Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast OTT Podcast

How have think tanks in Southern and Eastern Europe adapted to shifting political landscapes, evolving funding models, and growing challenges to policy influence?

In this episode, Vessela Tcherneva, Deputy Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), talks about the transformation of think tanks in the region over the past decade. From navigating political uncertainty to sustaining independent research, Vessela shares key insights from her leadership experience. She also talks about broader European trends in thinktanking, somewhat more diverse than in the continent's south and east. Through this conversation, we have the opportunity to explore the personal side of running a think tank—what keeps leaders motivated, the toughest challenges they face, and what the future holds for policy institutions in an era of disruption.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

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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.

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision-making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks, we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

In a region where democracy faces growing challenges and international funding is diminishing, how can think tanks remain independent, impactful, and relevant?

In this episode, Péter Krekó, Director of the Political Capital Institute in Hungary, shares insights into the evolving role of think tanks in Central and Eastern Europe. We discuss how think tank leaders navigate shrinking donor support, increasing political pressures, and the inconsistent demand for evidence-based policy advice.

Join us as we uncover the strategic decisions, successes, and challenges of running a think tank in a changing Europe, and explore the critical role these institutions play in shaping policy in uncertain times.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

------------------------------------

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.

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision-making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks, we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

OTT Talks to Grant Dalton, researcher at the Institute for Government (IFG), a leading British think tank, about the findings of a diversity and inclusion sector report he co-authored and published last year.

Guests: Kuranda Morgan, Evidence Lead in the evidence and experimentation team at Nesta; Mohammed Awal, Team Leader - social accountability and SDGs workstream at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development; and Abeba Taddese, Senior Program Director - evidence for decision making at Results for Development.

On Think Tanks Director, Enrique Mendizabal talks to David Sasaki, Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation about the need for more accountability in the philanthropic sector; what the job involves; and what it takes to do it well. 

Luis Orlandi, OTT Growth Manager, talks to Enrique Mendizabal, Founder and Director of OTT, about the challenges and opportunities for think tank fundraising.

Julia Pomares, Chief Advisor to the Government of the City of Buenos Aires and former CIPPEC Executive Director, talks to Emily Hayter, OTT Associate, about the shift from generating to using evidence and share recommendations to inform decision-making.

Estefanía Chavert, Head of Programmes at Southern Voice, talks to Enrique Mendizabal, Founder and Director of OTT, about her recent article “The Covid-19 Pandemic as an Opportunity for Leveraging Global South Research and Knowledge”.

Read the full article: https://bulletin.ids.ac.uk/index.php/idsbo/article/view/3173/3210

To celebrate International Youth Day, OTT Talks to Ibrahim Faruk from Yiaga Africa and the ‘Not too young to run’ movement in Nigeria, and Neringa Tumėnaitė, from  Humanity Consulting about how youth can shape and participate in politics and change. The conversation is hosted by Cristina Bacalso.

In this new OTT Talks, Joe Miller, Director of Soapbox Washington Studio, talks to Louise Ball, OTT Communications Director, about his new book Screens, research and hypertext.

Enrique Mendizabal, OTT Founder and Director, talks to Irene Pingkan Umboh from RTI International and Widjajanti Isdijoso from SMERU Research Institute. They look back over the last 10 years of the Knowledge Sector Initiative’s support to 16 think tanks in Indonesia.

For World Health Day, OTT Talks about scientific advisory systems and the global pandemic, with OTT's Marcela Morales and Enrique Mendizabal.  Read the full report: ‘Scientific advisory systems: experiences from across the world’, which includes an overview of key features and bodies of scientific advisory systems and response to COVID-19 in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Germany, Spain and the UK, here: https://onthinktanks.org/publications...

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? 

This is a bonus episode with Sonja Stojanovic-Gajic, former director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy. Listen to the full episode here.

------------------------------------

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.

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision-making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks, we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

For International Women's Day 2022, we have an OTT Talks about women in think tank leadership roles with Andrea Ordoñez, Director at Southern Voice, Fiona Moejes, Interim CEO at Mawazo Institute and Shannon Sutton, OTT Consultant.

