Foreign Ministry to continue its support to International Disability Alliance

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will continue payments of the discretionary government grant to the International Disability Alliance (IDA) after having investigated whether suspected misuse also concerned a project funded by Finland. However, the Ministry will recover EUR 6,506 before payments continue. IDA strengthens the organisation's governance and is committed to monitoring and reporting on further reform measures.

The International Disability Alliance (IDA) is an international non-governmental organisation representing more than one thousand organisations of persons with disabilities around the world. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs suspended payments of the government grant to IDA in February 2024 to investigate concerns about the organisation’s management practices, allowances paid to the leadership and the equality and fairness of benefits.

To support its investigation, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs commissioned an external review to examine funds allocated within the project funded by Finland. The review found that sufficient proof of utilization was lacking for the use of EUR 5,765. Otherwise, the review did not reveal any issues with the implementation and reporting of the project.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will recover the amount in question with interest included (a total of EUR 6,506) and continue payments of the government grant. The Ministry will, together with other donors, monitor the steps taken by the organisation to strengthen its governance, financial administration and internal control.

IDA plays an important role in defending the rights of persons with disabilities both internationally and at the country level in developing countries, where it cooperates with the organisations of persons with disabilities that it represents. Finland has granted a total of EUR 2,145 million in funding for IDA for a project to advance the economic, social and cultural rights of persons with disabilities especially in southern Africa in 2022–2024. 

The Foreign Ministry takes all cases of suspected misconduct very seriously. It funds only organisations whose activities are based on transparent practices and equally applied rules.