The AIDN Beat

AIDN’s core ethos is ‘more’ and ‘better’ global giving and we seek to foster an environment for the discussion and exploration of how we define these terms in an ever-changing international development ecosystem. Alongside our events, webinars and resources, The AIDN Beat is a key way to achieve this goal. The AIDN Beat strives to keep up with the rhythm of the international development sector and cover a broad range of subjects: from innovative development financing, to leading case-studies of programs on-the-ground, to the need for a genuine commitment to localisation.

We are also deeply committed to amplifying diverse voices. Consequently, we accept submissions to The AIDN Beat – so that our dynamic network can shape the discussion too. If you would like to submit content for The AIDN Beat, then we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us (via hannah@aidnetwork.org.au) and we will share our editorial guidelines.

Subscribers of The AIDN Beat will receive a bi-monthly email where we’ll share recent pieces from The AIDN Beat, alongside curated pieces from other international development platforms and provide a recommendation for a relevant text, film or podcast.

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NEWS & RESOURCES

Latest Stories and Developments

Hiding challenges from donors is a thing of the past: Transparency in the era of trust-based philanthropy.

Mar 25, 2026

Geena Dunne, founder and CEO of The Cova Project, deep dives into her experience of true trust-based philanthropy. Reflecting on The Cova Project's partnership with Anne Pike from the Roberts Pike Foundation, Geena explores how trust-based philanthropy requires requires genuine connection and donors willing to step back from the role of decision-maker and into the role of partner. In turn, this often leads to relationships defined by transparency and the open sharing of organisational challenges with donors.

Reassessing “Friends Of” fundraising structures: Emerging models for Australian supporters of international causes.

Mar 3, 2026

Amid tightening regulations and complex cross-border giving environments, Anita Toy, Founding Executive Director of Myriad Australia, explores how international giving in Australia is evolving beyond traditional DGR1 “Friends of” fundraising structures. This shift reflects global trends toward professionalised intermediaries and shared platforms that lower barriers to cross-border philanthropy and can enable more sustainable support for international development.

AIDN Beat Spotlight

Feb 18, 2026

Through The AIDN Beat Spotlight series we hope to highlight a diverse range of sector experts and learn more about their journey in the international development sector. Meet Cathy Scalzo: CEO of the Scalzo Family Office and Trustee of the Grace and Emilio Foundation. She is Chair of Australians Investing in Women, Deputy Chair of the Mornington Peninsula Foundation and on the board of the Social Impact Hub.

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A further expansion of the Global Gag Rule: An affront to reproductive rights globally.

13 February 2026

Grishma Bista, Chief Executive Officer of MSI Asia Pacific, provides our network with the latest update on the expansion of the 'global gag rule'. While the policy was historically focused on abortion,  it has now expanded to restrict 'gender ideology' and any efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).  With particularly devastating impacts on women in the Majority World, MSI is calling on the sector to push back on this war on reproductive rights.

Who pays for climate adaptation in Northern Kenya?

10 February 2026

Hadija Bonaya, development practitioner and Atlantic Fellow for Social and Economic Equity at the LSE, explores how climate adaptation in Northern Kenya is increasingly funded though projects and consultancies rather than through everyday services. In turn, this shifts the real cost of climate change onto low-income pastoralist communities, especially women, while the global climate finance system continues to reward institutions more than resilience.

Are founders the new funders? The case of the 1000 Days Fund and Black Licorice.

22 January 2026

Zack Petersen, Founder of Black Licorice and the 1000 Days Fund, argues that traditional funding mechanisms often overlook early-stage, locally rooted nonprofit founders. "Black Licorice" is challenging this model and instead proposes a “founders-as-funders” approach whereby experienced NFP leaders seed emerging organisations within their ecosystem. In the case of Black Licorice, the goal is to form Indonesia’s first tight-knit ecosystem of maternal health innovators: a peer-driven network capable of influencing national systems and donor priorities.

AIDN’s 2025 Summer Listening List

17 December 2025

AIDN has compiled our international development, philanthropy and global issues themed "Summer Listening List" for 2025 - based on 2025 Philanthropod seasons. We've grouped the episodes into broad themes to pique your interest….

Climate change does not cause land conflict; it exacerbates it: Latest research insights on land governance from Nigeria, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, and Chad.

15 December 2025

Elizabeth Daley serves as the Chair of the Board of the Land Portal Foundation and has worked as an independent consultant on land tenure, gender equity and social inclusion for over 20 years globally. She worked on FCDO’s SPARC programme from August 2024 to October 2025. In this piece, Elizabeth shares insights from the latest global research on the intersection of pastoral land governance, climate change and gender.

AIDN Beat Spotlight – Sumana Deni

9 December 2025

Through The AIDN Beat Spotlight series we hope to highlight a diverse range of sector experts and learn more about their journey in the international development sector. Meet Sumana Deni: Waste to Wealth and Community Engagement Coordinator with Positive Change for Marine Life in Gizo, Solomon Islands.

Unlocking diaspora giving: A new wave of philanthropists.

26 November 2025

With growing research underscoring the power of diaspora giving, Anita Toy, Founding Executive Director of Myriad Australia, argues it’s time to build the philanthropic structures needed to harness this major source of giving for sustained, high-impact change. It's also time to recognise migrants and diaspora communities as key contributors to global development alongside foundations and major donors.

Global aid cuts are the perfect time to move towards a model of refugee empowerment.

22 October 2025

Caitlin McCaffrie, Policy Director for Forced Migration at the Centre for Policy Development, provides unique insight into The 2025 Asia Dialogue on Forced Migration (ADFM). This year's ADFM underscored both crisis and opportunity for the global refugee system. On one hand, severe funding cuts. On the other, new policy shifts in Thailand suggest more sustainable, rights-based solutions in the region.

AIDN Beat Spotlight – Edward Ssempewo

1 October 2025

Through The AIDN Beat Spotlight series we hope to highlight a diverse range of sector experts and learn more about their journey in the international development sector. Meet Ssempewo Edward: advocate of the High Court of Uganda, systems leader, early-career researcher and, Founder and Executive Director of Rescue Mission for Street Life (RMFSL).