Welcome to the EfD Annual Report for 2024 – reflecting yet another busy year for the world and for EfD.

Let me start on a positive note. In 2024, the global development community was busy developing and implementing international agreements. The UN Summit of the Future in New York in September 2024 argued for bold steps to go “beyond GDP” and include more ecosystem services in national accounts. A more inclusive approach to our natural capital was also reflected in the UN Biodiversity Conference in Colombia in October, which later agreed on a resource mobilization strategy for the earlier agreed Global Biodiversity Framework. Finally, at COP29 in Baku, it was decided to triple financing to developing countries in support of adaptation and mitigation measures. These are impressive outcomes given the backlash that the world sees when it comes to environmental and climate action, as well as combined challenges to democracy and knowledge-based policy that the world is experiencing. These challenges call us to reflect on how we work and with whom we engage to address the overwhelming environmental challenges that the world is facing.

For EfD, 2024 was also busy. In May 2024, an ambitious external evaluation of the network was presented. It concluded that EfD's research remains highly relevant locally and is driving substantial impact while maintaining rigorous international academic standards. In June, our Advisory Board adopted a new strategy for 2025-2029, and based on these, Sida later extended its support to the EfD Global Program for another three years.

The actual work of EfD, and some of the results we are contributing to beyond publications and workshops, are highlighted in the report. The report's structure follows the EfD impact model you see here. In our impact stories, you find how research has a real impact on society. This is a result of policy engagement, research, academic capacity building, and the strengthening of vibrant research centers with a strong interface with the surrounding society. Among many other things, you will find that the EfD researchers have produced over 500 knowledge products over the year and organized around 120 outreach activities, strengthening the interface between academia and policy throughout the world.

Back to the international processes mentioned above. EfD has, of course, contributed to these meetings, but the real contribution of EfD comes from the tireless work to strengthen the societal fabric that forms the foundation for knowledge-based policies to be developed and implemented as part of democratic processes throughout the Global South. I hope you will enjoy this glimpse into the world of EfD.

Gunnar Köhlin

EfD Director