The Weekly

Firstly, I want to acknowledge the devastating earthquake in Venezuela and the significant challenges and humanitarian needs now facing affected communities. ACFID members are already responding through local partners and emergency relief efforts. We encourage members to help amplify the emergency appeal and support efforts to ensure assistance reaches those most in need. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy.

As we prepare for the AGM later this year, I also encourage members to participate in the upcoming deep-dive session on ACFID’s Constitution review on 15 July. A seperate email to Heads of Agencies will be sent shortly with further information as this will be the main consultation opportunity ahead of the final draft being circulated in August.

In addition, I would like to encourage members to register for the upcoming ACFID CEO Connects in Melbourne and Sydney and the Member Connect in Adelaide. These sessions provide an opportunity for sector leaders to share insights, discuss strategic challenges, strengthen connections across the membership, and hear updates on ACFID’s new Strategic Plan. Registration details are included below.

Finally, a reminder that early bird registrations for the 2026 ACFID National Conference will close at the end of July. If you are planning to attend, I encourage you to secure your ticket before the early bird period closes.

To Note

A keynote address by the Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP, Minister for International Development

Members may be interested to note that Minister Anne Aly will be delivering a keynote address at an upcoming event hosted by the McKell Institute in Sydney on 7 July.

Date: 7 July 2026

Arrival Time: 11:45AM ( AEST )

Event Time: 12:00PM – 1:45PM (AEST)

Venue: Sydney CBD (TBC)

Contact for registration: [email protected] 

To Note

Learn with ACFID – Site Upgrade on 3 August

ACFID’s e-learning platform, Learn with ACFID, will be offline on Monday 3 August while we undertake upgrades to improve the site’s layout and functionality. If you are currently enrolled in a course or planning to access learning materials, please plan ahead, as the site will be unavailable for most of the day.

We appreciate your patience while these improvements are being made.

To Attend

Deep-dive session on ACFID’s Constitutuion Review

ACFID is hosting a 30-minute deep-dive session on ACFID’s Constitution Review. The session will provide an overview of the review process and proposed changes and is the main member consultation opportunity prior to the final draft being distributed in August.

For questions or enquiries, please contact Chris Portillo, Executive Coordinator, at [email protected].

Date: 15 July 2026

Time: 11:00AM – 11:30AM (AEST)

Register here.

To Attend

3-min Code Survey: Let us know your needs! 

The Code Team wants to know how to support Members better with their Code requirements, reporting, and resources. Please fill out this 3-min survey to help us help you. If you take on any Code reporting responsibilities, please click here.

Also Join us for a webinar to discuss your Code reporting requirements, FAQs, and expectations on meeting the revised ACFID Code of Conduct. 

Date: 15 July 2026

Time: 10:00AM – 11:30AM (AEST) 

Register here.

To Attend

ACFID CEO Connects: Melbourne and Sydney

Details are below for our next round of Melbourne and Sydney CEO Connects. 

Melbourne:
Date: 22 July 2026

Time: 3:00PM-5:00PM (AEST)
Register here.

Sydney:
Date: 4 August 2026, 

Time: 3:00PM – 5:00PM (AEST) 
Register here.

To Attend

ACFID in Adelaide – July 2026

The ACFID Secretariat will be in Adelaide this July, and members and sector colleagues are invited to join us for two in‑person events focused on connection, learning, and engagement.

ACFID Connect: Adelaide – Members only

As part of ACFID’s 2026 series of in‑person networking events, ACFID Member Connect: Adelaide brings staff from ACFID member organisations together to share insights, strengthen relationships, and connect directly with the ACFID Secretariat.

This informal event provides a space to meet peers, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections across the international development and humanitarian sector.

Date: 23 July 2026
Time: 3:30PM – 5:30PM (AEST)
Location: St Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Wakefield St, Adelaide

Register here.

Introduction to the Sector – Adelaide

Open to all | Free for small ACFID members | Discounted for other ACFID members and students

ACFID is hosting a one‑day, face‑to‑face introductory workshop for staff, board members, and others who are new to the international development and humanitarian sector. This participatory workshop will include:

– An overview of the history of international development and humanitarian action

– An introduction to ACFID’s role and the ACFID Code

– Guest speakers from DFAT and ACFID member organisationsOpportunities for networking and further learning

Date:23 July 2026
Time: 8:30AM – 3:30PM (AEST)

Location: St Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Wakefield St, Adelaide

Register here.

To Register

ACFID National Conference 2026: Early Bird Registration Open Until 31 July

Join us in Canberra from 12–14 October 2026 for the sector’s flagship event, bringing together leaders, practitioners, advocates and partners under the theme Mobilising the Collective: Reshaping Systems for a Just Future.

Register here. 

Learn more 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 following upcoming courses:

– Systems Transformation: Strategy and Evaluation – 24 July 2026

– Most Significant Change – 31 July 2026

– Complete Guide to Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) – 7 August 2026

– Evaluating Place-based Approaches – 2 October 2026

Clear Horizon also offers 30% off group bookings (5+ participants). 

Explore upcoming courses and register here. 

Consultants

Exclusive Offer –  10% off Athena Board software

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.

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