Background: SEA-ORCHID is a five-year project (2004-09) that aims to improve the health of mothers and babies in four South East Asian countries by increasing the capacity for generating and implementing evidence. As part of the project, each country conducted training activities intended to encourage participation in Cochrane reviews. Objectives: To increase involvement in Cochrane reviews and to develop local capacity to support review activity in SE Asia by running systematic review workshops, hosting fellowships in Australia and establishing networks to help sustain activity. To assess the impact of these activities in terms of contributions to Cochrane reviews. Methods: Data on protocols and reviews published by authors from the four SEA-ORCHID countries were extracted from Issue 1, 2005 of The Cochrane Library (pre-intervention) and repeated for Issue 4, 2008 (post-intervention). The Cochrane Collaboration’s Archie database was used to identify authors. Data on workshops and fellowships were routinely collected during the intervention phase. Results: Pre-intervention, 107 authors (12 MYS, 36 PHI, 59 THA, 0 IND) were contributing to Cochrane protocols and reviews. At post-intervention this had increased to 286 authors (48 MYS, 66 PHI, 164 THA, 8 IND). The number of protocols/reviews almost doubled from 69 to 130; a further 64 are registered titles. The biggest increase in authors and protocols/reviews was for the Pregnancy and Childbirth Group. Over 15 Cochrane training workshops plus regular informal work-ins have been conducted throughout the SE Asian region. Thirteen clinicians undertook short-term fellowships in Australia to work on a Cochrane review. Conclusions: The resources and technical support provided through the SEA-ORCHID Project has resulted in greater Cochrane review activity which is no longer confined to just Pregnancy & Childbirth and Neonatal groups. This activity is being sustained by countrywide networks (especially in Thailand and Malaysia) and through the ongoing support of the Australasian Cochrane Centre.