In this episode of the OTT Podcast, Bob Wekesa tells us about the work he has been doing at the African Center for the Study of the United States, an institution dedicated to studying the impact of US political, economic and trade relations with African countries. He talks about the organisation’s research agenda, building partnerships with institutions across Africa and his vision for the Centre’s future.

OTT Talks episode with Dr. Annapoorna Ravichander, executive director of the Public Affairs Foundation in India, and OTT associate. In this episode, Annapoorna talks to Enrique Mendizabal about a new project to support the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Mysuru. ATI is a public training centres with the potential to reach civil servants at significant scale. By helping to strengthen ATI, the Public Affairs Foundation and the Public Affairs Centre are, in essence, contributing towards strengthening policymaking as a whole. 

OTT Talks episode with Dr. Chukwuka Onyekwena, executive director of CSEA, in Abuja. Dr. Onyekwena is a member of the steering committee of the West African Think Tank Network (WATTNet), a member of the African Policy Circle (APC), Global Economic Governance Africa (GEGAfrica) and Governance of Africa’s Resources Programme (GARN) both at the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

OTT Talks episode with Rose Abdollahzadeh, from Chatham House, on a new initiative to unleash the power of imagination to engage with the wider public. Rose talks about the Futurescape project offering advice to other think tanks who want to explore new and creative ways of communicating and engaging with their audiences. 

OTT Talks episode with Gala Díaz Langou, CIPPEC's new executive director, on the challenges and opportunities that think tanks face today. Gala reflects on her career at CIPPEC and her new role. 

OTT Talks with Oswaldo Molina about the new Peruvian think tank: Redes. Redes is a networked think tank that focuses on translating and communicating existing research to relevant policy audiences. 

OTT Talks with Safa about Tactical Tech's work on data privacy, digital security, how the internet and digital technologies affect our lives, and what we can do about it.

OTT Talks episode with Wailea about  foraus' grassroots model, their engagement with volunteers across Switzerland, and their work with interns and volunteers adapting to the COVID-19 crisis.

A conversation with Johannes Linn on scaling. This took place in the frame of a 11-week long scaling X change supported by IDRC and hosted by OTT. In the first part of the conversation Johannes presents a very clear introduction to scaling.  The second part includes a reflection by Enrique Mendizabal on how this connects to other research uptake and policymaking discussions. 

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? 

This episode with Sonja Stojanovic-Gajic, former director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, dives into the unique challenges and opportunities facing policy institutions in the Balkans region. From navigating democratic backsliding to adapting to reduced international funding, we explore how think tank leaders are innovating, building trust, and shaping the future of policy in a rapidly evolving world.

------------------------------------

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.

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a  space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

OTT Talks episode with Denisse Rodríguez from Voceras, an initiative to help women in think tanks and academia gain greater visibility in Peruvian media.

In this episode of OTT Talks, we explore the unique model of student-led think tanks and how the Building for the Future Initiative supports them through grants, capacity-building, and the facilitation of the exchange of ideas through multi-regional events. Join us to hear about the importance of multi-regional events in bringing fresh perspectives to European policy-making, including examples of successful cross-cultural ideas in action.

Can small and mid-sized think tanks survive the mounting challenges they're facing and the increasing costs of overcoming them? OTT Talks to Simon Maxwell about alternative think tank models and markets.

OTT Talks to Dana Schmidt, Programme Director at Echidna Giving about her role - the skills and values needed to be a funder, the power dynamics between grantees and funders, and the personal impact of the role.

OTT Talks to Liliana Alvarado, Executive Director of Mexican think tank Ethos, on what happens when think tanks have to take on a government watchdog role.

OTT Talks to Dr. Damien King, Executive Director of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), to explore the think tank sector in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.

OTT Talks to Dr. Abraham Ibn Zackaria, Deputy Director of Research in the Parliament of Ghana, shedding light on how evidence is used in Ghanaian policymaking.

[Please note that the sound quality in this episode is not optimal. Nonetheless, we believe the insights shared by Dr. Zackaria make it well worth listening to!]

In a rapidly shifting political landscape, how can think tanks continue to provide independent, evidence-based policy advice? What happens when international funding declines, domestic support remains uncertain, and democratic pressures intensify?

