OTT Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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/ 

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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

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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.