Full Membership
Full Membership is open to organisations whose primary focus and spend is on international development work. Applicants for this category of membership must be non-profit International Development NGOs independently established and located in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland and who regard international development cooperation – including development education – as a primary aspect of their aims and work.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership is open to organisations whose international focus and spend is less than 50% of its overall activities. This category of membership is aimed at those organisations who do not meet the criteria for full membership but that work in related or similar fields to that of Dóchas members, with a linkage to International Development. This may include academia, civil society/voluntary and community organisations, Trade Unions, Charitable Trusts and Foundations, etc.
Commitments and Standards
Whether applying to be a full or associate members, all Dóchas members must comply with the following standards:
Membership Fees
The Dóchas membership fee structure is based on four key principles:
- A transparent and fair fee system that respects and encourages a diverse and inclusive network committed to international development and humanitarian action.
- A fee structure that allows appropriate and sustainable income growth for the Dóchas Secretariat so that it remains fit for purpose to meet the needs of its members.
- A structure that maintains the members’ ownership and independence of the network by ensuring an appropriate balance between ‘membership funding’ and ‘institutional grants’.
- A system that is efficient and clear in order to minimise administrative costs, and allow multi-annual planning for both members and the Secretariat.
Full Membership
Organisations are eligible to join Dóchas as Full Members if their primary focus and spend is on international development work and if they meet the Full Member Membership Criteria, which includes:
- Work in international development (projects, education, emergency aid or volunteer sending).
- Headquartered in Ireland, (or, the Irish branch has substantial powers of decision-making in its own right, including control and disposal of funds and appointment of personnel).
- Have been established in Ireland for at least two years comply with Dóchas policies and criteria for membership
Fees for Full membership of Dóchas are calculated on the basis of an organisation’s total income in the previous financial year.
How to Apply
Please download, complete and return by post the full membership application form to Dóchas at the address in the footer of this page.
Associate Membership
Dóchas introduced Associate Membership in 2013 as a way to contribute towards achieving these strategic priorities:
- Embedding global development more deeply in Irish life and civil society
- Supporting Dóchas’ mission and improving the quality of development work
- Maintaining and enhancing public support in Ireland for global development
- Broadening Dóchas’ engagement and support base
Associate Membership is open to organisations whose international focus and spend is less than 50% of its overall activities. This category of membership is aimed at those organisations who do not meet the criteria for full membership but that work in related or similar fields to that of Dóchas members, with a linkage to International Development.
Fees for Associate membership are based on an organisation’s income spent on their international development programmes in the previous financial year.
How to Apply
Please download the Associate Membership application form and return by post to Dóchas at the address in the footer of this page.