The Weekly
This week, the ACFID Board met to discuss our responses to the immediate impacts of the USAID crisis. We also began to work on plans for the longer term implications – considering how shifts from governments around the world are resetting the development landscape in which we all operate. We are working on plans to invite all of our members to participate in these bigger strategic discussions in the coming few months. More to come!
I was sad to hear the news this week that Lyn Morgain, Oxfam Australia’s CEO, has announced she’ll be stepping down after six years of outstanding leadership. Over her tenure, Lyn has made really significant contributions to the whole sector, including her service on the ACFID Board, and will be missed!
Lastly, a quick reminder to our members: the CEO Networking Dinner in Melbourne is happening next Thursday, 20 February. We’ll be discussing topics such as the USAID changes, our imminent federal election, and it is a chance to network with your peers. You can still register here. Hope to see you there!
To Attend
Adapting to the Future: Leadership in Locally-Led Action and Decolonisation – CEO/Board Virtual Roundtable
Board members and CEOs of ACFID members are invited to join a Virtual Roundtable discussion with international guest, Dylan Matthews, CEO of Peace Direct. The Roundtable is designed to equip CEOs and Board members of ACFID members with a deeper understanding of the Australian and global context surrounding locally-led action and decolonisation in international development. Come and learn from the experiences of others, explore emerging trends and opportunities, and engage with other leaders about how our organisations can adapt and thrive in the coming years.
Date: 05 March
Time: 6:30- 8:00
Venue: Online
Registration here
To Attend
Briefing on DFAT’s New Gender and Disability Strategies
DFAT is providing a briefing for ACFID members on the newly released International Gender Equality Strategy and the International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy.
When: Thursday, 20 February, at 4-5 pm
Where: Online.
Register here
If you have any questions or would like more information please email [email protected]
To Attend
Briefing on DFAT’s New Gender and Disability Strategies
DFAT is providing a briefing for ACFID members on the newly released International Gender Equality Strategy and the International Disability Equity and Rights Strategy.
When: Thursday, 20 February, at 4-5 pm
Where: Online.
Register here
If you have any questions or would like more information please email [email protected]
To Attend
ANCP Insights Webinar- Introduction to ANCP for new applicants
Date: 13 March
Time: 9:30-11:30
Venue: Online
Registration via MYACFID Portal: here
This webinar is for ACFID members wanting to apply for the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) for the first time. Hosted by ACFID and DFAT, don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and ask any questions about the process for applying and what to expect. DFAT Accreditation Assessors will provide tips to help your organisation prepare and unpack the accreditation criteria.
Please note that a Microsoft Teams link and calendar invite will be sent upon registration. If you run into any issues with the registration process, please contact [email protected]
Hosting a workshop, masterclass, or sector-relevant training? Make sure it’s seen by the right audience with ACFID’s new Training Directory.
Why list?
– Reach professionals actively looking to upskill.
– Sector-specific visibility—your programs will stand out.
– Free for members! Boost engagement with zero cost.
🔗 Search for or advertise your training now.
To Attend
ACFID Disability Equity Peer Learning Program – Registration closing next week!
Registrations are closing soon for the ACFID Disability Equity Peer Learning Program, designed to support the knowledge and practice of ACFID members in disability equity through interactive learning sessions, including Deep Dive webinars and group Learning Pod Sessions.
Date of Program: March to June 2025
Cost: $500 for Medium and Large Members, $200 for Small Members
Registration: More information and registration instructions are available here
To Note
Electoral Reform Bill
The Government’s Electoral Reform Bill has now passed both houses. ACFID remains deeply concerned at the unintended consequences of this legislation going into future elections (noting the changes don’t apply to the upcoming election).
ACFID is proud to be a part of and stand with the Stronger Charities Alliance, who have put out a statement this morning expressing concern over the decision.
To Note
ACFID in the Media
This week, ACFID CEO Matthew Maury continues to discuss the impacts of the USAID stop-work orders, appearing on ABC News Daily. The interview can be found here.
To Action
Civil Society Partnerships Fund
ACFID is continuing to engage with DFAT on the development and design of the Civil Society Partnerships Fund (CSPF). If you are interested in receiving news, updates and hearing about opportunities to engage on the CSPF – please register you interest with ACFID here.
We have no additional information to share on the CSPF at this time, but will build a mailing list from those who have registered and be in touch with the members of that mailing list.
To Attend
Briefing: Insights from the Charter for Change Due Diligence Tool Pilot
A group of organisations from the Charter for Change have piloted a Due Diligence Passporting Tool over the past few years (Charter for Change Due Diligence Passporting Tool | Humentum). Staff from 3 of these organisations – Trocaire, Cafod and CRS – have kindly offered to meet online with ACFID Members next week to share the findings from the pilot of this Passporting Tool.
