Even though the quantity and quality of Indonesia’s research continue to increase, many research findings have not been used to formulate public policy. We view that it is important to use evidence and recommendations from a research study to enrich stakeholders’ perspective in policymaking that would impact the welfare of many people’s lives. Therefore, throughout 2017 SMERU has been intensively involved in the policymaking process, especially those related to efforts in reducing poverty and inequality. Several of SMERU research studies have contributed to policymaking. The studies included research on the implementation of Village Law, the development of sustainable livelihood, urban-village inequality, village poverty, gender equality, and disability.

SMERU has been actively advocating for the use of research-based evidence as an important factor in policymaking by holding discussions with various ministries and institutions. Furthermore, SMERU also initiated a series of policy discussion to facilitate a dialogue between policymakers, researchers, academics, and civil society, as well as other relevant stakeholders. The Research Sharing Meeting held in February 2017 in Mataram and the Forum of Development Studies held in October 2017 in Jakarta were two of SMERU’s biggest activities as a dialogue facilitator. The co-operation with the West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Government in hosting the Research Sharing Meeting in Mataram realized SMERU’s efforts to support evidence-based policymaking in the region, especially towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. 

In the coming years, SMERU will intensify communication and dialogue with regional stakeholders and the private sector. SMERU will explore possibilities for research collaboration to study regional poverty and steps that could be taken to solve the problem. SMERU will explore possibilities to collaborate with the private sector in order to encourage them to move towards achieving inclusive development.

Moreover, SMERU will also continue to increase its contribution to the national policymaking process. Starting next year, the government will begin preparing for the 2020–2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan. This is an important moment for SMERU to maintain its contribution in the policymaking process. Therefore, SMERU will continue to conduct relevant research to improve the well-being of the poor and vulnerable, as well as actively advocate its research findings and facilitate policy dialogues.

To be able to improve research and policy discussion, SMERU will continue to develop the organization and increase the number of its staff. This development is also supported by initiatives to maintain SMERU’s quality of work and improve its financial independence. To achieve these aims, SMERU conducted a midline evaluation for its 2015–2019 Strategic Plan in October 2017 and formulated several strategic steps needed to be taken in the next two years.

Many of SMERU’s experiences up to 2017 and the plans to develop the organization reflected SMERU’s efforts to increase its capacity to produce high quality research. This resulted in an increased trust amongst policymakers, stakeholders, and donors to continue collaborating with SMERU. For that, I thank all of the staff for their hard work and dedication, the advisors and trustees for their direction and guidance, and all of SMERU’s partners for their support and collaboration.