Around the world, we are seeing increases in domestic and international investment, recognition in the SDGs of the importance of research and information for sustainable development at a global level, and governments increasingly valuing local research expertise to inform national development. In all four of VakaYiko’s core countries (Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe) there was already some form of commitment to using evidence in policy making – supported, for example, in national development plans or highlevel strategies. But a number of barriers were preventing these commitments from being realized. VakaYiko gave us the opportunity to tackle some of those barriers together with those who need to use evidence in their work…