About Us

We support the Gates Foundation in developing data-driven insights for its livestock and aquaculture investment portfolio by applying innovative solutions to complex development questions. Drawing on expertise in veterinary science, gender, social science, modelling, economics, and data science, our core service focuses on monitoring, sharing learnings, understanding impact, and supporting decision-making.  

The challenge

It is critical that new and current investments in livestock and aquaculture make a positive and sustainable impact in low- and middle-income countries — yet the evidence required to track their impacts is often fragmented, inconsistent, or technically inaccessible. The disconnect between disparate data sources and clear decision-making is a significant barrier to effective portfolio management. To address this, we need consistent ways to collect and analyse data, model sex-disaggregated results, and tailor communication for decision-makers. These steps are essential to uncover the detailed insights needed to understand investment performance and equity of outcomes.

 

Our goal 

Working in partnership, SEBI-Livestock develops the evidence decision-makers need to navigate competing priorities and invest in interventions that support the transition to sustainable livestock and aquaculture systems in low- and middle-income countries. In collaboration with governments, donors, civil society and private sector organisations, we apply innovative approaches to close data gaps and build actionable insights that help transform livestock systems. 

A group of adults sit around a table. Some people look down at sheets of paper on the table, one person looks at the camera smiling.

Our story 

For the past decade, SEBI-Livestock has placed data and evidence at the heart of decision-making for livestock development. Established in 2016 within the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, our initiative was founded with support from the Gates Foundation to bridge the gap between complex data and strategic action. 

Our current focus  

Today, our work is sustained by two core grants from the Gates Foundation: 

  • Evidence into Action (EnAct) [2026–2030]: Through this grant, we deliver high-quality data cleaning, processing, visualization, and analytical insights, providing the livestock team with the monitoring services needed to track performance.  

  • Sustaining Action for Gender Equality (SAGE SEBI-L) [2024–2028]: This grant ensures that gender intentionality is embedded across all our activities, guaranteeing that our evidence and tools drive more equitable outcomes throughout the sector. 

 

Expanding our impact  

Since 2018, we have collaborated directly with grant holders representing 39 investments, 30% of the foundation's livestock portfolio by spend. Looking ahead to 2030, we are expanding our scope to align with the foundation's top priorities. This includes supporting major "big bet" initiatives and emerging areas such as animal nutrition, aquaculture, pastoral markets, and methane mitigation. We are expanding the scope of our work to include downstream investment and post-investment monitoring so we can provide the foundation with a more complete understanding of their impact?

 

Convening a Global Community  

Beyond our direct work with the Gates Foundation, SEBI-Livestock serves as the Secretariat for the Livestock Data for Decisions Network (LD4D). Launched in 2017, LD4D has grown into a global community of over 2,500 experts. Through our activities, members share knowledge and co-create responses to the sector's most pressing challenges, working together to develop data-driven solutions for sustainable and inclusive livestock systems. 

Learn more