May 2025 News
SIDA UPDATES
Celebrating culture, advancing global justice
Over 200 of you joined us in Paisley earlier this month for the Unity is Strength Multicultural Festival to celebrate the cultural diversity of Scotland and share our commitment to advancing global justice. It was an incredible day, and we were lucky to have speakers, performers, dancers and musicians representing cultures across the world. Thanks to all those who made the event possible. Learn more about the event here.
Scottish Government affirms International Development commitment
In the Programme for Government released on 6th May, we were pleased to see a continuation of the Scottish Government’s commitment to international development. Our policy committee is working on key asks for political parties ahead of the Holyrood elections in May 2026 to ensure international development and a commitment to funding humanitarian action, global justice and climate mitigation remains on the agenda. If you'd like more information, contact our head of policy, Patrick Grady.
Opportunities and Announcements
We were recently made aware of an opportunity for charities, non-profits or community organisations to take advantage of a free office space in Leith, Edinburgh. We are also currently looking for SIDA members who would like to join our fundraising committee. If you are interested in either of these opportunities, drop us an email and we’ll send you more information.
Call for Sponsors for the SIDA annual conference
Following the success of our Spring Conference in April, plans are now underway for our Annual Conference, taking place at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on 30th September 2025. If you are interested becoming a sponsor for the event, please contact event organiser Francis Rodgers to lean more.
FOCUS ON: GAZA
Too little, too late?
On Tuesday 20th May, UK and EU politicians finally recognised the unacceptable horror evolving in Gaza and called for a halt to the EU Association Agreement and UK/Israeli trade talks. On the same day, the EU and the UK announced they would proceed with new sanctions on Russia without waiting for US agreement. This juxtaposition underscores the continued lack of political will to take meaningful action against the state of Israel. Former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, told the BBC on 21st May that the steps taken are ‘still insufficient’: an important reminder that many Israelis do not support their government’s actions. For those wondering how best to take action, we have shared some opportunities from our members. The articles from Oxfam and Britain Palestine Project below provide more information and context.
- Oxfam: Petitions on arms sales and ceasefire
- Christian Aid: MP letter writing guide
- Save the Children: ‘Stop the war on children’ petition to UK Government, resource: How to talk to children about war
- Global Justice now: template for writing to your MP, and a campaign briefing that can be shared with your MP.
It’s time to end the use of starvation as a weapon of war
Oxfam writes: “The blockade of food, water and relief that has brought so much hunger and suffering to Gaza is the latest example of the growing use of starvation as a weapon of war, say Lawrence Robinson and Désirée Ketabchi. That’s why Oxfam has become a founding member of the Coalition Against Conflict and Hunger – a group of civil society organisations set up last year to end the deliberate use of starvation tactics in conflict and promote the protection of civilians and humanitarian space.”
The weaponisation and privatisation of Gaza humanitarian aid
In this article, Dr Brian Brivati, Executive Director of the Britain Palestine Project, provides a clear outline of what asks should be made to the UK government, as well as providing critical context and responding to the central question of how this life-saving aid should be delivered. “Gaza needs principled, not privatised, aid. The international community—and especially the UK—should work to restore and reinforce mechanisms that uphold international law, respect humanitarian norms, and respect the dignity and agency of Palestinians.”
MEMBER UPDATES
Have your say on the Scottish Peace Platform
Beyond Borders Scotland is conducting a survey to inform the Scottish Peace Platform (SPP) project which they are undertaking alongside The University of Edinburgh Law School. Due to launch in Autumn 2025, the project results from a 2024 call for proposals on a ‘peace programme’ from The Scottish Government, and will engage and connect peace-making and peacebuilding organisations and individuals in Scotland. If you or your organisation works on peacebuilding, take 10 minutes to complete the organisational survey, or the individual survey here to ensure your thoughts are heard.
Malawian villagers take UK multinational to court
1700+ Malawian villagers are taking a UK multinational to court over a deadly flood that destroyed their village and killed seven, including two children. Investigations by Water Witness uncovered the corporation had been warned that their strategy of building embankments to protect their sugar crops from flooding would endanger local communities. Water Witness took the case to legal firm Leigh Day, who will be taking the group legal action to the English courts, to gain justice for the people of Kanseche, Malawi.
Two voluntary positions with SCIAF board
SCIAF is recruiting for two new board members: a chair of the Finance, Risk, Audit and Compliance Committee, and a Public Engagement Committee member. Find out more about both positions at the link below. Applications close Friday 23rd May.
Job vacancy: Mass Lobby Coordinator with SCCS
Stop Climate Chaos Scotland is recruiting a Mass Lobby Coordinator to join them on a part-time basis for four months from June-September 2025 to oversee the planning and delivery of a mass climate lobby of MSPs in September 2025. Learn more about the role and how to apply at the link below. Applications close Friday 23rd May.
