The International Debate Education Association-UK is the United Kingdom-based national-level organization of the International Debate Education Association which was created in 1999 by the Open Society Foundations (OSF), a private grantmaking foundation created and funded by billionaire financier and left-of-center advocacy philanthropist George Soros. ¹

The organization has received heavy funding from the Open Society Foundations and the Foundation to Promote Open Society, major grantmaking foundations funded by Soros. ^{2 3}

Background

The International Debate Education Association-UK (IDEA-UK) is the United Kingdom national organization of the International Debate Education Association, an international network of organizations that focus on facilitating debates between young members of their respective communities.

The International Debate Education Association was created in 1999 by the Open Society Foundations, a private grantmaking foundation created and funded by billionaire financier and liberal philanthropist George Soros. Although OSF created IDEA to coordinate its debate programs, the organization is now a network that works with universities, schools, debate organizations, and community groups. It also “collaborates” with non-governmental organizations, foundations, corporate organizations, and governments. ⁴

The IDEA network of member organizations consists of over 1500 debate clubs and more than 4000 people from 84 countries that participated in the organization’s Youth Forum events. The organization is active in more than 60 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. ⁵

Financials

As the International Debate Education Association-UK is based in the United Kingdom, there is little information on its finances. According to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the government organization that registers and regulates charities in the U.K., IDEA-UK had a total gross income of £8,380 (approximately $9,840) in 2014, £95,080 (around $111,666) in 2015, and £206,810 (just over $242,887) in 2016. Its gross income then fell to £168,890 (approximately $198,352) in 2017 and dropped dramatically to £68 (just under $80) in 2018. ⁶

The organization’s total expenditures amounted to £201,980 (around $237,214) in 2014, £138,140 (approximately $162,237) in 2015, £136,340 (just over $160,120) In 2016, $137,410 (around $161,380) in 2017, and £77,240 (just over $90,714) in 2018. ⁷

Funding

The International Debate Education Association-UK has received funding from the Open Society Foundations. a private grantmaking foundation created and funded by billionaire financier and liberal philanthropist George Soros, and other affiliated organizations. ⁸

According to a tax return submitted by the Open Society Institute in 2013, IDEA-UK received a total of $191,212 (approximately £162,810) from the organization to support the development and maintenance of the idebate.org website, the website for the International Debate Education Association. ⁹

IDEA-UK also received funding from another of Soros’ foundations in 2013. The Foundation to Promote Open Society, one of two major grantmaking foundations funded by Soros and his primary grantmaking entity, provided IDEA-UK with five grants in 2013. ¹⁰

The foundation granted $200,930 (around £ 171,084) to support IDEA-UK’s debate activities, $80,000 (approximately £68,117) to create tools and materials for Russian-speaking members of the debate community, $85,000 (around £72,374) to support debate programs across the United Kingdom and Western Europe. The Foundation to Promote Open Society also sent another $40,900 (around £34,824) to support its grant assisting Russian-speaking members, and another $85,000 (approximately £72,374) to support debate across the U.K. and Europe. ¹¹

The International Debate Education Association-UK also received two grants from the Foundation to Promote Open Society in 2016. The foundation granted $227,787 (approximately £193,952) for “operational, organizational development, and project support,” and another $182,273 (around £155,200) for administrative support. ¹²

1. “About us – Who we are.” Please visit www.idebate.net for up to date inform. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://idebate.org/about-us-who-we-are.
2. “Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=international+debate+education+association.
3. Suozzo, Andrea. “Open Society Institute, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/137029285/201423189349101912/full.
4. “About us – Who we are.” Please visit www.idebate.net for up to date inform. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://idebate.org/about-us-who-we-are.
5. “Our History.” International Debate Education Association. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://idebate.net/who-we-are/our-history.
6. “INTERNATIONAL DEBATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION-UK – Charity 1139452.” The Charity Commission. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5014694/financial-history.
7. “INTERNATIONAL DEBATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION-UK – Charity 1139452.” The Charity Commission. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5014694/financial-history.
8. “Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=international+debate+education+association.
9. Suozzo, Andrea. “Open Society Institute, Full Filing – Nonprofit Explorer.” ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/137029285/201423189349101912/full.
10. “Foundation to Promote Open Society – 2013 – 990-PF.” Foundation Center. Accessed November 14, 2022. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/263/263753801/263753801_201312_990PF.pdf.
11. “Foundation to Promote Open Society – 2013 – 990-PF.” Foundation Center. Accessed November 14, 2022. http://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/263/263753801/263753801_201312_990PF.pdf.
12. “Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.” Open Society Foundations. Accessed November 14, 2022. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?filter_keyword=international+debate+education+association.