Dear OTT Community,
Welcome to the first Newsletter of 2025.
We are looking forward to an exciting year in evidence-informed policy.
Before the end of the year, I considered the ‘20 to watch and learn from’ organisations and initiatives of 2024. I am keen to keep a close look at them throughout 2025.
I also went down memory lane by exploring the literature on evidence-informed policy that shaped the start of my career 20 years ago.
I found recurring themes and concerns that are still as relevant today as they were then.
Polarisation, in all its forms, worries me for 2025.
The way that Donald Trump’s presidency is shaping and, most recently, Big Tech’s abdication of efforts to restrict misinformation should worry us all.
The U.S. is still a dominant player globally. Its actions influence others. I expect more leaders will adopt Trump’s rhetoric - even those currently hailed as progressives - in pursuit of political goals.
More than ever, I think we need to invest in a more nuanced understanding of the possibilities and limits of evidence in shaping the narratives and policies that affect our societies. More than ever, I think we need to invest in healthy local think tank communities.
Through our various workstreams and flagship On Think Tanks programme, we hope to continue making a difference.
I look forward to working with you in 2025. Talk to me and find out how!
Until next month,
Enrique Mendizabal
OTT Founder & Director
Upcoming Events
Last chance to apply for the School for Thinktankers
Applications for the School for Thinktankers 2025 are now open until 17 January. Take this final opportunity to learn from top experts, sharpen your leadership skills, and grow your global network.
Limited spots available!
Attend the OTT 2025 Conference
The OTT Conference is back!
Join think tank leaders, funders and policy experts from around the world in June 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, hosted in partnership with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), and the New South Institute (NSI).
Work with us: OTT Consulting
We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision-making.
We develop tailored solutions to specific challenges, partnering with our clients to drive evidence-informed change. Our services span:
Funding of evidence-informed policy
We provide end-to-end support for funders of evidence-informed policy, from strategy and portfolio design to grantee engagement, MEL, and learning partnerships. Our tailored services help enhance impact, foster collaboration, and build sustainable, adaptive funding practices.
Evidence generation & communication
We support evidence-informed decision-making by building organisational capacity and enhancing ecosystems for sustainable research impact. From strategic planning and capacity building to convening and learning, we connect funders, think tanks, and evidence users to drive change globally.
Evidence use
We drive evidence-informed action with research, strategy, MEL, and capacity building. Focusing on power dynamics, organisational change, and think tanks, we connect global actors, foster learning, and amplify impact with trusted insights and embedded communications.
Research Support Service
We deliver research and analysis support to organisations across the international development sector. We connect major actors with Global South knowledge and perspectives, empowering changemakers to deliver impactful solutions.
