4. Policy engagement and research transfer

Key Achieved Milestones:

Under the leadership of ACIPH, the Policy Engagement and Research Transfer Work Package has made substantial progress in aligning research with policy priorities. A country-specific policy mapping framework was developed and finalized, synthesizing Ethiopia’s key adolescent and youth policy documents across DASH’s three priority domains: nutrition and physical activity, mental health and violence, and sexual and reproductive health. ACIPH actively participated in policy cascade and imperative meetings, contributing to the development of a policy engagement strategy document to guide evidence-to-policy translation within the consortium.
The African Think Tank launch event, co-hosted with CAH-SSA, marked a major milestone in strengthening continental collaboration for adolescent health policy. ACIPH also led stakeholder engagement sessions involving the Ethiopian Minister and State Minister of Health, UN representatives, NGOs, youth associations, and academic institutions. Additionally, an Adolescent and Youth Advisory Board (AYAB) was established, including two Ethiopian youth members, to ensure young voices inform policy dialogue and research priorities.
Future Plans:
The upcoming period will focus on implementing the policy engagement strategy, deepening partnerships with government bodies, and integrating research findings into ongoing national adolescent health initiatives. Plans include developing policy briefs, hosting targeted stakeholder dialogues, and facilitating youth-led policy discussions. ACIPH will continue to lead efforts that bridge research evidence and policymaking, ensuring that DASH findings directly inform strategies to improve adolescent health and wellbeing in Ethiopia.