The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) was set up in 1996 to improve outcomes of diabetic foot problems, and enhance communication and collaboration between the many professionals involved in diabetic foot care and those in a position to decide healthcare policy and provide funding. The IWGDF is a truly global network, comprising of representatives from many countries. In 2000, the International Working Group became a Consultative Section (IDF CS) of the International Diabetes Federation in order to facilitate the development of a worldwide network of foot representatives and to work together towards raising awareness of the costs and consequences of the diabetic foot. In 2003 the IDF CS/IWGDF has extended its aim. The IWGDF is now also a strong advocate of stimulating foot care programmes in the developing world. The successful Step-by-Step project, carried out in India and Tanzania, is a good example of the kind of activity that the Working Group is involved in.
   
One of the objectives of the IWGDF is to develop guidelines to reduce the impact of diabetic foot disease through quality and cost-effective healthcare, based on the principles of evidence-based medicine, augmented with expert opinion. The first International Consensus/Guidelines were launched in 1999. Since then, thanks to the organisation's global network, over 80,000 copies of the guidelines have been distributed throughout the world, and the publication has been translated into 26 languages.

All the material presented in this section belongs to the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot.