Integrated Multi-vector-borne diseases Platform to Assess how global Change impacts Transmission using Innovative systems modeling, Novel monitoring tools, and transmission blockinG micro-organisms

Determining how climate and global change are driving the geographical variation of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) transmission dynamics is essential to measure current and future risks and to effectively roll out innovative surveillance and vector control strategies aiming at reducing the burden for the most vulnerable populations, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). IMPACTING aims to: 1) model the risk of VBDs spread under global change focusing on mosquitoes (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever), tsetse (human African trypanosomiasis), blackflies (onchocerciasis) and ticks (Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever); 2) develop vector monitoring and pathogen diagnostic tools for improved surveillance; 3) develop robust pipelines to identify transmission blocking micro-organisms within vectors and define innovative VBD control strategies; 4) engage local rural and urban communities to co-develop solutions for VBD monitoring and control, bypassing current community level barriers; 5) develop a multi-VBD risk prediction dashboard to facilitate evidence-based policy making focused on innovative control strategies resilient to climate change. IMPACTING is built on a consortium of eight research institutes, three universities and one SME - based in Kenya, Cameroon, Mozambique, France and Portugal. It gathers expertise in social sciences, entomology, ecology, epidemiology, genomics, bioinformatics, modelling and software development, fostering an interdisciplinary approach. IMPACTING draws on extensive experience in other EU projects and strong fruitful collaborations to fill the gap in knowledge and innovation for VBDs and vector control in SSA and globally. IMPACTING aligns with the Africa CDC Strategic Plan 2023-27 and EU global health strategy. It focuses on improving health security through African leadership in research and innovation, combining digital and biological sciences, capacity building, and engagement with African communities and public health actors.