The first workshop of ODI's new Civil Society Partnerships Programme's (CSPP) Regional Consultation was held in Lilongwe, Malawi, on the 9th and 10th February 2005, in collaboration with theMalawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN). The workshop provided a forum for representatives from policy research institutes and non-governmental agencies to discuss the opportunities and challenges for CSOs to use evidence to inform policy, learn about the latest worldwide research and practice in this area, share experiences about ongoing activities and identify opportunities for collaborative work.