In this episode, we speak with Karolina Wigura, co-founder and board member of Kultura Liberalna, one of Poland’s leading think tanks. Drawing from over a decade of leadership, she reflects on the major transformations in the think tank ecosystem, the challenges of sustaining independent research, and the role of liberal thought in a country often associated with conservatism.

Karolina describes the origins of Kultura Liberalna: a tradition of “home seminars” which promote intellectual reflection and inter-generational progress. This origin is shared with the oldest think tank in existence (the Royal Society of Arts) and the earliest Latin American think tanks (Societies of Patriots set up at the end of the 1700s, before the independent process). 

Join us as we explore the strategic choices, successes, and hard lessons from running a think tank in a changing Europe—unpacking what the future holds for these vital institutions.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

To know more about Kultura Liberalna and the information discussed during this podcast, please visit: https://kulturaliberalna.pl/2018/02/27/kuisz-wigura-wywiad-jerzy-jedlicki/ 

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

In times of fundamental change, recognising the moment and acting accordingly is crucial. But how can think tanks remain resilient in an increasingly challenging environment? How can they collaborate to navigate uncertainty and strengthen their collective impact?

In this episode, we speak with Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist at the European Policy Centre (EPC). With over 15 years at EPC, Fabian has closely observed and shaped the evolution of think tanks in Brussels and across Europe. He reflects on the pressures facing policy research today, the funding challenges that come with political shifts, and the strategic decisions required to ensure long-term influence.

As Europe undergoes profound transformations, Fabian makes the case for greater cooperation between think tanks, arguing that the sector must work together to remain effective and relevant. He also shares his insights on leadership, independence, and the future of policy advice in a rapidly shifting landscape.

Join us as we explore the role of think tanks in these turbulent times—and what it takes to lead one successfully.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

To know more about the European Policy Center (EPC) please visit: https://epc.eu/en/ 

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

In this bonus episode, we continue our conversation with Mathieu Lefèvre, Co-Founder and CEO of More in Common, to explore some of the critical forces shaping civic life and political discourse in Europe today.

We begin with a look at the current imbalance in funding within the market of ideas, where emerging players on the far right are gaining ground, and what this means for the future of democratic debate.

We also discuss new legislation in France and the UK that limits access to social media for under-16s, and how regulation might evolve to address broader concerns around focus, agency, and the online spaces that influence young citizens.

Finally, we ask whether traditional political categories are still helpful in understanding how people engage with politics, or if it’s time for a new framework that reflects the complexity of public opinion today.

This bonus episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/podcast-series-think-tanks-in-a-changing-europe/

To learn more about More in Common, please visit: https://www.moreincommon.com/

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

What does it take to lead a people-centred policy organisation in today’s polarised and fast-changing Europe? In this episode, we speak with Mathieu Lefèvre, co-founder and CEO of More in Common, a non-profit that uses evidence and social psychology to understand what brings societies together and what drives them apart.

Mathieu reflects on the political fatigue spreading across Europe, and how rising polarisation and disinformation are reshaping the role of evidence in public life. In today’s climate, he argues, evidence is no longer just a tool; it’s a statement of values.

Drawing on nearly a decade of leadership, Mathieu shares lessons from building an organisation rooted in curiosity about people: from bringing polling in-house and investing in team culture, to embracing the political dimensions of their work.

We also explore the challenges think tanks face when it comes to change, funding, and engaging wider audiences. In a sector at risk of drifting away from people’s lived experiences, Mathieu offers a compelling vision of relevance, resilience, and hope.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/podcast-series-think-tanks-in-a-changing-europe/

To learn more about More in Common, please visit: https://www.moreincommon.com/

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions, and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

After seven candid conversations with think tank leaders across Europe, hosts Goran Buldioski and Enrique Mendizabal come together to reflect on the insights shared in these two seasons of Running think tanks in a changing Europe.

What has surprised them the most? What are the common threads and the striking differences between how leaders from across the region understand their role, their impact, and their future? In this episode, Goran and Enrique delve into the changing political and funding landscape in which think tanks operate, the pressures that come with defending democratic values, and the importance of stepping outside the sector’s intellectual comfort zones.

They also explore what was missing from these conversations, what we still need to better understand about the day-to-day realities of running a think tank in today’s Europe, and what future episodes could explore and uncover.

