A partnership to boost civil society participation in global policy debates has been announced in London. The UK’s Department for International Development has entered into a six-year agreement with the Overseas Development Institute, the UK’s leading independent think-tank on international development and humanitarian issues. The two will work together in a long-term effort to help think-tanks and NGOs around the world contribute more effectively to policy in such areas as aid, trade and poverty reduction. The programme will sponsor research to understand better how policy is made, build capacity through training and advisory work, and help southern civil society organisations target key decisions for improved policy impact.