Healthlink360: Psychological support for humanitarian workers
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18th May 2025), in our latest members blog, Healthlink360 shares why it is important that we recognise and support the mental health of those serving in compassion driven roles, how humanitarian workers can make use of their resources and services, and some tips for managing mental health in the current climate. Read the full blog at the link below.
SIDA members, this is your space! If you would like to feature in upcoming newsletters, please get in touch with us anytime at admin@intdevalliance.scot.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Webinar on the Fair Water Action Fund
Are you a journalist, media organisation, researcher, or civil society organisation, passionate about uncovering water and environmental injustices and driving real-world change, and based in the Global South? This webinar hosted by Water Witness will guide you through rigorous investigation, data-driven research, and evidence-based advocacy, targeting major water-using global value chains and their impacts on production sites and communities in the Global South.
Stop the Scroll: How to make your work standout on socials
In this workshop led by Jeremy Skeet, digital storytelling expert, award winning journalist and former head of Social Media at BBC News, we'll explore practical, low-cost strategies to cut through the noise, build genuine connections, and hopefully inspire action.
When and where?
- Wednesday 4th June, 11am-12:30pm
- Online
Film Screening: An Unfinished Journey: An evening in Solidarity with Afghan Women
The film follows the lives of four prominent Afghan women forced into exile after the 2021 Taliban takeover. Stripped of their formal power, watching as hard-won rights are erased back home, these women strive to keep the world’s attention on the ongoing humanitarian and gender rights crisis in Afghanistan. A live panel discussion featuring Afghan women living in the Highlands and around Scotland will follow the screening. The evening will close with a shared meal generously provided by new local business, Afghan Flavours.
Launch of the UK Malawi Chamber of Commerce in Scotland
Following the launch of the UK-Malawi Chamber of Commerce (UKMCC) in November 2022, Scotland Malawi Partnership invite you to celebrate the launch of the UK-Malawi Chamber of Commerce in Scotland alongside business leaders, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders passionate about strengthening the economic ties between Malawi and the United Kingdom. The occasion will offer networking opportunities, insightful discussions, and a chance to discover exciting opportunities for collaboration between the two nations.
When and where?
- Wednesday 12th June, 1pm
- Edinburgh City Chambers & Online
Scottish Government stakeholder engagement (SIDA members only)
The next in the series of meetings with Scottish Government officials, the International Development team will present latest plans for a small projects fund to support global solidarity targeting small Scottish NGOs. Those who participated in the original discussions on this fund in June 2022 may be particularly interested. The session will comprise of presentations and discussion to help shape this fund for best impact. Contact us if you are interested in attending.
Forced to Flee: Amplifying Refugee Voices within Global Development
Join us and the Scottish Refugee Council for a two hour workshop featuring lived experience speakers to explore our relationships and responsibilities as organisations with relation to refugees. The workshop is for anyone looking to explore and understand the role of the global sustainable development sector in amplifying and uplifting migrant and refugee voices and stories across our local communities and networks.
When and where?
- Monday 30th June, 6:45pm
- OOTB Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh
Film Premier ‘Gaza: A Story of Love and War’
Firefly International is proud to host director Mike Joseph for an in-person Q&A following the first Scottish screening of his film. The documentary offers a deeply personal history of Gaza, tracing events from the 1948 Nakba to today’s devastating conflict, through the experiences of Palestinian journalist Sami Abu Salem and his family. As the story unfolds, Welsh Jewish journalist Mike Joseph uncovers powerful parallels with his own family's Holocaust past.
International Fair Trade Towns Conference 2025
Hosted by Edinburgh City Fairtrade Group and Scottish Fair Trade, the 18th International Fair Trade Towns Conference will take place in Edinburgh from Saturday 30 August to Sunday 31 August 2025, with the aim of bringing together local and global stakeholders committed to sustainability and wellbeing to highlight Fair Trade’s role in the drive for sustainable development and a new economy.
When and where?
- 30th - 31st August
- The Nucleus Building, University of Edinburgh’s King’s Buildings Campus
SIDA members, this is your space! If you would like to feature in upcoming newsletters, please get in touch with us anytime at admin@intdevalliance.scot.
FUNDING UPDATE OF THE MONTH
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Zayed Sustainability Prize gives awards in six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. The call is open worldwide, for small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or non-profit organizations (NPOs). Grant sizes vary per category from $150,000 to $1 million. Applications close 23 June 2025.
OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES
Financing Social Services After US Aid Cuts
SIDA service Directory
Registered Scottish Charity No. SC035314
Company No. SC307352
CBC House, 24 Canning Street, EH3 8EG
