The Weekly
This week, I was pleased to Chair ACFID’s CEO/Board Virtual Roundtable on the topic of “Leadership in Locally-Led Action and Decolonisation”. Our main guest speaker was Dylan Mathews, who is the CEO of Peace Direct and a global thought leader on Locally-Led development. Dylan shared valuable insights on the role of leadership – especially Board’s – in advancing locally-led development. This sparked interesting ideas for ACFID members to consider. It was encouraging to also hear from ACFID member This Life Cambodia’s CEO Billy Gorter as he shared how their organisation has been putting these principles into practice. This whole discussion is incredibly topical for all of us as the Aid ecosystem undergoes massive changes this year.
On another note, this week at our Safer World for All electorate forums, we partnered with ACFID Members involved in the SWFA Campaign to host events in Parramatta and Wills. This was a great opportunity to show our candidates that Australians support the Australian Aid budget. A big thank you to everyone who joined us, and to the candidates for their honest reflections on Australia’s aid program, the global challenges we face, and how Australia can respond.
Next up – we’re heading to Leichhardt (Cairns) and Bradfield (North Sydney). Find more details on the Safer World for All page.
Lastly, we’re gearing up for next week’s events in Sydney—the CEO Networking Dinner on 11 March and the Introduction to the Sector workshop on 12 March.
The CEO event is full, but if you haven’t registered yet for the Intro to Sector, this is your last chance—there’s still time! Looking forward to seeing many of you next week!
To Attend
ACFID member meeting on impacts of U.S Stop Work Order
This is a weekly meeting to share and discuss the impacts and updates of the US Stop Work Order on ACFID members and hear from ACFID on the work being done with DFAT and other stakeholders.
Next meeting: Tuesday 11 March 4:30 – 5 pm
Register here
To Action
Recruitment: ACFID CEO Position
ACFID’s Board is seeking to appoint a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organisation. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the international development sector, drive key advocacy efforts, and strengthen ACFID’s role as a unifying voice.
Know someone who would be a great fit? Help us spread the word!
More information here
To Note
ACFID Spotlight on the Code Relaunch
ACFID recently relaunched the Spotlight on the Code blog, featuring Billy Gorter from This Life Cambodia. He highlights the importance of Community Driven Dialogue, addressing power dynamics, and being mindful of local language in locally-led development.
ACFID is sharing a digital version of Partos’ Power Awareness Tool, which helps partners identify decision-making topics and reflect on power levels in partnerships. You may have seen it in ACFID’s Locally Led Action Toolkit.
We’re also sharing Oxfam’s Inclusive Language Guide, offering advice on using inclusive language around gender, disability, race, power, and more.
To Note
ACFID in the Media
ACFID remains deeply concerned with the Israeli authorities decision to halt all aid into the Gaza strip. Please see our media release here. Additionally, ACFID also issued a media release alongside Congolese diaspora groups on the horrific humanitarian crisis there, you can find our statement here.
Melissa Conely-Tyler from the Asia Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue also wrote a piece on the US and UK aid cuts for the Conversation, which can be found here. Melissa also featured in a piece for Devex on the same topic. You can read the piece here.
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To Attend
Briefing with Australia’s Ambassador to Niue
Australia’s Ambassador to Niue has requested a meeting with ACFID members to explore partnership opportunities for development programming in Niue.
Topics will include
- A briefing from the Australian High Commission in Niue on current and emerging country priorities
- This will include a particular focus on the areas of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, tourism, microfinance, and faith-based NGOs
- Discussion with the High Commission on partnership opportunities in Niue
Date: Thursday 13 March
Time: 3-4 pm
Online via Teams
Register here
To Action
Consultancy: Misconduct Disclosure Scheme Toolkit
ACFID is seeking a consultant to develop a toolkit to provide practical guidance for Australian development and humanitarian organisations who want to participate in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
Full details can be found in the Terms of Reference and expressions of interest close on 21 March. Members are encouraged to share this opportunity with qualified candidates in their networks.
