The Country Connectors initiative was launched in 2022, and builds on Research4Life’s mission to bridge the global knowledge gap by embedding expertise directly within countries. Country Connectors act as on-the-ground catalysts, working with universities, libraries, ministries and research networks to:

• Strengthen information access and use;
• Build skills and confidence among researchers and librarians;
• Support local publishing and open science; and
• Foster national and regional research communities.

The initiative is a locally driven approach and it ensures that Research4Life becomes a foundation for sustainable research ecosystems. The program reached a new level of scale and influence in 2025 where:

• 14 countries were engaged across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe;
• 420+ institutions were supported;
• 18,000+ individuals were trained through workshops, webinars, and mentorship;
• Five languages were used, enabling broader inclusion; and
• 58.6% of trainees were women, highlighting a strong commitment to gender equity.

Behind these numbers is a shift from researchers as consumers of knowledge to producers and contributors within the global research community.

For further information on the work of Country Connectors, visit here