IDEA is delighted to announce that we have won a Good Governance Award in our category at the Carmichael Good Governance Awards 2025.   

We are proud to be recognised for excellence in governance standards, in particular for the quality and transparency of our 2024 Annual Report. This award reflects not only the work of the past year but also our ongoing commitment to accountability, learning, and sector leadership in 2025 and beyond. 

Congratulations also to our member organisations Oxfam, who won in their category, and to STAND and GOAL, who were shortlisted. It is inspiring to see such strong representation and achievement from across our community. 

We would like to express our gratitude to IDEA’s National Council for their tireless dedication, especially: 

• Cara Ryan, former IDEA Chair, for her steady leadership throughout 2024 
• Pierre Yimbog, IDEA Company Secretary 
• Martina Ryan-Doyle, IDEA Treasurer 

A heartfelt thank you to the IDEA team for their exceptional contribution. In particular: 



• Elaine Mahon, whose thoughtful leadership guided IDEA throughout 2024 
• Sal Healy, whose outstanding work as Operations & Finance Manager – and later as Interim Deputy Director – was central to our governance and reporting 
• Catherine Ginty, who played a key role in shaping and producing the Annual Report 

We would also like to acknowledge Bobby McCormack and Ruairí McKiernan, who stepped into the roles of IDEA Chair and IDEA CEO towards the end of 2024 and continue to steer IDEA forward with vision and purpose. 

A special thank you to Tony Daly of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World for his powerful exhibition 20 Objects, featured as part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations and showcased in the Annual Report. 

This award is a meaningful recognition of the care, collaboration, and commitment that underpin IDEA’s work. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making our governance culture as strong and ambitious as our mission. 

Read our 2024 Annual Report  here.