July 2025 News
SIDA UPDATES
SIDA Annual Conference 2025
Tuesday 30th September, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh and online
We’re excited to announce that registration for the SIDA annual conference is officially OPEN! With aid budget cuts, escalating conflicts, and climate shocks growing in intensity, this is an opportunity for us to come together as a sector to shape our collective response for the benefit of the communities our members serve across the world.
We’ll be back in Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, on Tuesday 30th September, looking at how alternative funding models, innovation, effective power shifting and partnership working can support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) before 2030. And with elections to the Scottish Parliament on the horizon, we’ll also consider the role Scotland can play in responding to these global challenges.
The full agenda and keynote speakers will be announced soon. Registration is free for SIDA members, and £100 for non-members. There are still exhibition and sponsorship opportunities available to showcase your work. Get in touch with Francis Rodgers at SIDA for more information, or if you'd like to learn about membership options.
Financing for Development, Seville
Earlier this month, leaders and organisations from around the world, including several SIDA members, gathered in Seville for the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) to discuss financial challenges preventing urgently needed investment for the SDGs. We've rounded up some reflections on the event from SIDA members and friends here.
UN report: corporate involvement in illegal settlements in Palestine
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has published a new report for the UN’s Human Rights Council, looking at corporate involvement in illegal settlements. Her report highlights that “corporate entities have profited from the Israeli economy of illegal occupation, apartheid and now genocide”, and in addition to calling for sanctions and asset freezes, asks governments and companies to promptly end all trade agreements, investment relations, business activities and relationships contributing to human rights violations and international crimes against the Palestinian people. The report builds
on an assessment first published by the UN High Commission for Human Rights in June 2023 listing companies operating in illegal settlements.
Leaders Knowledge Exchange Forum: coming soon!
We're launching a new space designed for Leaders within our membership organisations to come together to discuss and share about topics relevant to leadership in the international development sector.
The Leaders Knowledge Exchange Forum, starting in October 2025, is open to all those in a senior leadership capacity who wish to join and contribute in their areas of expertise by knowledge sharing via informal presentation and discussion.
FOCUS ON: SIX MONTHS SINCE USAID CUTS
Photo editorial credit: a katz / Shutterstock.com
On 20th January 2025, the new US Administration made radical cuts to the budget and operation of USAID, closely followed by a ripple of ODA cuts from the UK and other countries across Europe. The impacts were immediate, global, and in many cases devastating. Around the world, the operations of NGOs – including many partners of SIDA members – have been dramatically reshaped or withdrawn.
Earlier this month, we hosted a special discussion exclusively for SIDA members to share their experiences, learn how organisations can support each other, and consider opportunities for collective response and adaptation. The discussion came as the Lancet published a new analysis of the health and mortality impacts of the cuts, estimating that by 2030 the cuts could cause to up to 14 million otherwise preventable deaths around the world. Read the key takeaways from the discussion here.
Insights from three nations hit hard by U.S. cuts to foreign aid
In a recent report, public health and development professionals shared insights from three hard-hit nations—Colombia, Kenya, and Nepal, which respectively lost 82%, 46%, and 100% of their U.S. funding. Colombia has one of the world's largest populations of refugees and displaced migrants and—before the cuts—had 80 NGOs providing robust public health infrastructure. Kenya's reproductive health gains have reshaped society—advancing gender equity, reducing maternal deaths, and expanding opportunities for women and girls—but cannot sustain that momentum without aid. In Nepal, the new paradigm threatens to reverse a hard-won 53% reduction in HIV cases.
MEMBER UPDATES
Design for Sustainability & Regeneration | Gaia Education
Gaia Education's latest course, Design for Sustainability & Regeneration, is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to redesign not only systems but our relationships with one another and the natural world — one local community and bioregion at a time. In these times of uncertainty, learning how to create regenerative, resilient systems is not just important — it is essential for all of us. Find out more below.
Delivery of new medical equipment to Chitambo Hospital, Zambia
Experienced partners are joining forces with Friends of Chitambo to help Chitambo Hospital meet its development needs, including the renovation and equipping of the hospital's Maternity and Paediatric wards. Flying doctors Alberto Gregori and Trish O'Connor, who volunteer with FlySpec Zambia have sourced and shipped a good quality second hand resuscitaire for the maternity unit (pictured) and a container of other equipment, sent by Zambian-born Padre John Mbayo, a Chaplain in the British Royal Air Force, who has just arrived at Chitambo to witness it's opening.
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
When and where?
- Wednesday 20th- Friday 22nd August
- Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
Festival of Politics
In partnership with Scotland's Futures Forum, the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics returns this August with a three day programme of over 30 events, taking place in Holyrood between Wednesday 20 and Friday 22 August 2025. The festival programme features leading experts from the worlds of politics, the arts, business, the media and the third sector. Faith Bateman from SIDA's friends at WOSDEC will take part in a panel discussion about misinformation on 22nd August.
Beyond Borders International Festival
SIDA member Beyond Borders host their 15th annual International Festival at Traquair House on the 23-24th August 2025! Expect a weekend of books, topical debate, poetry, art, music, walks, and wonderful conversations, with notable speakers including Lord Jack McConnell, Jeremy Corbyn MP and the BBC's Lyse Doucet. See the full 2025 festival programme below.
When and where?
- Saturday 23rd- Sunday 24th August
- Traquair House, Innerleithen
Safeguarding Best Practice (for SIDA members only)
Maintaining safeguarding knowledge and practice can often fall down the priority list to address other urgent or pressing matters. However, it's essential to keep up to date and review your policies and practice regularly. Join us and Angie Bamgbose of Building Blocks for Development for a refresh on safeguarding principles and latest legislation and best practice from the global sustainable development sector illustrated with fictional examples.
When and where?
- Saturday 30th- Sunday 31st August
- Edinburgh
International Fair Trade Towns Conference
Hosted by Edinburgh City Fairtrade Group and Scottish Fair Trade, the 18th International Fair Trade Towns Conference will take place in Edinburgh, Saturday 30th to Sunday 31 August, 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.
Mass Lobby | Stop Climate Chaos Scotland
This mass lobby is a chance for our elected representatives to hear directly from those they serve - people who care deeply about Scotland’s future and want to see people and nature thrive together, with clean air, warm homes, secure jobs, restored nature, strong public services and support for communities most vulnerable to climate impacts. Right now we aren't seeing the fair action we urgently need at the pace required. Join Stop Climate Chaos Scotland Thursday 18 September, when hundreds of people from across Scotland will come together at the Scottish Parliament to meet with MSPs to call for urgent, fair climate action.
When and where?
- Thursday 18th September
- Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
In the rapidly evolving context of aid budget cuts, growing conflicts, and climate shocks, join us to explore how alternative funding models, innovation, effective power shifting and partnership working can support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Register to reserve your space (online or in person) and keep an eye on the event page for programme announcements.
When and where?
- Tuesday 30th September
- Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
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
BBC Radio 4 Appeal
The BBC provides the opportunity for charities to have an appeal broadcast on BBC Radio 4 or BBC One Lifeline to audiences across the UK. These access appeals demonstrate the range of work charities do to benefit people and our planet, both in the UK and internationally. The BBC’s aim is to support a wide range of UK charities in raising much-needed funds and awareness of their work. On average, charities raise between £5,000 and £20,000. Applications close 1st September. Find out more below.
OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES
Women aren't 14 times more likely to die in disasters - inequality is the real killer
How the UK Should Focus Its Aid in 2026
My family received flour without having to face down bullets. In Gaza, this is now news
SIDA service Directory
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