Fixing the money - Changing aid for real

Let’s talk about money.
In a world in upheaval, humanitarian action and development cooperation have become a microcosm of broader international global challenges – like the crisis of international law and principled policies, the strain on a rule-based order and the tension between solidarity and disruption and national interests. No aspect of aid mirrors these challenges, power imbalances and urgent reform needs more clearly than money and the way it flows in the aid sector.

Funding for development cooperation has been falling for years, and the humanitarian world is facing its biggest funding challenge ever. Millions of people in need are losing lifesaving support, while international aid itself is experiencing its deepest crisis yet. After years of reform efforts, the aid sector still relies on an uncoordinated and rapidly shrinking patchwork of bilateral grants, philanthropic donations, and increasingly politicised engagements.

At CHA26, we aim to discuss what it would take to fix the money, and in doing so, profoundly reform international aid:

What role can new funding models play?
Can pooled funds, mutual aid or the private sector be game changers?
How can financing enable rather than hinder local leadership?
Which role will public funding still play in future?
What is the future role of international NGOs in an increasingly competitive environment?
And how can aid organisations navigate the pressure of donor governments to advance national interests?

At CHA26, we will discuss these challenges, explore much-needed visionary reforms and examine what really works. Join us!
Learn more soon on the conference website: https://cha.lineupr.com/cha-conference-2026/

Online participation of selected sessions is free of charge.
We offer different ticket options. If none of these ticket options are suitable for you, for example because you are an employee of a local humanitarian organisation, please contact us at conference@chaberlin.org