The Weekly
Matthew Maury, what is at the top of your mind this week?
This week, ACFID is in Brisbane engaging with members through our Member Connect event tonight and the Introduction to the Sector Workshop tomorrow (there is still space for last minute bookings for both). The Connect event is a great chance to hear the latest news from ACFID, to network with peers in Brisbane, and to discuss emerging issues facing our work.
A reminder that the ACFID Constitutional Review Member Information Session is being held virtually on 5 June. We encourage members to join the discussion and learn more about the proposed areas of change ahead of further consultation with the membership later this year.
In addition, members should also keep an eye out for the 2026 ACFID Statistical Survey, which will be distributed this week. The survey is an important source of information about our sector, helping ACFID build the evidence that underpins our advocacy and better demonstrate the collective contribution of members and the communities they support. It is also a very valuable way for you to ensure that your agency is represented to donors, government and media in the coming year.
Looking ahead, ACFID will host a Deputy Head of Mission (DHOM) briefing with Fiji and ACFID members on 12 June. We value these opportunities for direct dialogue between members and diplomatic representatives, and encourage organisations with programs or interests in Fiji to register.
Finally, as part of our updated Strategic Plan, ACFID will be elevating its focus on communications and media engagement. To that end, we are recruiting a new lead role which you can read about more here. Please share this with your networks!
To Note
ACFID 2026 Statistical Survey – Coming Soon!
The 2026 Statistical Survey will be sent to CEOs and Survey contacts this week – please keep an eye on your inbox. More information will be provided shortly, including important updates and instructions for this year’s survey.
For those unfamiliar, ACFID’s Statistical Survey is an annual survey sent to all members to capture data on key areas such as programmatic work and financial information. This helps us build a stronger picture of the sector so we can advocate for members and the communities you support, and promote your work with key stakeholders.
To Action
Impacts of Middle East conflict on ANGOs and local partners
As part of ACFID’s advocacy and response to the Middle East conflict, we are requesting insights (whether case studies, stories, general impacts) from members. These examples will be used to produce media and advocacy products on behalf of the sector to raise awareness of how the current crisis is affecting communities, Australian NGOs and their local partners. These examples could include how fuel and fertiliser shortages are contributing to, or worsening, current food insecurity, how increased costs of basic goods and services are leading to negative coping mechanisms, and/or how increased operational costs are resulting in reduced reach/support.
Please send these examples by email (and any questions) to Imogen –[email protected] or Lanni – [email protected] by the 11th June.
To Attend
ACFID Constitutional Review – Member Information Session
The ACFID Board has undertaken a review of the ACFID Constitution this year, with changes to be presented to the membership and taken to vote at the Annual General Meeting in October this year. This session will provide an overview of the proposed areas of change only, providing members with an opportunity to ask questions and identify areas of the constitution that they believe should be addressed. There will be additional member consultation sessions in July where members will have an opportunity to view the actual proposed amendments. Any enquiries should be directed to the Business Director, Raewyn Lans.
Date: 05 June 2026
Time: 10:00AM – 10:30AM (AEST)
Register here
To Attend
Fiji DHOM briefing with ACFID members
Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner-designate to Fiji 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.
The Deputy High Commissioner-designate has expressed interest in hearing from members about relevant development issues in the region. Several ACFID members have active projects in Fiji. Register via this form to receive calendar invites for the briefing and prep meeting.
Date: 12 June 2026
Time: 3:00PM – 4:00PM (AEST)
Venue: Online (Teams link will be sent)
Email:[email protected] for queries
To Action
Call for ACFID National Conference 2026 Concurrent Sessions – Deadline Approaching
A reminder that expressions of interest for Concurrent Sessions at the 2026 ACFID National Conference are due Friday 5 June 2026.
We encourage members and sector partners to propose participatory sessions that contribute to this year’s theme, Mobilising the Collective: Reshaping Systems for a Just Future.
Submit EOI by Friday 5 June 2026 to Anne Fitzpatrick
To Note
Message from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing would like to remind aid agencies, humanitarian NGOs and individual humanitarian workers of the Australian Government’s guidance on departing and returning aid workers.
If your organisation, or you personally, are planning to deploy to the current Ebola outbreak, please read the linked policy and help keep yourself and the Australian community safe upon your return. If you have staff operating in the affected regions, please get in touch with [email protected] who is co-ordinating briefings with the The Department of Health”.
To Register
ACFID National Conference 2026
ACFID National Conference 2026 will bring the sector together in Canberra to share ideas, challenge thinking, and strengthen collaboration.
With the theme Mobilising the Collective: Reshaping Systems for a Just Future, the conference is your moment to connect, get inspired, and be part of shaping what’s next for the sector.
Register your ticket here
Explore more information on conference, program details, accommodation options and more here.
To Attend
Advancing Disability‑Inclusive and Gender‑Responsive Finance by Opportunity International Australia
Join Opportunity International Australia on June 10 for their webinar to learn how financial systems in Indonesia can become more inclusive for women and persons with disabilities, particularly in digital finance and cooperative services. Bringing together government, financial institutions, OPDs, and development partners, the session will explore practical approaches to improving equitable access to finance and strengthening inclusive financial practices. The webinar will also officially launch two resources: the GEDSI tools for inclusive financial systems and KOMIDA’s animated disability etiquette resource. Participants will gain insights from policy perspectives, implementation experiences, and cross-sector collaboration to support more inclusive and disability-friendly financial services.
Date: 10 June 2026
Learn more and register here.
To Attend
Free Online Modules on Safe, Responsible and Effective AI Usage
ACFID is pleased to launch 4 free, self-paced e-learning modules on safe, responsible and effective AI usage on Learn with ACFID. These modules are suitable for complete beginners to AI as well as those already experimenting with AI who want to strengthen their skills. Content focuses on explaining key AI concepts and practical and ethical use of AI in the Development and Humanitarian sectors.
This program was developed by Plan International Australia with support from AVPN and the University of Melbourne’s Centre for AI and Digital Ethics (CAIDE). It includes four modules: What is AI? Risks and Realities of AI. Using Platforms and Prompts. Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and AI Agent Basics.
The online modules are open to all: to access the course, create a free account on Learn with ACFID and begin the Safe, Responsible and Effective AI Usage module available here: Safe, Responsible and Effective AI Usage E-learning.
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.
Upcoming Events
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Events |
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4 June |
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5 June |
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10 June |
Advancing Disability‑Inclusive and Gender‑Responsive Finance by Opportunity International Australia |
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12 June |
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23 July |
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12 – 14 October |
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4 Nov |
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5 Nov |