OUR GOVERNANCE
IDEA’s National Council
IDEA’s National Council is our main decision-making body and collectively oversees the strategic planning and governance of the organisation. It is elected by our members at our Annual General Meetings and every full organisational or individual member is entitled to vote and to serve on the National Council. The maximum number of council members is 12, the term of office for a Director is three years and they can serve two successive three-year terms. The National Council meets at least four times a year and has two sub-committees: Governance & Finance, and Nominations & Remuneration.
The National Council is supported by a comprehensive framework of governance, financial, safeguarding and organisational policies. These underpin the effective oversight of the organisation, support compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations, and provide clear guidance on roles, responsibilities, conduct and decision-making.
IDEA aims to achieve the highest standards of governance, transparency and accountability.
IDEA’s Annual Reports and Financial Statements
Our award-winning Annual Report outlines our objectives, activities, governance and financial statements for the year. IDEA is a registered charity and our annual report and financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2014, the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities - SORP, and the Financial Reporting Standard - FRS 102.
IDEA is funded through a grant from Irish Aid, smaller grants from Concern and Trócaire along with our membership fees.
You can download and view our Director’s Reports and Audited Financial Statements below
CODES AND POLICIES
IDEA’s work is guided by a series of codes and policies that guide and shape us as an organisation. These include codes we have developed as well as codes that we adhere to voluntarily.
IDEA has developed a series of Organisational Policies that have been approved by our National Council:
Our work is also supported by the following Codes
IDEA has taken all relevant measures to ensure we have been fully compliant with the Charities Governance Code since its introduction in 2020. Before this we operated according to its predecessor the Governance Code for the Community, Voluntary and Charitable Sector in Ireland. IDEA also files returns three times a year with the Lobby Register as required by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
EVALUATION REPORTS
IDEA’s work is evaluated at regular intervals by external consultants. This evaluation is based on feedback gathered through focus groups and interviews. You can read the latest reports below:
