WEST AFRICAN SCIENCE SERVICES CENTRE ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTED LAND USE

Their core work

WASCAL is a West African intergovernmental research centre focused on climate change science and sustainable land use across the region. They provide climate services, early warning systems, and environmental monitoring infrastructure tailored to African conditions. In EU-funded projects, they serve as the African partner bridging European research with West African climate realities — contributing local data, regional expertise, and connections to African research networks. Their work spans water security, greenhouse gas observations, food security, and citizen-driven environmental behaviour change.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

WASCAL's early H2020 participation (2016-2020) centred on building Africa-EU research bridges — water and climate cooperation through AfriAlliance and greenhouse gas research infrastructure through SEACRIFOG. Both were Coordination and Support Actions focused on networks and infrastructure rather than direct implementation. Their most recent project, I-CHANGE (2021-2025), marks a shift toward applied, citizen-facing work: behavioural change tools, carbon footprint data processing, and nature-based solutions — their first Innovation Action and their largest grant by far.

WASCAL is moving from pure research coordination toward applied environmental tools and citizen-driven climate action, with growing budgets suggesting increasing trust from EU funders.

How they like to work

WASCAL operates exclusively as a participant — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for non-EU organisations bringing regional expertise into European-led consortia. They work in mid-to-large consortia (47 unique partners across 22 countries), indicating they are comfortable in complex, multi-partner environments. Their role is that of a trusted African anchor partner rather than a project driver, making them valuable for any consortium needing genuine West African reach.

WASCAL has collaborated with 47 unique partners across 22 countries, giving them a remarkably wide network for an organisation with only 3 projects. This breadth reflects their position as a go-to African partner in large EU-Africa cooperation consortia.

What sets them apart

WASCAL occupies a rare niche: a West African intergovernmental centre with direct H2020 experience, making them one of the few African organisations that can genuinely bridge EU research with ground-level climate realities in the Sahel and coastal West Africa. Their involvement across water, food security, GHG monitoring, and citizen engagement means they can contribute to diverse climate-related proposals. For any consortium needing credible African partnership — not tokenistic but operationally meaningful — WASCAL is an established and tested choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• I-CHANGE
  Their largest grant (EUR 204,845) and first Innovation Action, marking a strategic shift toward applied citizen engagement and behavioural change tools.
• SEACRIFOG
  Directly addresses greenhouse gas observation infrastructure for Africa — a critical gap in global climate monitoring networks.
• AfriAlliance
  Five-year Africa-EU innovation alliance on water and climate, establishing WASCAL's credentials as a long-term EU-Africa bridge organisation.