We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Policy

International development

From
Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture
Directorate
External Affairs Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Economy, International
Overview

International development means activities which aim to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries. It is one of the most important ways that Scotland can be a good global citizen.  

Our International Development Fund (IDF), established in 2005, is forecast to rise from around £10 million in 2021 to £15 million by mid-2026.  

Actions

Our partner countries are Malawi, Rwanda, Zambia and Pakistan. We support their efforts to respond to global challenges and to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.  

We do this through the following actions: 

  • ensure that a principled and human rights-based approach is at the heart of how we work, including the design, implementation and evaluation of our programmes 

  • we launched the Climate Justice Fund (CJF) in 2012, and were the first nation to commit funds specifically to climate justice. We have committed to increase this fund to £36 million by mid-2026 

  • create new global health programmes to share our expertise and champion investment in alignment with partner country priorities, and to make faster progress on global sustainable health goals 

  • support inclusive education in our partner countries, with a focus on improving access to education for the most marginalised – particularly women, girls and learners with disabilities and additional support needs 

  • champion gender equality throughout our international development portfolio, as well as the creation of dedicated equality-focused programmes 

  • established a Global Renewables Centre (GRC), which shares knowledge and resources between Scotland, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia, enabling increased use of sustainable energy  

Background

Scotland’s International Strategy and Global Citizenship: Scotland's International Development Strategy explain how our international development work and responses to humanitarian emergencies are a key part of our contribution to the global community. 

We have a successful record of delivering internationally since the beginning of devolution in 1999 – read the progress report Contribution to international development 2021 to 2023. 

We implement our international development programmes through a range of civil society organisations, some of them based in Scotland. By law, we cannot provide funding directly to partner country governments. 

We also share information with the UK Government about how we work in our partner countries, and are aligned with its approach to safeguarding.  

We report our Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend to the UK Government each year, and it is then included by the UKG within its overall ODA return to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and counted within the overall UK ODA towards its commitment to spend a set percentage of UK gross national income on ODA.
The UKG also publishes our total ODA spend each year within its Statistics on International Development: UK ODA spend. The most recemt 2023 reports are avaliable:

Contact

You can follow or engage with the International Development Team: 

  • by phone on 0300 244 4000

  • or by post: International Development Team, Scottish Government, 2H North, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ 

Back to top