IDS is working with a number of international non-government organisations (NGOs) to explore themes of power and relationships, including Action Aid, Plan International and Oxfam Australia. 

In 2004-05 IDS collaborated with Learning by Design to undertake a major evaluation of Civil Society Participation as supported in-country by Cordaid, Hivos, Novib and Plan Netherlands.

IDS has also been invited to work with BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development) to explore how NGOs can be more accountable to their primary stakeholders or beneficiaries.