The Future of Evidence-Informed Policy in a Post-USAID World? An opportunity for funders and think tanks
Dear OTT Community,
The recent news of Trump’s proposed suspension of USAID funding—and the potential closure or radical reform of the agency—should concern anyone invested in evidence-informed policymaking.
Under the familiar banner of?America First, such a move will undoubtedly slow down efforts to localise development assistance, weakening direct support to local organisations and reinforcing reliance on foreign intermediaries.
But the impact won’t stop at U.S. borders. The ripple effects of these decisions could be far-reaching. Multilateral donors who rely on US foreign assistance will certainly adjust their funding - the WHO is the first one to suspend their support. Aligned governments with bilateral aid programmes may take note, adjusting their own funding strategies accordingly, while those less aligned may see it as an opportunity to appease growing opposition.
After all, not many people care that much about international development and will be more interested in what their governments will do about the cost of eggs, access to health services, jobs, etc.
The broader message is clear: major bilateral and multilateral donors are reconsidering their commitment to international development, and that uncertainty alone is enough to destabilise fragile policy research ecosystems.
Even more troubling is how the Trump administration and the responses to it will embolden authoritarian regimes. In many parts of the world, civic space is already shrinking. Governments hostile to dissent may use this moment to justify further constraints on think tanks, tighten restrictions on foreign funding, and curtail independent policy research. “If they do it in the US, why can’t we?”
Without robust support structures, local institutions could find themselves more vulnerable than ever.
This is a moment for reflection—but also for action. Philanthropic foundations and progressive donors can double down on localisation, investing in strong local institutions that can sustain evidence-informed policymaking and vibrant policy debate. The future of independent expertise and policy innovation depends on it.
OTT offers support to funders who wish to tackle this challenge head-on. Find out more.
Until next month,
OTT Founder & Director
OTT Blogs: New Content
Think tanks and impact—the theme of the 2025 OTT Conference—goes beyond policy adoption. Think tanks shape dialogues, build capacity, and generate ideas that drive broader societal change. In this article, Estefanía delves into the diverse ways think tanks influence the policy ecosystem and how redefining impact helps them demonstrate value, strengthen partnerships, and navigate complexity.
Evidence-informed policymaking is far from straightforward. It requires navigating systemic resistance, aligning with political and social contexts, and integrating diverse inputs. Evidence-informed transformational scaling and sustainable reforms demand a shift from linear models to more dynamic, relational and political approaches. These lessons from Peru’s MineduLab and broader?global experiences?offer valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.
As the Western Balkans move toward EU accession, think tanks play a vital role in driving reforms and safeguarding democracy. Gjergji Vurmo highlights the sector’s challenges under hybrid regimes and the need to revive peer exchange and capacity-building.
A new research?paper?by The Brenthurst Foundation has shown that while Africa has a proud history of think tanks, many of these institutions face serious challenges that undermine their ability to play a unique role in Africa’s development. This blog post will give a short overview of the paper by discussing its key findings and recommendations with the aim of providing some constructive guidance to think tanks across the African continent.
OTT Talks
The OTT Podcast is back!
OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research. This season focuses on think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations.
Episode 1: In an era marked by political shifts, economic transitions, and changing donor landscapes, how do think tanks in the Western Balkans remain relevant and impactful?
In this OTT Talks episode with Sonja Stojanovic Gajic, PhD , former director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, we dive into the unique challenges and opportunities facing policy institutions in the Balkans region.
Episode 2: How can think tanks stay independent and impactful in a rapidly changing Europe?
In our latest episode of OTT Talks, Peter Kreko PhD. , Director of the Political Capital Institute,?discusses how think tanks in Hungary and across Central and Eastern Europe are navigating shrinking donor support, political pressures, and shifting policy landscapes.
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Research Support Service
2025 is already shaping major global development discussions. At the Research Support Service (RSS), we’re tracking key trends, from the impact of Trump’s re-election on foreign aid and multilateral funding to the upcoming Financing for Development Conference in June, where debt sustainability and multilateral reform will take centre stage. Here’s a snapshot of recent analysis shaping these debates—get in touch for deeper insights, or follow?Global Research Insights?on LinkedIn for more.
Key Readings:
Get in touch: Edris Nikjooy
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We are committed to advancing evidence-informed decision-making on matters of public interest. This strand of our work seeks to support, build and champion individuals and organisations who generate and communicate research evidence.
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The School For Thinktankers 2025 kicked off at Fundació Bofill in Barcelona, Spain, with an inspiring welcome session, setting the stage for an exciting week of learning, collaboration, and growth.
Want to be part of this journey? The School for Thinktankers returns in 2026! Submit your early-bird application now.
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