Join us for this special episode that steps back from the interviews to connect the dots, highlight what we’ve learned, and invite you to listen (or re-listen) to the conversations shaping our understanding of European think tanks today.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/podcast-series-think-tanks-in-a-changing-europe

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks works to better understand and support think tanks. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/on-think-tanks-programme/

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

What happens when a think tank operates at the intersection of European, Mediterranean, and global affairs, while based in a city far from the capital? In this episode, we speak with Pol Morillas, Director of CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs), one of Spain’s leading foreign policy think tanks.

Drawing on his experience in EU institutions and the Spanish foreign policy landscape, Pol reflects on the challenges and opportunities of leading a think tank in a politically fragmented context. We discuss the evolution of the Spanish think tank scene, the dynamics of funding beyond Madrid, and the importance of building trust and independence in a polarised environment.

Pol also shares his views on the growing role of civil society in shaping public policy. He highlights how think tanks have evolved from acting solely as bridges between academia and politics to becoming conveners of broader coalitions, including civil society actors and the private sector, to foster meaningful policy dialogue.

Join us as we delve into the evolving role of think tanks in Spain and beyond, exploring how they navigate political change, engage with civil society, adapt to new funding realities, and strive to remain relevant in an increasingly complex world.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/podcast-series-think-tanks-in-a-changing-europe/

To learn more about CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs), please visit: https://www.cidob.org/en

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

Every think tank has a unique journey—shaped by its context, mission, and the people driving its vision. But how do think tanks emerge and establish themselves in regions undergoing political and economic transitions? What role do they play in fostering evidence-based policymaking?

In this episode, we speak with Simonida Kacarska, Director of the European Policy Institute (EPI) in North Macedonia. As a leading expert on European integration and governance, Simonida shares the story of EPI’s development and its impact on policymaking in her native Macedonia and the Western Balkans.

We discuss the evolution of think tanks in the region, the challenges of funding and sustainability, and how young researchers are shaping policy debates. Simonida also reflects on the significance of the term ‘think tank’—a concept that does not always translate directly across languages and cultures.

Join us as we explore the power of policy research, the resilience required to build a think tank, and the strategies that can strengthen the sector in a changing Europe.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/

To learn more about the European Policy Institute (EPI), please visit https://epi.org.mk

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

How has the role of think tanks in Germany and Europe evolved in an era of polarisation, disinformation, and shifting funding models? In this episode, we speak with Dr Daniela Schwarzer, Executive Board Member at the Bertelsmann Foundation, former Director and CEO of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), and founder of the Europe programme at the German Marshall Fund. With more than a decade of leadership experience across different organisations, Daniela offers a unique perspective on the transformations shaping the European think tank landscape.

She reflects on how policy debates in Berlin have become more dynamic and contested, how foreign and domestic politics are increasingly intertwined, and why evidence-based analysis remains vital in times of uncertainty. We discuss the growing challenges of independence, credibility, and funding—particularly as foundations shift from grant-making to implementing their own projects, and as governments and donors become more cautious in their support.

Daniela also shares lessons from her leadership journey: the importance of team-building, developing new skill sets, and creating practical, forward-looking policy advice in a rapidly changing environment. Finally, she offers candid advice to future thinktankers: diversify your career experiences, remain open to collaboration, and always look ahead to what will matter tomorrow.

Join us for this wide-ranging conversation on the evolving role of think tanks in Germany and across Europe.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/podcast-series-think-tanks-in-a-changing-europe/

To learn more about Bertelsmann Stiftung, please visit: https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/en/home 

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OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/ 

What does it take to maintain independence while navigating the turbulence of national crisis and European transformation? In this episode, we speak with Loukas Tsoukalis, President of the Board at ELIAMEP, Greece’s most prominent think tank on European and foreign policy.

Drawing on over two decades of leadership, Loukas reflects on what it meant to lead a think tank during one of the most difficult periods in recent Greek history—from the financial crisis to growing political polarisation. He shares how ELIAMEP positioned itself as both a national and European actor, often acting as a bridge between Athens and Brussels, sometimes uncomfortably so.

