Following the release of the federal budget on the 12th of May, please join us online for the annual member-only budget briefing. The link for registrations will be shared in the next weekly newsletter. 

Weekly Data Snapshot

Global Environmental Awareness and Action: From Mother Earth Day to COP31

International Mother Earth Day, observed each year on 22 April since 2010, serves as a global moment to reflect on our shared responsibility to care for the planet and to strengthen collective action on environmental protection, sustainability and climate resilience.

Translating this shared responsibility into tangible climate action, the lead‑up to COP31 later this year presents a critical opportunity for coordinated leadership. The Pacific Pre‑COP meeting, to be held in Fiji from 5–8 October, will play a key role in elevating Pacific voices, aligning Pacific priorities with those of other climate‑vulnerable nations, and setting expectations ahead of negotiations in Antalya. 

To Attend

Women Deliver Events 

Are you going to the Women Deliver conference in Narrm (Melbourne) next week? 

ACFID is co-hosting a side event and would love for you to join us. On Our Terms: Indigenous Women Defining Economic Power and Self-Determination brings together Indigenous entrepreneurs, young leaders, researchers, development practitioners and government representatives to explore what economic empowerment looks like when Indigenous women define it on their own terms.

Join us on Thursday April 30th from 12:00PM – 1.30PM

ACFID members are also invited by AIDN to join them at Open Ground, a free gathering space for the global development community to meet with colleagues, network with new friends, or have some time out. Open to anyone with an interest in international development, philanthropy, and the advancement of women and girls. Open Ground runs between Tues 28– Thurs 30 April. Find more ​here​. 

To Attend

CEO Roundtable with the Minister of Intl Dev in Sydney

We are pleased to announce an opportunity for our Sydney – based Member CEOs (or nominated delegates) to meet with Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly. Minister Aly had a similar meeting a few months ago in Melbourne and has been looking forward to a similar engagement in Sydney. CEOs not in Sydney, and who didn’t attend in Melbourne, are also welcome. Please be in touch with ​Matthew Maury​ or ​Naomi Brooks​ with any questions.

Date: 5 May 2026

Time: 9:30AM – 10:15AM AEST

Register ​here​. More details will be sent around soon.

Date: 5 May 2026

Time: 9:30AM – 10:15AM AEST

Register ​here​. More details will be sent around soon.

To Attend

ACFID Code of Conduct Drop-In

The Code team will be hosting its second online 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 the Code team and give feedback or ask your compliance questions.

Date: 13 May 2026 

Time: 3:00PM – 4:00PM AEST

Log into your MY ACFID account and register your interest ​here​

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

To Join

Managing Contractor partnerships – Add Your Perspective  

ACFID is inviting members who are currently working with Managing Contractors to join a discussion on key issues, emerging opportunities, and creating healthy and strategic partnerships. This session is aimed at ACFID Member CEOs (or their delegates) and will help identify practical ways to improve the current system, ways of working and partnerships with MCs across the sector and to inform future engagement with DFAT and IDCC. 

The session will take place in May (date to be confirmed). If you are interested in joining this discussion, please register your interest with Ujjwal Krishna at ​[email protected]​. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Matthew at ​[email protected]​.

To Attend

Racial Justice Policy Writeshops 

ACFID members are invited to join the upcoming online Racial Justice Policy Writeshop. The purpose of the Writeshop is to help ACFID members develop a policy, statement or guideline that articulates their organisational commitment to the pursuit of racial justice.

This two-session writeshop will create space for reflection, peer learning and structured support to translate commitments such as anti-racism, safeguarding and locally led development into organisational systems and responsibilities. Participants will work collaboratively to draft or strengthen racial justice policies, statements or guidance that are credible, practical and aligned with their organisational context. 

Session 1: 30 April 2026 | 1:00PM – 4:00PM AEST | Register here 

Session 2: 14 May 2026 | 1:00PM – 4:00PM AEST | Register here

To Attend

Thailand HOM briefing with ACFID members

Australia’s Ambassador-designate to Thailand has requested a meeting with ACFID members to discuss Australia’s development priorities in the country. Please note that we will also organise a prep meeting prior to the briefing, to coordinate with members, agree on key messages, and finalise a meeting agenda. These details will be shared with participants who have registered for the briefing.

Australia’s development cooperation with Thailand is delivered through regional programs including Australia’s ASEAN programs, the Mekong-Australia Partnership, and Partnerships for Infrastructure. Australia continues to collaborate with Thailand to improve regional responses to development challenges in ASEAN. In addition, Australia provides small grants for development activities to support local communities and non-government organisations in Thailand through the Embassy’s Direct Aid Program. The Mekong hub is located at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Ambassador-designate has expressed interest in hearing from members about relevant development issues in the region. Several ACFID members have active projects in Thailand. Register via this form to receive calendar invites for the briefing and prep meeting.

Date: 30 April 2026

Time: 4:00PM -5:00PM  AEST

Venue: Online (Teams link will be sent)

Email [email protected] for queries.

To Attend

ACFID Connect: Webinar on Foreign Bribery

We are inviting input into the conference through program suggestions, concurrent session submissions and nominations for our 2026 awards.  You can read the full conference concept note ​here​. 

Program Input | Submit ​suggestions​ by Friday 1 May 2026 

Concurrent Sessions | Submit ​EOI ​by Friday 5 May 2026 to​ Anne Fitzpatrick ​

2026 ACFID Awards | Submit ​nominations​ by Friday 28 August 2026

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!

Consultants

Exclusive Offer – Transform Your Board & Committee Governance

Athena Board is proud to partner with ACFID to help not-for-profits save time, secure documents,and improve governance.

Trusted by charities, international aid agencies, and community organisations across Australia,Athena Board’s secure platform makes it easy to collate, produce, and share board materials while protecting sensitive information. ISO27001 certified and fully encrypted, it’s built to meet the highest standards of security – at a price designed for the NFP sector.ACFID members receive 10% off Athena Board’s already low NFP rates, giving you a high-performing,low-cost solution to:

• Reduce admin time and streamline meeting preparation

• Strengthen governance and compliance

• Provide directors with tools like digital voting, annotations, conflict registers, and offline access

Upgrade your governance with a platform your board will actually enjoy using. Read more here.

Locally Led Action CoP Meeting and Networking Event

The ACFID Locally Led Action Community of Practice is hosting a hybrid meeting with Gunjan Veda, Global Secretary of the ​Movement for Community‑Led Development (MCLD).​

This session will explore community‑led and locally driven approaches to development, including shifting power to communities, rethinking partnerships, and challenging dominant development models. Gunjan will share insights from her global work with community organisations and INGOs, and from her recent book ​Community‑led Development in Practice: We Power Our Own Change​.

All LLA CoP members, and others interested in locally led development, are warmly invited. There will be time for informal networking after the session for those attending in person.

Date: 4 May 2026  | Time: 1:00PM –2:00PM AEST (networking to follow in person)
Location: Mary MacKillop Today, North Sydney, and online

To join: Meeting details are available on the ​Communities Platform​.

Please RSVP to Caitlin McGrath at ​[email protected]​ if attending in person.

Jobs

Development Manager  | Conciliation Resources Australia | Read more here

GEDSI Adviser | Centre for Sustainable Development Reform at the University of New South Wales | Read more here

Senior MEL Adviser |  Centre for Sustainable Development Reform at the University of New South Wales | Read more here

Upcoming Events