Dear OTT Community,
Over the past year, we’ve supported a range of conversations between funders and think tanks from formal consultations to informal exchanges. All have raised important questions about what it takes to build genuine partnerships.
Our most recent dialogue, between African think tanks and the IMF just before the OTT Conference in Johannesburg, brought many of these reflections to light. The discussions were honest, constructive, and at times uncomfortable but they showed us that the most productive conversations happen when funders come to listen, and when think tanks feel safe to speak candidly. These spaces are not easy to create, but they are essential. In the coming weeks, I’ll share a few thoughts on what we’ve learned and what it might mean for the future of our sector.
In this newsletter, you’ll also find updates on our broader work to support the evidence-informed policy ecosystem. We’ve launched a new hub to help parliaments make better use of evidence. Our education policy labs (EdLabs) continue to grow, testing new ways to connect research, policy and practice. And we’re spotlighting African-led approaches to education research, which shift ownership and leadership to where it’s most needed.
We’re also expanding our advisory programme to provide tailored support to think tank leaders. In parallel, we’re offering reflection and fresh ideas on how to evolve and reimagine funding models and its effect on financials and impact. And through our Best Practice Series, we’re curating practical insights on governance, communications, MEL and more.
As always, we invite you to explore our work and share this newsletter with your network.
Until next month,
Enrique Mendizabal
OTT Consulting: Helping you to deliver your missions
Supporting Funders
African Education Research Funding Consortium (AERFC) Learning Session | Making Co-funding work: Opportunities and Challenges
How can funders make co-funding work in practice? In this insightful discussion, Andrea Ordóñez Llanos and Julie LaFrance explore the real-world challenges and opportunities of co-funding, from operational hurdles and governance models to shifts in global philanthropy and choosing the right funding approach.
Watch the full recording here.
Interested in supporting African-led education research? Join the AERFC network.
Supporting Think Tanks
Understanding, documenting and communicating impact for think tanks
As part of OTT’s Advisory programme for think tank leaders we have been exploring how different funders understand and assess the impact of the think tanks they support. These insights will help our clients make better informed decisions about how they document and communicate their impact. As always we will share lessons with the wider think tank community.
Best Practice series
Looking for actionable guidance on how to run and strengthen a think tank? Explore our Best Practice Series a growing collection of short, practical pieces based on real-world experiences. From governance and communications to funding and research uptake, these resources are designed to support leaders, funders and practitioners working to build more effective, resilient organisations.
In their own words: Participant voices from the 2025 OTT Conference
What does it mean to be part of a global community of think tankers, researchers, and policy professionals? In this video, participants of the 2025 OTT Conference share what stood out to them, from meaningful conversations and new connections to bold questions on impact and the role of think tanks today.Watch their reflections and get a glimpse of the energy and exchange that defined this year’s conference in Johannesburg.
Evidence use in education
Evidence use in Community-Led Learning Ecosystems | An OTT Talks Live episode with Jacobs Foundation
How is evidence understood, shared, and used in Community-Led Learning Ecosystems? In this conversation, hosted by Enrique Mendizabal, Marcela Morales, Ross Hall, and Yasmine Bekkouche unpack the findings of a new OTT report, highlighting insights from Ghana and reflections for funders and policymakers.
Watch the full video and explore the report here.
You can download the report’s learning brief here.
Featured content
- Making research matter in fragile regions: Lessons from Iraq By Noor Omer
Listening, Learning, Leading: A Youth Perspective from OTT Conference 2025, by Marie Chapot
Reflections from OTT Conference 2025: Think tanks and impact
Series pages to dive into:
Do you have insights, case studies, or research to share? Submit your article to reach a global audience of policy experts, change-makers, and thought leaders.
News & Events
School for Thinktankers 2026
The 10th edition of the School for Thinktankers returns to Fundació Bofill in Barcelona in 2026. Apply now!
Coming soon: 2025 State of the Sector Report
What’s driving optimism and concern across the global think tank landscape? This year’s report draws on data from over 330 organisations worldwide to uncover the sector’s key trends, challenges, and transformations. Stay tuned for the full launch! In the meantime, we invite you to explore previous editions.
Semana de la Evidencia 2025: 13-17 October 2025
You still have time to Register your event for the Semana de la Evidencia and join bold, inclusive conversations on how evidence is driving change across Latin America.
Jacobs Foundation LEVANTE 2025 Call for Proposals
This global opportunity supports projects that explore how children aged 5–12 learn in diverse and dynamic ways. Funding is available for small and large-scale studies, and we especially encourage proposals from researchers in the Global South. Apply by 19th August.
African Think Tank Platform: Call for Proposals
The African Union, with support from the World Bank, is inviting African think tanks to join forces and drive meaningful policy impact through the African Think Tank Platform (ATTP). Consortia of African think tanks can apply for funding to address critical issues such as climate change, economic transformation, and food security, with a strong emphasis on gender equity and regional collaboration. If your work is helping shape Africa’s future, this is your moment apply now.
- Central African Think Tank Forum
Under the theme “Shaping the Future: The Role of Think Tanks and Civil Society in Central Africa’s Policy Processes”, the conference will take place on 7–8 August at the Djeuga Palace Hotel in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- Inter-American Dialogue Launches Brazil Programme
The Inter-American Dialogue has launched its Brazil Programme, the only Washington-based initiative focused exclusively on Brazil. Led by expert Bruna Santos, it will serve as a key platform for research, dialogue, and policy engagement on Brazil and its ties with the United States.
OTT Jobs board
Investigador Social Cuantitativo & Analista de Datos, More in Common España (€29,000 - €34,000)
Financial Innovation Scholar, Cato Institute ($90,000 - $175,000)
Specialist, Financial Crime Risk, and Specialist, Communications and Online Media, Basel Institute on Governance- Regional Policy Analyst, evergreen-intelligence (remote)