To Attend
Tentative: Briefing on ACFID’s Federal Budget Analysis
The launch of the Federal Budget for 2025-26 is currently scheduled for Tuesday 25 March 2025. If the federal election is called beforehand, then a budget will instead be handed down by the incoming Government (whoever they might be) after the election. While speculation on the timing of the election abounds, ACFID is continuing to plan for a Federal Budget to be handed down on 25 March. Our analysis of the budget will occur that night, with a written brief being sent to all members. ACFID is tentatively scheduling a briefing on our budget analysis on Thursday 27 March at 10am. Please register if you are interested in attending.
Date: Thursday 27 March
Time: 10am-12pm (AEDT)
To participate please register via this form and a link will be sent out shortly.
To Action
Public submissions now open: Australia’s Bilateral Investment Treaties
The Australian Government will soon commence discussions with Argentina, Pakistan, and Türkiye to review and modernise Bilateral Investment Treaties with those countries. If your organisation is interested, public submissions to this process can be made here. Submissions close 14th March 2025.
To Action
DFAT invites international NGOs to submit proposals for civil society strengthening in Kiribati
DFAT have invited ACFID members to submit proposals for the below grant opportunity.
The Australian High Commission in Kiribati is looking for an intergovernmental organisation or international non-government organisation to deliver a project to strengthen the nascent NGO and civil society sector in Kiribati as part of the Kiribati Leadership, Engagement and Accountability for Development (KiriLEAD) program. The project’s objective is to build the capacity of local organisations, thereby allowing them to access increased funding from donors and deliver inclusive and effective programs.
The maximum grant amount available for this project is up to AUD 3 million, with completion by 31 December 2028. Proposals are due by 14 March 2025. We understand that DFAT has not advertised this invitation publicly. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please reach out to Alan Hewson, at: [email protected] for further information.
To Attend
ACMC Protection of Civilians Course
ACMC will be holding a Protection of Civilians course in Canberra from 1-2 April 2025 at the QT Hotel. Register your nomination by 7 March 2025. Successful nominees will be advised by COB 12 March 2025 and provided joining instructions.
Further information can be found here.
To Attend
Upcoming ACFID Briefings: Hanoi and Palau Heads of Mission
ACFID is coordinating a briefing with the incoming Head of Mission to Palau at the ACFID Office in Deakin, and virtually for those who are unable to attend in person. Matthew Maury, Interim CEO of ACFID will chair. If your organisation has programs in Palau or Pacific regional programs relevant to Palau and your agency wishes to participate, please fill the form below.
Date: Monday 17 March 2025
Time: 9-10 am (AEDT)
Registration form
To Action
Opportunity to input into submission for Commonwealth Data Retention Review
The Department of Home Affairs has reached out to ACFID’s members to provide a submission for the review on Commonwealth legislative data retention provisions that place obligations on industry. Input will be discussed and collated by ACFID’s Data Governance Community of Practice. The discussion paper can be found here. To contribute to this submission, join the ACFID Data Governance CoP, or contact [email protected] for more information.
To Attend
IWDA Event: Brave Space: How Feminist Principles Can Transform Your Work Life and Practice
Dates: March 17 & 18
Time: 9am-1pm AEST (over two consecutive days)
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: $420 + GST
15% discounts for enrolment of 3 or more staff members from your organisation.
Full scholarships are available for First Nations people. Please contact Clara at [email protected] to register.
Are you looking for a space where you can explore feminist principles in a way that feels welcoming, inclusive, and transformative? Over two days, IWDA’s upcoming Brave Space workshop will introduce you to core feminist principles that can inform the way you work, live and lead. You will learn:
- Feminist Values in Action
- Understanding Power and Why it Matters
- Creating a Culture of Care and Resilience
Further details can be found here
To Action
Clear Horizon Offers 15% Discount on Training Courses for ACFID Network
Enhance your skills in evaluation, strategy, and impact measurement with expert-led courses tailored for the international development sector.
