Background: The South African Cochrane Centre (SACC) serves as the reference centre for individuals in 25 African countries, including Ethiopia. However, there is only one Cochrane review author in Ethiopia and awareness about the Cochrane Collaboration (CC) and SACC is poor in the country. Objectives: To describe the initiative to raise awareness about the CC and SACC in Ethiopia. Methods: An awareness raising presentation was conducted on the CC and SACC at the Ethiopian Public Health Association (EPHA) Conference on October 27, 2009. Participants asked questions, discussed and evaluated the session. Results: Eighty participants attended the EPHA presentation. None of the participants had knowledge of the CC or SACC before the presentation. After the presentation, 67% indicated having excellent knowledge, 44% claimed learning a great deal and 89% rated the session valuable. The feedback from participants was positive and is being used to conduct a baseline survey of health professionals and develop a one-day seminar on the CC for senior management. The baseline survey is collecting background information for seminar participants to consider in their discussion to generate recommendations to promote Cochrane activities. To date, 26 questionnaires were completed and returned (response rate 49%). The majority (89%) of respondents were males, 46% =30 years of age, 31% academics, 62% worked in public sector, 44% heard the CC from a colleague, 77% didn t know the SACC was the reference centre for Ethiopia and 86% had no idea how the CL was accessed in the country. Conclusions: There is a lack of awareness about the CC, SACC and CL in Ethiopia. The experience gained was valuable and lessons were learned. The awareness campaign will continue to target health professionals and policy-makers.