ERFAN 

The project

ERFAN II aims at consolidating and expanding the VS network to strategically improve – through capacity building, innovation and synergies – disease diagnosis, control and surveillance systems, ultimately contributing to global efforts for One Health in Africa.

ERFAN II activities are organised into three Work Packages (WPs) and structured around three complementary Strategic Pillars.

WORK PACKAGES

Our Work Packages

Click on each icon to know more about our WP!

Person Working

WP 1

Project Management

Pillar 1 · Improving diagnostic capacities through networking activities

Person Working

WP 2

WGs Activities

Pillar 2 · Enhancing skills through training and technology transfer

Person Working

WP 3

Project Management

Pillar 3 · Building capacity
through research programs

WORK PACKAGES 1

Project management

WP1 focuses on overall project coordination and management, favouring the growth of the ERFAN Network and preparing for actions beyond the project lifetime to ensure long-term sustainability.

The overall aim of WP1 is to ensure an efficient and transparent implementation of the project.

The specific objectives of WP1 are:

  • To ensure efficient liaison with the WOAH and carry out the contractual obligations regarding legal, financial and administrative management;

  • To enable adequate coordination and communication between the different governing bodies and within the project partnership and network;

  • To ensure efficient project management and risk assessment related to the project implementation for the achievement of the expected outcomes;

  • To support Working Groups activities and maintain close cooperation among their coordinators;

  • To promote capacity building and enhance the collaboration between the ERFAN Network and its main stakeholders, with a particular focus on VS Competent Authorities and CVOs.

WORK PACKAGES 2

WGs Activities

WP2 focuses on the activities of thematic Working Groups to address the priority challenges in VS across the involved African partner countries.The overall aim of WP1 is to ensure an efficient and transparent implementation of the project.

The specific objectives of WP2, transversally to priority diseases, are:

  • Strengthen diagnostic and surveillance systems in participating countries to improve the detection, control, and prevention of priority diseases;

  • Develop and implement training programs to enhance technical and scientific capacities;

  • Promote collaborative research projects;

  • Facilitate knowledge exchange and foster sustainable partnerships between African and Italian institutions;

  • Ensure integration of WOAH standards and guidelines.

The ERFAN II Working Groups are listed below:

Working Groups Table
WGs — Northern Africa WGs — Southern Africa Italian Coordinator Northern Africa Coordinator Southern Africa Coordinator
« Bien-être des animaux » « Animal Welfare » IZSAM Only one group ENMV (Tunisia) UP (South Africa)
« UNE SEULE SANTÉ » : Fièvre charbonneuse « ONE HEALTH » : Anthrax IZSPB AHI (Ethiopia) UP (South Africa)
« UNE SEULE SANTÉ » : Tuberculose bovine « ONE HEALTH » : Bovine Tuberculosis IZSM IAV Hassan II (Morocco) ARC-OVR (South Africa)
« UNE SEULE SANTÉ » : Brucelloses « ONE HEALTH » : Brucellosis IZSAM DGSV (Tunisia) CVL (Zimbabwe)
« Mycoplasmoses des petits ruminants et RAM » « Animal Mycoplasmoses and AMR » IZSSI Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et des Recherches Vétérinaires (LNERV), Senegal BNVL (Botswana)
« Péripneumonie contagieuse bovine »** « Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia »** IZSAM Laboratoire National de l'Elevage et des Recherches Vétérinaires (LNERV), Senegal BNVL (Botswana)
« UNE SEULE SANTÉ » : Encéphalopathies spongiformes transmissibles « ONE HEALTH » : Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies IZSPLV Ecole Mohammed VI Médecine Vétérinaire & Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II (Morocco) UNAM (Namibia)
** Disease-specific Working Group activated in selected partner countries.

WORK PACKAGES 3

Communication & Dissemination

WP3 is dedicated to implementing communication and dissemination measures to ensure that the activities and outcomes of the ERFAN Network are effectively shared with both internal and external audiences.

The specific objectives of WP3 are:

  • Facilitate internal communication: establish a continuous and open communication channel to facilitate internal communication among WGs and Governing Bodies, established within the ERFAN website and other internal tools;

  • Conduct a detailed stakeholders’ analysis: identify target audiences and define roles, responsibilities, timelines, and methods for achieving communication and dissemination goals tailored to each audience;

  • Develop a Communication and Dissemination Plan: define activities with a focus on stakeholder group analysis, communication strategies, key messages, evaluation indicators, and expected impacts;

  • Maintain digital presence: ensure the regular maintenance, and optimisation of the ERFAN website and social media channels to enhance visibility and outreach;

  • Produce targeted communication materials: including leaflets, press releases, newsletters, conference signage, kits, and other resources to support outreach efforts;

  • Evaluate communication impact: monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication and dissemination activities to ensure continuous improvement.