Conference series: ‘Between preservation and transformation – the aid sector at a crossroads’, June 2025 – January 2026

From 30/06/2025 to 31/01/2026 - Place : Paris & Plaisians

Starting in June 2025, Groupe URD is joining forces with several partners to organise a series of discussions, with the aim of providing a forum for strategic reflection and collaborative decision-making. The international aid sector is in shock. US budget cuts and reductions in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from most donor countries are severely impacting programmes and organisations. Offensive rhetoric against ODA is exacerbating the situation and creating new divisions within our societies regarding the relevance and importance of international solidarity. Faced with an unprecedented ethical and financial crisis, the international solidarity sector is at a crossroads, torn between the urgent need to survive and safeguard itself, and the need for profound transformation. Changes are coming. During this transitional period, the challenge lies in becoming an active participant rather than a passive observer. Thus, while discussions are underway within each organisation and collective, it is crucial to unite and engage in collective, in-depth reflection to consider long-term strategic change.

The international solidarity sector is shocked. US budget cuts and reductions in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from most donor countries are severely impacting programmes and organisations. Offensive rhetoric against ODA is exacerbating the situation and creating new divisions within our societies regarding the relevance and importance of international solidarity. Following the initial shock, calls for profound changes to funding methods, the role of local actors, bureaucracy, organisations, governance and relations with civil society have quickly emerged, while efforts are focused on safeguarding existing jobs, programmes, expertise, capacity for action, partnerships and principles.

The international solidarity sector is at a crossroads: safeguarding or transformation. Changes are coming. During this transitional period, the challenge lies in becoming an active participant rather than a passive observer, taking action rather than merely reacting. Therefore, while each organisation and collective is reflecting on the issue, it is crucial that they come together to engage in collective, in-depth discussion to consider long-term strategic change.

In this context, Groupe URD is joining forces with several partners to organise a series of discussions starting in June 2025, with the aim of providing opportunities for strategic reflection so that we can move forward together towards possible courses of action.

An initial day will be organised on 30 June 2025 in Paris, in partnership with Coordination SUD and VOICE, bringing together the leaders of French international solidarity organisations. It will provide a space for sharing concerns and work undertaken, building a shared diagnosis, and will directly feed into a longer-term reflection process by identifying the collective work to be prioritised.
The Autumn Schools on Humanitarian Aid will then provide an opportunity for further discussion, with NGO leaders invited to continue the reflection begun in June, along with other key actors involved in transforming the humanitarian ecosystem and development cooperation, such as local partners, foundations, the United Nations, institutional partners and donors, as well as research institutes.
Coordination SUD’s Community Life Day on 27 November 2025 in Paris will be a third step towards collectively developing proposals and opening up to other actors.
The Humanitarian Space Forum (FEH), organised by the association Alternatives humanitaires, will take place in January 2026 in Paris and will also continue the discussion on this topic.