In 1960 ODI began in small premises in Regent's Park, central London and operated a library devoted to international development issues as well as performing consultancy work and contracts with the Department for International Development (then known as the Overseas Development Agency) of the UK government. Since then it has moved several times and is currently[when?] on Blackfriars Road.
Since 2004 it has had a Partnership Programme Arrangement with the UK's Department for International Development.
In July 2007, ODI was named 'Think Tank of the Year 2007' by Public Affairs News magazine. It was named 'Think-tank to Watch' in the Prospect 'Think-tank of the Year' awards in 2005.[citation needed]
It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010, with guests including former ODI Fellow and current UK Business Secretary, Vince Cable.