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

Access to water and WASH facilities is central to Timor’s development

Sep 21, 2026

Drawing on 30 years of water programming at the Nusa Tenggara Association, Phil Domaschenz explores the importance of access to water and WASH facilities to Timor’s development - both in Timor Leste and Indonesian Timor in the west.

AIDN Beat Spotlight – Dillyana Ximenes

Sep 15, 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 Dillyana Ximenes: Executive Director of Maluk Timor, Timor-Leste.

A new model for collaborative philanthropic partnership: perspectives from Timor-Leste’s education system.

Sep 14, 2026

Operating as the Education Collective for Timor-Leste, Better Purpose, the Octava Foundation and =Dreams Asia argue that philanthropy in aid-dependent nations must move beyond disconnected projects to support government-led priorities. By grounding investments in evidence, fostering genuine partnerships, and using capital catalytically, funders can help strengthen fragile education systems rather than burden them.

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Joint perspectives from Australia and Timor-Leste on localisation at Educating The Future

11 September 2026

Frenky de Araujo and Adam Hegedus reflect on Educating The Future’s intentional process of localisation in Timor-Leste over the past few years. For Frenky and Adam, localisation is not an overnight process. Rather, it is a long-term, relational journey underpinned by ongoing Australian-Timorese relations, skills transfer and local ownership. In practice, localisation must also consider organisational and financial sustainability.

What role can Australians play in strengthening Timor-Leste’s education system?

21 July 2026

Caitlin McGrath, Program Director at Mary MacKillop Today, examines the role that Australian philanthropic partnerships can play in Timor Leste's education system, and shares the lessons learned from a 10-year partnership between Mary MacKillop Today, the O'Brien Foundation Australia and World Mosaic. Caitlin exhibits a case study in what Australian funded, yet locally-led, development in one of our closest neighbours can look like in practice.

AIDN Beat Spotlight – Sakshi Thakur OAM

7 July 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 Sakshi Thakur OAM: co-founder and CEO of Sewing the Seeds, India.

From access to learning: What Cambodia reveals about a defining shift in global education reform.

1 July 2026

Sally Miles, CEO of SeeBeyondBorders Australia, examines the shift in global education reform: from increasing access to education numbers, to ensuring quality education. This shift requires emphasis on teacher professional development, leadership that prioritises teaching, learning and supporting teachers, and fully embedding improvements into existing systems - both local, regional and national.

From local to global: Unlocking community-driven giving.

19 June 2026

Stephanie Hill, Philanthropy and Engagement Manager at Payton Foundation, writes about the power of physical presence through immersion trips, challenging assumptions, deepening empathy, and giving a richer understanding of the work. The more people that encounter the stories, relationships and leadership, the more likely they are to engage.

Our journey as a funder: Trust, learning, and humility.

19 June 2026

Lenah Gideon, Grantmaker & Program Strategist at Partners for Equity, shares the journey of funding South Sudan’s Education Bridge before ever setting foot in the country, proving that backing local leaders with flexible, trust-based relationships is often the best way to achieve real impact.

Why the Skoll World Forum is a worthy quest for Australian funders.

19 May 2026

Originally published by Philanthropy Australia, Darrell Wade, Chair of Philanthropy Australia and co-founder of Intrepid Travel, shares what to expect at the Skoll World Forum and what there is to be learned during the jam-packed week in Oxford, as well as why it is worth the investment.

AIDN Beat Spotlight – Tadala Kandulu Ngosi

6 May 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 Tadala Kandulu Ngosi: founder and Executive Director for MATCH Foundation, Malawi.

NGO/NGO collaboration is vital in 2026’s reduced funding ecosystem.

14 April 2026

In a drastically reduced funding landscape, how can we ensure that the sector is working smarter, not harder, to address the most complex challenges of our time? So They Can's Roselyne Mariki and Dr. Hannah McNicol argue that there is a clear opportunity for strategic and streamlined collaboration within the sector itself. Beyond traditional funder-to-NGO relationships, we need to be urgently pushing for more and better funder-to-funder and NGO-to-NGO collaboration.