We discuss the importance of “speaking truth to power” in environments where conforming to the official line is often rewarded, and how true independence requires strategic funding decisions, credibility, and a willingness to be unpopular. Loukas also highlights the risks of self-censorship, the value of internal self-criticism, and the need for think tanks to move beyond technocratic neutrality.

From institutional survival to long-term influence, this conversation is a masterclass in navigating the responsibilities and risks of public policy work in a rapidly changing Europe.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/podcast-series-think-tanks-in-a-changing-europe/

To learn more about ELIAMEP, please visit: https://www.eliamep.gr/en

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OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions, and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

In this episode of OTT Talks, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski speak with Dr Rosa Balfour, Director of Carnegie Europe, about how Europe’s successive crises since the 2008 financial crash—through the Arab Spring, Crimea, Brexit, and Trump—have reshaped the foreign policy landscape and the role of think tanks.

Rosa describes Brussels as a more process-driven but increasingly closed policy ecosystem, contrasts it with more politically aligned national capitals, and explains the leadership demands of running a pan-European think tank: thought leadership, fundraising, visibility, and supporting staff across multiple capitals. She discusses the tension between 24/7 commentary and deep research, the responsibility to contribute to public debate (including in smaller countries), the funding constraints facing European think tanks, and the growing but still limited mainstream influence of radical-right think tank ecosystems such as Hungary’s MCC.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. You can listen to the whole series here.

Tune in, and visit Carnegie Europe to learn more about what was discussed during this podcast.

About OTT Talks:

OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more.

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will help think tanks make short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

In this OTT Talks episode, Enrique Mendizabal speaks with Ivor Chipkin, co-founder and director of South Africa’s New South Institute, shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Public Service Amendment Act 2025. Chipkin explains how, since 1994, political leaders have held extensive control over public service appointments and operations as a workaround for governing under inherited apartheid-era administrations, but this politicisation later contributed to declining performance, corruption, and “state capture,” with uneven effects across institutions. The new act aims to demarcate politics from administration by shifting key administrative powers to department heads, while politicians set policy and provide oversight, aligning South Africa with civil service reforms seen elsewhere. Chipkin describes NSI’s long-term advocacy and alliance-building from the 2022 reform opening to the 2024 coalition-era shift, and highlights implementation risks, monitoring needs, and the importance of patient funding.

In this episode of OTT Talks, Enrique Mendizabal hosts David Watson, former Director of Communications at Chatham House and seasoned UK policymaker, in a conversation exploring David’s extensive background in government and think tanks.

David reflects on his experiences within the UK government, emphasising the role of evidence in policy-making and the impact of think tanks. He discusses the differences between political roles and civil service roles and the importance of people’s lived experiences.

The conversation also delves into the disconnection between think tank research and real-time policy-making. David shares his efforts to make think tanks more outward-looking and strategic with their interventions to influence policy processes. He talks about his work at ODI Global and Chatham House, emphasising the significance of strategic communications to cut through the noise and achieve corporate objectives.

Finally, David addresses the evolving landscape of think tanks, the importance of being purposeful, and the challenges of producing diverse content to remain relevant in today’s fast-paced information environment.

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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. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/

Support us: https://onthinktanks.org/support/

OTT Talks: Think tanks in a changing Europe is back for season 4.

In the opening episode, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski speak with 

Petra Reszkető, Co-Director and Senior Researcher at the Budapest Institute, about leading an independent, project-based economic think tank in Hungary’s “illiberal democracy.”

Petra outlines the challenges faced by the Budapest Institute, including limited and opaque government engagement, the emergence of quasi-governmental bodies and conflicting narratives, deteriorating access to and quality of public data, and the political risks associated with public participation.

The conversation details the Institute's strategic pivot toward selective domestic engagement, collaboration with local actors, and an explicit regional focus. This regional work is supported by partnerships and projects with organisations such as the European Commission, the OECD, and the ILO.

Key discussion points also cover the Institute's tender-driven business model, the difficulty of implementing post-evaluation changes, staff retention issues, and the critical importance of integrity, consistency, and robust contingency planning.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. You can listen to the whole series here.

Learn more about the Budapest Institute and the information discussed during this podcast.

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About OTT Talks:

OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more.

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

What does it feel like to become a funder when you've spent your career as a researcher? And what does it reveal about philanthropy when the person holding the chequebook doesn't look the part?

