Matchmaking for Public Policy Funding – Initial Dialogue with Private Sector and Philanthropy Organisations

Recognizing the appetite for social science research for development in Indonesia and the funding questions that surround research for public policy, KSI called on more than 30 representatives from Indonesia’s leading private sector firms, philanthropic organizations and policy research institutes to discuss challenges and opportunities to bridging the gap between researchers and public policy for development. Held at KSI Office on November 5, the representatives from Ministry of Finance were also present to explain existing policy on donations to R&D that can be claimed as revenue reduction from tax obligation.

Matchmaking for Public Policy Funding – Initial Dialogue with Private Sector and Philanthropy Organisations

Recognizing the appetite for social science research for development in Indonesia and the funding questions that surround research for public policy, KSI called on more than 30 representatives from Indonesia’s leading private sector firms, philanthropic organizations and policy research institutes to discuss challenges and opportunities to bridging the gap between researchers and public policy for development. Held at KSI Office on November 5, the representatives from Ministry of Finance were also present to explain existing policy on donations to R&D that can be claimed as revenue reduction from tax obligation.

Medelina K. Hendytio from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said that, “As a research organisation, we do not know where to find information on philanthropic funding. There is a need to have a communication platform or a forum about how to access this funding.”

Against this backdrop, the KSI discussion was designed to fill that gap and answer unresolved questions, such as do private sector intend to invest in social science research and, if so, how? What is the interest level of family-run foundations and the Indonesian High Net Worth Individuals as those individuals with at least USD 1 million in liquid, investable assets to support local research organisations?

During the dialogue, representatives from the private sector and philanthropic institutions presented their view on these questions. Many of them outlined the challenges of tackling fundamental problems in education, local economy and social protection and called on researchers to help produce the evidence needed to create innovative, cross-sectoral programs.

“The dialogue was a good foundation for further discussion between the private sector and policy research institutes,” said Hamid Abidin, the Executive Director from Perhimpunan Filantropi Indonesia (PFI). “The policy research institutes must understand that tangible outputs and benefits are important for the private sector and philanthropic foundations, and this would require a strategy.”  In a separate occasion, Triana Krisandini, The Tanoto Foundation’s partnership manager appreciated this effort by KSI. “The dialogue was helpful in a way to understand that there was a missing link to connect research-suppliers and research-demanders in Indonesia,” she said.

KSI aims to continue the conversation with a follow-up dialogue to gather more information, collect good practices and identify further challenges concerning the relationship between philanthropy and policy research institutes. The key is to identify and map out, what works and what doesn’t work from the perspective of the private sector, HNWI, family foundations, policy research institutes and the government when it comes to innovation and social science research.

Moving forward, collaboration is key. Getting the philanthropists, foundations and researchers together is the first step toward engagement and collaboration.” explained Budiati Prasetiamartati, a program manager with KSI.

Meanwhile, KSI will continue to holding the dialogue on some of Indonesia’s policy researcher organizations, convening working group discussions to openly explore the extent to which research contributes to public policy in Indonesia. These will help to bridge the gap, and connect the innovative researchers with private sector organizations and family foundations looking to fund research. 
 

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