Call for Research Proposals: FutureWORKS Collective West & Central Africa – Digital Transformation, Climate Change, and the Future of Work

Illustrative Image: Call for Research Proposals: FutureWORKS Collective West & Central Africa – Digital Transformation, Climate Change, and the Future of Work
Image Source & Credit: USSER UG
Ownership and Usage Policy

Thematic Focus

The hub encourages proposals that reflect interdisciplinary approaches, include a gender perspective, and give visibility to disadvantaged groups in labour markets such as women, gender-diverse populations, youth, migrants, ethnic minorities, and workers in vulnerable conditions.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• Incorporate comparative cross-country analysis within the region

• Engage with one or more of the following focus areas:

  • Digital technologies and their impact on the world of work

  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation, particularly as they affect labour markets

  • The future of work in agriculture-based economies, a key sector in West and Central Africa

Proposal Requirements

Each submission should include both a narrative proposal and a detailed budget.

Narrative Proposal Components:

• Title of Proposed Study

• Participating Institutions / Implementing Organization

• Principal Investigator(s) (with emphasis on gender diversity in research teams)

• Abstract

• Context and Background

• Research Problem and Justification

• Objectives and Research Questions

• Research Design and Methodology

• Proposed Interventions

• Project Timeline (illustrated with a chart)

• Expected Results and Dissemination Strategy

• Policy Impact Plan

• Potential Users and Uses of the Research

• Outreach Strategy

• Partner Organization Profile(s)

• Team Profiles of core members

Budget: Clear financial plan aligned with project scope.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed on the basis of:

• Relevance to the program’s thematic focus

• The rigor and feasibility of the research design

• The degree of gender inclusivity and representation of vulnerable groups

• Comparative and cross-country perspectives

• Potential for policy influence and practical impact

Application Timeline

• Call Opens: September 2025

• Deadline for Submission: September 30, 2025

• Review and Selection: Following submission, proposals will undergo a competitive review process.

👉 [Apply Here]

Why This Matters

The future of work in West and Central Africa will be shaped by three powerful forces:

1. Digital Transformation – Automation, AI, and digital platforms are disrupting traditional employment structures while creating new forms of work.

2. Climate Change – The twin imperatives of mitigation and adaptation are altering livelihoods, especially in agriculture, which remains the backbone of many economies in the region.

3. Labour Market Inequalities – Persistent structural barriers continue to disadvantage women, youth, and informal workers.

By investing in locally led, evidence-based research, the FutureWORKS Collective aims to strengthen policy frameworks, equip governments and communities with data-driven insights, and empower vulnerable groups to adapt to and benefit from these transformations.

✨ Conceptual Note:
The FutureWORKS initiative is more than a funding call—it represents a paradigm shift in research on labour and development. By rooting research in the Global South, it challenges traditional knowledge hierarchies where insights are often imported rather than locally produced. It values contextual relevance, gender equity, and policy linkages, ensuring that research is not only academic but also actionable. This positions the program as a bridge between evidence and policymaking, enabling West and Central Africa to navigate the future of work with resilience, inclusivity, and innovation.