In this special episode of OTT Talks, host Enrique Mendizabal speaks with Christopher Chibwana (Hewlett Foundation) and Savior Mwambwa (Open Society Foundations) — two African-born former thinktankers now leading programmes at major US-based foundations.

Chris reflects on being read through visual and cultural cues inside institutions that weren't built with him in mind — and on being positioned as an explainer of the Global South rather than a shaper of how foundations engage with it. Savior contrasts OSF's history of regional hiring with a predominantly white US office culture, and examines how program officer authority quietly determines who gets funded, how much risk a portfolio can absorb, and whether smaller or less formal actors ever get a look in.

Why do foundations find it so hard to shift resources toward proximate organisations, even when the case is widely accepted? How are geopolitical pressures reshaping what funders can say, fund, and stand behind? And what does contested language around "the global" reveal about where power actually sits in international philanthropy? Tune in to find out  — from two people who have now seen both sides of the table.

Read more in Chris Chibwana's Substack.

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About OTT Talks:

OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more.

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

In this episode of OTT Talks, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Samar Verma speak with Ngu Wah Win, Research Director at the Knowledge Circle Foundation and an alumna of the School for Thinktankers, about how Myanmar’s think tank and evidence-informed policy landscape has changed before and after 2021.

The conversation covers how think tanks have shifted toward survival, advocacy, documenting human rights abuses, safeguarding displaced researchers, countering misinformation, and using digital platforms to amplify marginalised voices, while also facing unstable and short-term project-based donor funding that limits long-term capacity building and succession planning.

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About the guest:

Ngu Wah Win is a Research Director at the Knowledge Circle Foundation, a non-profit organisation focusing on inclusive development in Southeast Asia. Before joining KCF in 2022, she worked as a senior consultant for multilateral organisations, bilateral aid agencies, and international NGOs, contributing to reform initiatives in Myanmar, including public financial management, agricultural value chains, and migration governance. She also served on the National Statistical Committee, Agriculture Policy Unit, and inter-ministerial task forces, conducting policy research until 2020. Ngu Wah Win holds a Master of Public Administration in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University, specialising in finance and banking, and degrees in economics and statistics from Chiang Mai University and Yangon University of Economics. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Economics at Chiang Mai University regarding labour migration, remittances, and political economy. She is also a Fellow at the University of British Columbia, Canada.

About the podcast:

OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. 

Learn more.

This episode is part of On Think Tanks’ broader collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar-II (K4DM-II) initiative, which aims to strengthen Myanmar’s policy research ecosystem and support think tank leaders operating in complex and high-risk environments. As part of this project, IDRC supports Myanmar think tank professionals' participation in the School for Thinktankers, On Think Tanks’ flagship leadership and capacity development programme. Their engagement contributes to a longer-term effort to preserve leadership capacity and institutional knowledge, and to ensure that Myanmar’s think tank community is prepared to contribute to future policy and development opportunities as conditions evolve.

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Learn more & support us.

In this episode of OTT Talks, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Samar Verma speak with Min Zar Ni, a PhD student at the University of Southern Denmark and former Deputy Director of Research at Myanmar’s Centre for Economic and Social Development, about how Myanmar’s political upheaval has reshaped the country’s think tank and policy research landscape.

The discussion explores how think tanks have shifted from direct policy influence and stakeholder engagement toward documenting realities and providing analysis with limited outreach, alongside challenges such as safety risks, polarisation, constrained dialogue, weakened long-term donor support, and the loss of talent as researchers leave the country.

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About the guest:

Min Zar Ni Lin is a doctoral student in the Global Sustainable Production section at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). Until early 2024, he served as the Myanmar Team Leader for the Efficient and Sustainable Apparel Myanmar (ESAM) project of SDU. This hands-on initiative aimed to support garment factories and their workers in Myanmar by enhancing productivity and improving occupational health and safety (OHS) conditions in the workplace. Prior to this, he worked as the Deputy Director of Research at the Centre for Economic and Social Development (CESD) in Myanmar.

About the podcast:

OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. 

Learn more.

