The think tank brings together individuals/institutions of unique competences to distil development ideas and generate knowledge that become important reference for the region’s development agenda. The think tank aims to give factual information relevant for prioritising and planning development programs and creating a buzz around important issues in the region-causing different actors to respond in ways that benefit the community. Through its operational structures, the think tank commissions relevant researches and ensures the research outcomes are widely utilised by prior engaging in a bottom up process of determining the research projects.