Since 2011, the Office of Astronomy for Development is supporting projects where astronomy contributes to sustainability
The Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) is a joint project of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF), supported by the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI). Established in 2011, the OAD aims to use astronomy and its resources—such as skills, technology, and infrastructure—as tools to promote sustainable development and address societal challenges on a global scale.
Basic sciences play a critical role in achieving sustainable development; however, this is not always straightforward to demonstrate. Astronomy uniquely contributes to sustainable development through its interdisciplinary nature, technological advancements, and cultural significance. As a field deeply intertwined with physics, chemistry, and engineering, astronomy fosters innovation in areas such as electronics, optics, and software development. It also serves as a gateway to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, inspiring curiosity and critical thinking across diverse communities.
Activities aligned with SDGs
It is not always immediately obvious how the tools, methods, and content of astronomy align with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, over the years, the OAD has ensured that its work aligns with these goals. The picture above shows the UN’s SDGs with notes indicating some goals addressed through OAD initiatives.
To maximize its global impact, the OAD has established 11 Regional Offices (ROADs) and Language Centres (LOADs) worldwide, each tailored to specific regional, cultural, or linguistic needs. With the support of these ROADs and LOADs, the OAD strategically funds and coordinates projects through its annual call for proposals, focusing on using astronomy to address sustainable development challenges.
The OAD Annual Call for Proposals
The OAD releases an annual call for proposals to support projects that use astronomy, space science, and related topics to tackle challenges in communities and regions, thereby fostering sustainable development and societal well-being. Thirteen calls have been successfully conducted to date.
The call is intended for small to medium-sized projects, offering a modest grant to help them get started. To ensure sustainability, projects are encouraged to seek additional funding from local institutions and international bodies alongside the grant received from the OAD.
To date, the OAD has supported 236 projects in 112 countries across five continents, with a total of 1.4 million euros allocated to these initiatives. In 2025, the OAD will support 14 astronomy- for-development projects worldwide, targeting countries in Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, Australia, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. The map below shows a geographical distribution of the projects funded by the OAD through the annual call for proposals and its regional offices and language centers.
Geographical distribution of the projects funded by the OAD through the annual call for proposals and its regional offices and language centres
Astronomy for Development in Africa
Of the 11 regional offices of the OAD, three are based on the African continent: Ethiopia for the East African Region, Zambia for the Southern African Region, and Nigeria for the West African Region. These offices support the countries in their respective regions by overseeing funded projects or carrying out their own astronomy-for-development initiatives. A summary of an impact report covering the period from 2013 to 2020 indicates that the majority of funded projects are located within Africa, with 39% in Sub-Saharan Africa. The largest investment of OAD annual grant initiatives is in Africa, constituting over 380,000 euros in more than 20 African countries. These projects address education, gender equity, economic growth, and social inclusion.
The OAD Flagship Projects
Based on past project experiences, input from regional offices, consultations with development professionals, and an analysis of international trends related to the UN SDGs, the OAD has identified key “themes” under which funded and flagship projects are categorized. Currently, the OAD focuses on three flagship projects:
Flagship Project 1: Astrotourism
The first flagship project, “Astrotourism,” falls under the theme “Astronomy for Socio-Economic Development.” This initiative leverages astronomical facilities such as observatories and planetariums to stimulate socio-economic benefits for local communities in dark-sky regions. The OAD has developed resources for rural communities, observatory-adjacent communities, and tourism businesses to help them incorporate nighttime activities into their offerings.
Flagship Project 2: Astronomy for Mental Health
The second flagship project, “Astronomy for Mental Health,” aims to harness the inspirational potential of astronomy to improve mental well-being. Pilot projects have included writing retreats in remote dark-sky areas, online workshops for students, and art therapy incorporating astronomy concepts.
Flagship Project 3: Hack4Dev
The third flagship project, “Hack4Dev,” falls under the theme “Astronomy Knowledge and Skills Development.” This initiative leverages skills used in astronomy, such as programming, data handling, data analysis, and machine learning, to advance development objectives. The Hack4Dev initiative is a collaboration with the African Astronomical Society, the Inter-University Institute for Data Intensive Astronomy, Ilifu Cloud Computing, and Development in Astronomy DARA Big Data.
The next call for proposals will be released in April, with the application deadline set for May 31, 2025. This call is open to anyone from any country and any field. There are various opportunities to become involved with the OAD, either by volunteering at the OAD office or regional offices or by reaching out to discuss ideas on how astronomy can be used for development.
For more information, email the OAD at info@astro4dev.org or visit www.astro4dev.org.`
Joyful Elma Mdhluli, IAU Office of Astronomy for Development, South Africa
This article has been published by the African Physics Newsletter in April 2025. It is reproduced with the authorization of the American Physical Society.