This episode is part of On Think Tanks’ broader collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar-II (K4DM-II) initiative, which aims to strengthen Myanmar’s policy research ecosystem and support think tank leaders operating in complex and high-risk environments. As part of this project, IDRC supports Myanmar think tank professionals' participation in the School for Thinktankers, On Think Tanks’ flagship leadership and capacity development programme. Their engagement contributes to a longer-term effort to preserve leadership capacity and institutional knowledge, and to ensure that Myanmar’s think tank community is prepared to contribute to future policy and development opportunities as conditions evolve.

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Learn more & support us.

In this episode of OTT Talks, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Samar Verma speak with Napas Thain, inaugural research fellow at the Myanmar Policy and Community Knowledge Hub (MYPAC) at the University of Toronto, about Myanmar’s political crisis since 2021 and how it has reshaped the country’s think tank and research landscape.

The conversation examines the evolution of think tanks from limited information flow pre-2011 to liberalisation-era institutions such as Egress and the Myanmar Peace Center, shifts under the NLD toward advisor networks and smaller issue-based organisations, and the post-coup displacement of research and media into cross-border and diaspora settings.

Napas discusses current challenges—including funding cuts and shifting aid priorities, as well as the legal and operational precarity faced by exiled researchers in Southeast Asia—alongside the role of think tanks in countering misinformation.

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About the guest:

Napas Thein is the Inaugural Research Fellow of the Myanmar Policy and Community Knowledge Hub at the University of Toronto, where he focuses on Myanmar’s political transition, diaspora engagement, and regional diplomacy. He currently works as an Associate at McMillan Vantage, providing political analysis, policy research, and strategic government-relations support to clients across Ontario and federal government files. Napas previously served as a Research Fellow with the UBC Myanmar Initiative and Chiang Mai University, conducting extensive field interviews with civil society, ethnic resistance, and governance actors. He has also worked as a global security analyst at Kinross Gold, a research assistant in urban economics, and a constituency assistant in the House of Commons. A graduate of the Munk School’s Master of Public Policy, Napas has written for The Globe and Mail and the C.D. Howe Institute and remains active in Myanmar-related research and diaspora advocacy.

About the podcast:

OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. 

Learn more.

This episode is part of On Think Tanks’ broader collaboration with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) under the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar-II (K4DM-II) initiative, which aims to strengthen Myanmar’s policy research ecosystem and support think tank leaders operating in complex and high-risk environments. As part of this project, IDRC supports Myanmar think tank professionals' participation in the School for Thinktankers, On Think Tanks’ flagship leadership and capacity development programme. Their engagement contributes to a longer-term effort to preserve leadership capacity and institutional knowledge, and to ensure that Myanmar’s think tank community is prepared to contribute to future policy and development opportunities as conditions evolve.

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Learn more & support us.

Recorded live at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, this special edition of OTT Talks brings you the keynote speeches from the 10th edition of the conference.

In an era marked by democratic uncertainty, technological disruption and geopolitical instability, do think tanks still matter?

In this keynote from the OTT Conference 2026, Rosa Balfour reflects on the growing pressures facing think tanks — from the transformation of the information ecosystem and declining trust in institutions to funding challenges and global geopolitical upheaval.

She argues that think tanks continue to play a critical role as bridges between policymakers and society, while calling for greater clarity of purpose, stronger communities of practice and more meaningful public engagement.

Explore more insights from the OTT Conference 2026: https://onthinktanks.org/ott-conference-2026/

Become an On Think Tanks member: https://onthinktanks.org/membership/

Recorded live at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, this special edition of OTT Talks brings you the keynote speeches from the 10th edition of the conference.

How can think tanks remain trustworthy institutions in increasingly polarised political environments?

In this keynote from the OTT Conference 2026, Héctor Cárdenas reflects on the relationship between evidence, storytelling and trust. Drawing on COMEXI’s experience in Mexico, he explores how think tanks can navigate political pressures, fragmented audiences and institutional tensions while remaining credible, pluralistic and grounded in evidence.

From strategic communication and public engagement to government relations and organisational identity, this session offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means for knowledge to matter in today’s policy debates.

Explore more insights from the OTT Conference 2026: https://onthinktanks.org/ott-conference-2026/

Become an On Think Tanks member: https://onthinktanks.org/membership/