This paper focuses on the role of evidence-based knowledge in improving civil society engagement in international development policy processes. Section 1 focuses on the role that evidence-based knowledge can be used by CSOs to improve their role in policy processe, and aims to outline why evidence matters for CSOs’ work in international development. Section 2 the scene and highlights the opportunities and challenges facing CSOs policy work. Section 3 provides a framework that matches the engagement mechanisms and evidence needs to the critical stages of policy processes. Section 4 summarises strategic and practical advice regarding how CSOs can ensure their policy engagement is more effective, influential and sustained.

Julius Court, Enrique Mendizabal, David Osborne and John Young with Harry Jones