About Us

NIDOS is a network of international development organisations with a base in Scotland. We work to improve the effectiveness of our members and the wider international development sector in Scotland by:

• Building strength and capacity within international development organisations in Scotland
• Improving communication and networking amongst international development organisations in Scotland
• Representing the views and interests of our member organisations to policy and decision makers
• Improving understanding of Scotland's international development sector amongst the public, politicians, the media and funders in Scotland, the UK and beyond.

What we do

Why a Scottish network?

NIDOS Board of Trustees

See NIDOS Governance & Management for the latest documents including our annual report and accounts, business plan, annual impact report and AGM minutes.

What we do

Our services for member organisations include:

• Information: Provided through newsletters, email lists and the Learning & Info section of this website
• Working groups: Helping members to work together to address shared concerns, exchange information and learn from each others' experiences
• Resources: Our resource library includes funding directories, journals and publications
• Support and advice: One-to-one support and advice on funding and strategic development
• Training: Workshops on programme development, organisational management and funding opportunities
• Our services for members also includes support with developing a shared understanding of Good Practice
• We also act as a voice for the sector, representing the views of our member organisations on policy proposals and developments.

For the public, corporate sector, media and politicians we provide up-to-date information on Scotland's international development sector, including a web-based directory of our member organisations and details of paid and voluntary opportunities.

We are always happy to answer enquiries and to assist in connecting people, organisations and information. Please contact us if you have any questions at all.

Detailed list of NIDOS’ services for members

Why a Scottish network?

Originally formed in 2000, NIDOS was established to build capacity within Scottish NGOs, to help raise awareness of international development within Scotland, and to develop and represent Scottish voluntary organisations’ perspectives on international development. NIDOS was formed partly in response to the creation of a newly devolved Scottish Parliament, but also in recognition of Scotland’s separate identity and relative physical isolation from the bulk of the UK’s international development sector, which is predominantly based in London and the South East.

The Scottish Government’s involvement within international development has grown considerably since NIDOS’ inception, marked in particular by the introduction of an International Development policy, an International Development Fund and a Scotland-Malawi Cooperation Agreement. Following the 2007 Holyrood elections and the formation of a new Scottish Government, it is clear that the new administration remains committed to the International Development policy. Early signs also indicate that the policy will be subjected to a significantly increased degree of scrutiny through the Parliament’s European & External Relations Committee. As a result, there is now an even greater need for a body such as NIDOS to collate and represent the views of the Scottish sector to Scottish political institutions, and to work with these political institutions to ensure that the most effective policies are implemented.

NIDOS Board of Trustees

Betsy Reed (Vice Chair),

Lisa MacLean, (Treasurer) International Network of Street Papers

Mukami McCrum

Linda Todd, The Leprosy Mission Scotland

Annie Lewis, Oxfam

Kathy Galloway, Christian Aid

NIDOS is a registered charity (SCO35314) and Company Limited by Guarantee (SC307352).

See NIDOS Governance & Management for the latest documents including our annual report and accounts, business plan, annual impact report and AGM minutes.

Who Works Where?

NIDOS members are currently working in all parts of the world. To find out details of who is working where, click on the map above, use our searchable database, or just browse our Member Directory.