The Weekly

This week marked the one-year anniversary of the US Stop Work Order which led to the demise of USAID.  In spite of other stories drawing the media focus domestically, ACFID  worked with the AAP to get this story circulated through several news platforms (see ​The Canberra Times,​) as we continue to tell the story of impact on our collective work.

We are in the process of finalising ACFID submissions for the two government inquiries related to ​gender equality and national security​ and ​development ​preventing conflict​​and also the ACFID pre-budget submission. Thanks to everyone involved in supporting these (and feel free to contact me if you have any questions).

Melbourne-based ACFID members will have received this week an invite from DFAT for a chance to meet on the 3rd of February.  They are keen to discuss your views of the state of the sector including challenges and opportunities. DFAT will also provide updates on DFAT’s international development and humanitarian program, including the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP), Civil Society Partnership Fund (CSPF), and the valued partnership with ACFID. First Assistant Secretary Steve Scott and Bridie Rushton will be attending and I encourage you to join if you are able. A similar event is expected later in February in Sydney.

Members are also encouraged to engage in upcoming governance and learning opportunities. These include an ACFID Connect session for CEOs and Board members exploring whether civil society organisations are equipped for the rapidly changing global context, as well as the first ACFID Code of Conduct online drop-in session for 2026, offering an informal space to ask questions and provide feedback. Further details on these events, including registration information, are included below.

Leading up to our Special General Meeting planned for 27 Feb, Member CEOs are also encouraged to consider the opportunity to nominate for a vacancy on the ACFID Board before nominations close next Tuesday.  I am happy to talk to any of you about the process and the work involved for those on the Board.

Weekly Data Shapshot

January 24 is designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Education, recognising education as a fundamental human right and its central role in advancing peace and sustainable development. In our latest statistical survey, members reported more than $102 million in funding for education‑focused projects across 47 countries. Education was also the third‑highest funded focus area, reinforcing the strong engagement and contribution of members to global education outcomes.

To Attend

ACFID Connect: Is Your Organisation Built for a World That No Longer Exists?

The humanitarian and international development sector is facing a reckoning. With humanitarian funding retreating to 2016 levels while global defence spending hits an all-time high of $2.7 trillion, the “peace dividend” of the last 80 years has effectively finished. Intersecting crises from increased conflict to the climate emergency to rampant inequality are demanding a different response from civil society. For Boards and CEOs of civil society organisations, the central question is often less likely to be about growth and more likely to be about survival.

Join this ACFID Connect, facilitated by ​Archie Law AM​, who will unpack the transformation journey of an ACFID Member, Act for Peace. This session is designed specifically for governance leaders who are grappling with the issue of whether incremental change in their organisations will be enough.

Intended audience: CEOs and Board members of ACFID members

Date: 12 March 2026

Time: 11:00AM – 12:00PM (AEDT)

Where: Online

Register ​here.

To Apply

Consultancy Opportunity: ACFID PSEA Country Mapping Update

ACFID is seeking an experienced safeguarding consultant or practitioner to undertake a desk‑based review of our ​PSEA Country Mapping of Known Context, Legislation, Reporting and Referral Pathways​. The consultant will update ten existing country profiles and develop two new mappings for Cambodia and Nepal, using publicly available information. This short‑term consultancy will run during February–March 2026. Applicants should have strong safeguarding expertise, excellent research skills, and the ability to work independently.

Read the ​Terms of Reference​.  Applications close 5pm AEDT, Thursday 5 February 2026.

To Join

ACFID Code of Conduct Drop-In

The Code team will be hosting its first online Code of Conduct drop‑in session for 2026. This session will not be recorded and aims to offer an informal space to talk about anything ACFID Code related. Please come and drop by to meet Whitney and Marvin from the Code team and give feedback or ask your compliance questions.

If you have any questions, please email the Code team at ​[email protected]​

Date: 19 February 2026

Time: 10:00AM – 11:00AM (AEDT)

Register ​here.

To Read

The ANU Development Policy Centre has just released analysis on the rise and fall of donations to Australian development NGOs. The DevPolicy piece draws on data from ACFID’s statistical survey alongside other sources, offering another strong example of how our data is being used to generate valuable sector insights.

Read more ​here. 

To Join

Introduction to ANCP for new applicants: Webinar

​​Is your organisation looking to apply for DFAT Accreditation for the first time? Join this webinar co-hosted by ACFID and DFAT to learn more and ask any questions about the application process and what to expect. DFAT Accreditation Assessors, Belinda Lucas and Geoff Simkiss, will provide tips to help your organisation prepare and unpack the accreditation criteria.

​​Date: 25 February 2026​

Time: 1:00PM – 2:30PM (AEDT)​

​​Where: Online​

​​Register ​here​.​

Consultants – Clear Horizon 15% off MEL Courses

Clear Horizon is a values-driven, B-Corp certified, women-led company. We support teams and organisations to monitor, evaluate, learn and ultimately to improve the impact of their strategies, programs and initiatives. We have nearly 20 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) across the international development sector, including working with DFAT, MFAT, World Bank, United Nations, INGOs and managing contractors. We work across a range of sectors including social and economic development, gender equality, disability inclusion, democracy and civil society strengthening, health, education, infrastructure, climate change and disaster resilience, and agriculture.

​​We are currently offering the ACFID Network 15% off the cost of five courses commencing in 2026. ​Check them out here!

Exclusive offer – Free Cyber security audits for ACFID members

Jobs

Partnerships Manager  | The Adara Group | Read more ​here ​

Community Campaigner – Safer World for All | ACFID | Read more ​here 

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