When: Tuesday 18 February, 4-5 pm (AEDT)
Where: Online
Register here
Details on how to join will be shared after registration. The call will be recorded and shared with those who register.
To Attend
ANCP Insights Webinar- Introduction to ANCP for new applicants
This webinar is for ACFID members wanting to apply for the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) for the first time. Hosted by ACFID and DFAT, don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and ask any questions about the process for applying and what to expect. DFAT Accreditation Assessors will provide tips to help your organisation prepare and unpack the accreditation criteria.
Please note that a Microsoft Teams link and calendar invite will be sent upon registration. If you run into any issues with the registration process, please contact [email protected]
When: 13 March
Time: 9:30-11:30
Where: Online
Registration via MYACFID Portal: here
To Action
Blended finance survey: How would your organisation like to engage with DFAT’s INGO Accelerator program?
In November 2024, the Australian Government launched a new $10 million initiative called the Innovative Indo-Pacific NGO Accelerator to support NGOs to start, scale and “pioneer new approaches” to blended development finance.
The first round of grants for NGOs could be released as soon as the second half of this year. ACFID is in communication with DFAT about the best way to equip our members with the information they need to fully take advantage of the opportunities presented by the INGO Accelerator program.
This survey is designed to see which members are interested in further consultation and what specific information would be most useful.
To Attend
Hanoi HOM Briefing
ACFID is coordinating a briefing with the incoming Head of Mission to Hanoi, Vietnam. The briefing will take place at 4-5:30 pm online. Matthew Maury, Interim CEO of ACFID will chair. To register for the briefing please fill out this form
A prep meeting for members attending the briefing will be held on Tuesday 25 March 2-3 pm to discuss key areas of focus for the briefing. A teams link for both meetings will be sent following registration via the above link.
Date: Friday 28 February 2025
Time: 4-5:30pm (AEDT)
To Attend
Palau HOM Briefing
ACFID is coordinating a briefing with the incoming Head of Mission to Palau. The briefing will take place at 9am on 17 March 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 out this form
Date: Monday 17 March
Time: 9-10 am (AEDT)
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
Introduction to the Sector Workshops
ACFID will be hosting a series of Introduction to the International Development and Humanitarian Sector Workshops in early 2025. These participatory face-to-face events will include an overview of the history of international development and humanitarian action; an introduction to ACFID’s Code and role in the sector; guest speakers from a range of ACFID’s members; and, opportunities for networking and further learning. For queries contact [email protected]
Melbourne: Friday 21st February. Register here
Sydney: Wednesday 12th March. Register here
Online: Date tbc. Register interest here
To Action
Child Rights CoP – Restarting!
The ACFID Child Rights Community of Practice is meeting on the 26th of February for a “RESTART” meeting after a quiet period. The CoP is for organisations and staff with a focus or interest in children and child rights, to share information, best practice and collaborate on policy and influencing.
Date: Wednesday 26th February
Time: 11:00-12:00
To join: Join the CoP through MyACFID, or add the meeting to your calendar through the event page at Child Rights CoP – restart kick off meeting – Australian Council for International Development
To Attend
Racial Justice Community of Practice (RJCOP) – Upcoming Meetings!
The RJCOP is holding the following online meetings for 2025. Please join us and RSVP in the MYACFID portal. The first meeting is on ‘Brave Spaces – Holding difficult conversations’. This is open to all RJCOP members and allies.
- Thurs 27 Feb: RJCOP – Brave Spaces.
- Tues 15 April: Affinity Group – Intersectionality.
- Thurs 22 May: RJCOP – Power
- Tues 17 Jun: Affinity Group – The difference between identity and lived experience
- Thurs 21 Aug: RJCOP – De-centering the Self
- Tues 14 Oct: Affinity Group – Check-in (PoC mental health check)
- Thurs 13 Nov: RJCOP – Accountability
To join: find the meeting details in the RJCOP page of the Communities Platform, or reach out to Whitney Yip on [email protected]
Food for thought
Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue’s Grant Wyeth says that the impact of the USAID funding pause is devastating and heightens the need for Australia and other like-minded states to commit themselves to the core principles of international development. In a world where the great powers are disinterested in trust and responsibility, there’s much on the table for middle powers to pursue.
“It is cliché to state that a crisis creates opportunity, and no one should see this action by the Trump administration as anything other than disastrous for the communities that rely on this aid – especially the delivery of essential services. However, for Australia the new conditions within international development do present a set of choices that could ultimately be to its reputational benefit. To take advantage of this, Canberra needs to move quickly, and with intelligence and vision.”
With the US in Retreat, a Chance for Australia to Lead
The Diplomat | Grant Wyeth
Upcoming Events
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Date |
Event |
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18 February |
Briefing: Insights from the Charter for Change Due Diligence Tool Pilot |
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20 February |
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20 February |
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21 February |
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25 February |
Code online drop-in sessions |
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26 February |
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28 February |
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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 |