Upcoming courses include:
Evaluating Place-Based Approaches: Learn how to assess localised development initiatives effectively. (March 14)
Measurement, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) – A deep dive into MEL frameworks and their application. (March 21)
Most Significant Change – Explore an engaging storytelling-based approach to impact measurement. (May 2)
💡 Gain practical insights, strengthen your organisation’s impact, and apply learnings immediately.
Clear Horizon is offering a 15% discount to the ACFID network. Use code SAVE15ACFID at checkout to claim your discount.
Browse discounted courses in the ACFID Training Directory
Consultants
Food for thought
Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) Executive Director Melissa Conley Tyler and intern Viet Dung Trinh write in East Asia Forum that “Despite the challenges that 2025 will bring, Australia’s economic statecraft cannot focus only on domestic industry policy — it must also promote open trade and investment.”
“Australia has actively supported and played a leading role in the creation of global rules that underpin the rise of global trade, even being one of the founding members of the World Trade Organization. Particularly during the second Trump administration, Australia should focus on cooperating with like-minded states to ‘save the furniture’ of the global trading system.”
The article draws on recent consultations AP4D held with more than 40 experts from Australia and across the region. Click here to explore the resulting report, ‘What does it look like for Australia to navigate a new era of economic statecraft in the Indo-Pacific’.
Can Australia stay resilient in an unpredictable 2025?
East Asia Forum | Melissa Conley Tyler and Viet Dung Trinh
Upcoming Events
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Date |
Event |
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11 March |
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11 March |
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12 March |
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13 March |
ANCP Insights Webinar- Introduction to ANCP for new applicants |
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13 March |
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17 March |
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17 & 18 March |
IWDA Event: Brave Space: How Feminist Principles Can Transform Your Work Life and Practice |
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25 March |
DFAT NGO Accelerator – Global Development Leadership Dialogue # 4 |
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27 March |
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1 & 2 April |
To Attend
IWDA Event: Brave Space: How Feminist Principles Can Transform Your Work Life and Practice
Dates: March 17 & 18
Time: 9am-1pm AEST (over two consecutive days)
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: $420 + GST
15% discounts for enrolment of 3 or more staff members from your organisation.
Full scholarships are available for First Nations people. Please contact Clara at [email protected] to register.
Are you looking for a space where you can explore feminist principles in a way that feels welcoming, inclusive, and transformative? Over two days, IWDA’s upcoming Brave Space workshop will introduce you to core feminist principles that can inform the way you work, live and lead. You will learn:
- Feminist Values in Action
- Understanding Power and Why it Matters
- Creating a Culture of Care and Resilience
Further details can be found here
To Attend
Join the First Data Governance CoP Meeting: Shaping the Commonwealth Data Retention Review
The Data Governance CoP will be having its first meeting on March 7th! If you’re interested in data and AI, we’d love for you to join us! A key focus of this session will be gathering input for the upcoming Commonwealth Data Retention Review.
If you have any questions or wish to contribute to ACFID’s submission on the review, please reach out to a[email protected]
Jobs
Food for thought
Following US and UK development funding cuts, AP4D’s Melissa Conley Tyler and The Australian National University’s John Blaxland explain why “increased defence spending should not be at the expense of foreign aid: the preventive spending that guards against future threats.”
“Cutting aid might feel like a quick budget fix, but it will cost more in the long term as the world’s problems become expensive crises… Cutting aid is not a hard choice; it’s a weak choice—and a counterproductive one. People who care about Australia’s defence and security should be making this point.”
Britain’s cut to foreign aid undermines threat prevention
Australian Strategic Policy Institute | Melissa Conley Tyler and John Blaxland
Upcoming Events
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Date |
Event |
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28 February |
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03 March |
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05 March |
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05 March |
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11 March |
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12 March |
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13 March |
ANCP Insights Webinar- Introduction to ANCP for new applicants |
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17 March |
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1 & 2 April |