The Weekly

This is a reminder that the ACFID Weekly is changing…and next week it will move from Friday to Wednesday. This is in response to feedback from several members who have noted Friday afternoon is not the best time to get a weekly newsletter. We continue to value your feedback on how we can ensure our communications are best for you – so please send any feedback!

Please mark your diaries! We are also pleased to confirm that the ACFID National Conference will take place on 13–14 October in Canberra. We encourage members to save the date, with further details to be shared in the coming months.

This week, ACFID has convened the Code of Conduct Committee (CCC) in Canberra on Thursday and Friday, continuing our important governance and accountability work with members. Thanks to all of our members who have people from their teams involved in this important work.

Looking ahead, members are encouraged to note two upcoming engagements. On 24 February, DFAT will host an ACFID member CEO roundtable in Sydney. If you were unable to attend the DFAT/CEO roundtable earlier this month in Melbourne, then you are welcome to attend the Sydney event (several members who are based in other locations have opted to travel to participate). Feel free to write me if you have any questions.  

Please also note that on the 23rd of March, members are invited to attend sector review report “Australian NGOs as Strategic Development Partners” in Canberra — invitations were circulated last week.

Further details on these items are included below.

Weekly Data Shapshot

Humanitarian aid and emergency response continues to remain the largest programmatic focus area for ACFID members’ funding, underscoring the sector’s critical role in addressing conflict, disasters and escalating climate‑related crises. This is particularly important considering that the ​Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) 2026​ has recently identified that there are currently 239 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, and an estimated US$33 billions dollars is required to carry out planned responses that address these needs.

If your organisation does humanitarian work and would like to join HRG, please contact Naomi Brooks at ​[email protected]​ for more information. ​

Check out our ​Interactive Aid Map​ for more data.

To Note 

The ACFID Weekly Moving to Wednesdays

From next week (18 February), the ACFID Weekly will be delivered on Wednesdays instead of Fridays.

​​If colleagues in your organisation would like to stay informed about ACFID news, policy updates, learning opportunities and sector developments, please encourage them to subscribe ​here​ to receive updates from ACFID.

To Action

ACFID Conference 2026 – Save the Date

The 2026 ACFID National Conference has been confirmed for 13–14 October in Canberra. We look forward to bringing members and partners together for two days of sector connection, reflection and forward thinking.

Further details, including the theme and registration information, will be shared soon, please stay tuned.

To Action

ACFID Conference 2026 – Call out for Photos! 

As we prepare for the 2026 ACFID National Conference, we’re inviting members to help showcase the impact of Australia’s development and humanitarian sector.

If your organisation has recent, high-quality images that capture your work in action — whether in communities, partnerships, advocacy, or program delivery — we would love to feature them as part of the Conference. These images will be used across conference materials and visuals, highlighting the collective contribution of ACFID members.

Please send your photos to​ [email protected] ​including any relevant captions or photo credits.

We look forward to showcasing your work.

To Join

Join the ACFID Health Community of Practice (CoP)

​​ACFID has established a Health Community of Practice (CoP), open to all ACFID members. Multiple people from the same organisation are welcome to join.

The Health CoP provides a collaborative forum for members to engage on regional, global, and multilateral health issues. It supports shared learning on health programming, policy, and advocacy, with a focus on advancing health equity and strengthening health systems.

Members are also encouraged to get in touch if they are interested in co-convening the Health CoP. Convenors play a key role in helping shape priorities, facilitate discussions, and support collaboration across the group.

Please contact ​[email protected]​ if you would like to discuss convening or have any further questions about the Health CoP. 

To Attend

AP4D Webinar: Education as a Tool of Statecraft 

In a difficult and contested world, achieving Australia’s international objectives requires using all tools of statecraft. Australia’s education sector – its schools, technical institutions, universities, research and policy expertise – is an extraordinary whole-of-nation resource to help achieve this.

Tune in on Thursday 19 February, 12:30-1:30pm (AEDT) for this important discussion and hear from an expert panel on how Australia can capitalise on the opportunities that this significant national asset affords.

Speakers include:

• The Hon Julian Hill MP, Assistant Minister for International Education

• Susannah Patton, Deputy Research Director at the Lowy Institute

Date: 19 February 2026

Time: 12:30PM -1:30PM (AEDT)

Where: Online via Zoom. 

Register ​ here.

To Attend

Registrations open: Free Trainings on Safe, Responsible and Effective AI Usage

ACFID is offering a free four‑session training program on Safe, Responsible and Effective AI usage for all staff of our members. Developed with Plan International Australia, AVPN and The University of Melbourne’s Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, the course covers core concepts and practical skills for using AI in Development and Humanitarian contexts. Participants will work through resource packs and join facilitated group sessions over 6–8 weeks.

Click ​here​ to learn more and register.​

To Attend

ACFID Connect: Co-Design – A Bottom-Up Approach to Development Effectiveness

Join us for a webinar showcasing Transform Aid International’s Co-Design approach—a participatory method that empowers communities to shape and lead their own development agendas. This innovative practice promotes genuine localisation, power-sharing, and the decolonisation of development interventions. Gain practical insights, hear lessons learned, and explore strategies for more equitable and sustainable programming.

Date: 18 February 2026

Time: 2:00PM – 3:30PM (AEDT) 

Register ​here​. ​

To Attend

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.

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

​​OSKY have supported ACFID and its members since 2018 and are now generously offering a limited number of complimentary website cyber security audits. You will receive a plain-English report mapped to the ASD Essential Eight with a 30-day action plan, plus an optional 30-minute debrief.Places are limited and opt-in.

​​​Read more and reserve a place here.

Upcoming Events