Strengthening Transnational Dialogue and Mobilizing Diaspora Support in a Rapidly Changing Landscape  DEMAC is hosting a closed-door 2-day Afghan Diaspora Conference on 20th and 21st October 2025 in Geneva.  The conference will be a timely opportunity to unpack, spotlight and facilitate discussions on the constructive role of the diaspora in mobilizing support for Afghanistan’s relief and development efforts, while reflecting on successful collaborations, new alliances, partnerships, mechanisms and modalities for engagement in times of shrinking institutional aid.  Why is this conference relevant? The global humanitarian landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Shrinking institutional funding, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and protracted crises are reshaping how aid is mobilized and delivered. Afghanistan is in particular enduring a prolonged humanitarian crisis, deeply intertwined with the economic shock and the abrupt stop of bilateral development assistance triggered by the takeover in August 2021. The recent US funding halt is anticipated to significantly affect Afghanistan, as it accounted for 43.9% of reported humanitarian funding in 2024 and provided approximately 60% of the funds committed by February 3 for the country's 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP). Additionally, dire economic conditions, climate-related and natural disasters, limited healthcare access, high levels of protracted internal displacement and forced returns from neighboring countries, continue to impact communities. In this rapidly evolving landscape, where innovative and locally led responses are much needed, diaspora organizations can serve as key actors to provide complementary support in places where formal systems struggle to reach. Anchored in their cultural knowledge, community trust, and transnational networks—diaspora actors offer support to flexible, fast, and locally informed response, often reaching communities that remain inaccessible to traditional actors. What will the participants experience over the two days: The Afghan Diaspora Conference 2025 will serve as a convening platform to:  Strengthen trust and collaboration among Afghan diaspora groups to enhance coordination, build alliances, and foster networks for more effective humanitarian and long-term resilience responses.  Deepen diaspora engagement in support of Afghanistan, identifying entry points for collaboration with local actors and other stakeholders and showcasing the evolving role of the diaspora in emergency response, recovery, and long-term resilience. This includes highlighting innovative diaspora-led funding models, crowdfunding initiatives, and partnerships that help scale and sustain locally led solutions amid shrinking aid.  Put diaspora perspectives and voices at the forefront, celebrating Afghan culture and identity through artistic expressions that reflect resilience, hope, and solidarity.   Who can participate? The conference will target Afghan diaspora actors, and will serve to convene various practitioners, experts and relevant stakeholders to engage in informed discussions.  All sessions are held in English with simultaneous interpretation available in Dari.  

The 10th edition of the Vienna Migration Conference (VMC2025) will take place on 21-22 October. Vienna will once again host over 250 decision-makers, migration practitioners, and thought leaders, who will participate in livestreamed sessions that will be broadcast to a worldwide audience. The future of European migration governance and the progress and challenges in the implementation of the EU Pact will be the focus of key sessions. Five themes will be the focus of this year's sessions: Migration governance and multilateral cooperationDiscussing the strategic direction of migration governance, implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and international partnerships. Global talent mobility and the economics of migrationExploring labour pathways, private sector engagement, and skills for growth in a changing demographic and economic landscape. The future of international protectionAddressing strain, scepticism and record levels of displacement while reflecting on sustainable approaches for the future. Return and reintegration in diverse contextsConsidering context-responsive approaches that support credibility, sustainability, and long-term stability. Forecasting migration dynamicsLeveraging data and foresight tools to anticipate mobility trends and shape smarter migration policies and programmes. VMC2025 will once again bring together ministers, policymakers, practitioners, and thought leaders, as well as representatives from international organisations, civil society, academia, the media, and the private sector. This edition will also mark a leadership transition for ICMPD, with Director General Michael Spindelegger presiding over his final VMC and introducing Director General-elect Susanne Raab, who will take office in January 2026. Register now to receive livestream updates as well as programme and speaker information.🔗 Register at: https://lnkd.in/dmTajTs8 🔍 Visit the VMC website for more information at: https://lnkd.in/dJpB_j9R📲 Follow ICMPD Policy & Research for updates on the programme

AidEx, the world’s leading humanitarian aid and disaster relief event returns to Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland on 22-23 October 2025. This year’s AidEx Geneva Conference focuses on "Future-proofing Humanitarian Aid" exploring solution oriented and innovative approaches as well as systemic changes needed for a sustainable and effective crisis response.  Together with Development2030, a global event uniting international development actors in pursuit of sustainable development goals, the event welcomes over 3000 delegates from local and international NGOs, UN agencies, government, donors, foundations, the private sector and more.      

As the global funding landscape shrinks, the humanitarian sector must evolve or risk falling behind. Diaspora-led initiatives — often mobilizing resources that rival or surpass formal aid flows — are pioneering innovative financing models that scale what local communities are already doing. By combining trusted community ties with cutting-edge technologies, these efforts are reshaping how humanitarian response is financed and delivered. This session will explore how diaspora and tech actors worldwide can be leveraged to strengthen community-driven responses and drive systemic change. Main objectives: Highlight blockchain-based payments and other tech for diaspora-led humanitarian action.  Show how blockchain, digital payments, and crowdfunding improve transparency, accountability, and reach. Explore opportunities for collaboration between diaspora actors, humanitarian agencies, and private sector innovators to scale impactful solutions.  Speaker Details Burcu Mavis, Blockchain Academy and Accelerator Lead, UNDP AltFinLab (Moderator & Facilitator) Nasrat Khalid, Founder & CEO, Aseel Technology Corporation Nigel Pont, Senior Humanitarian Advisor, HesabPay Jean-Marc Seigneur, Director, Advanced Studies on Blockchain, DLT and dApps Development, University of Geneva Carmen Hett, Corporate Treasurer, UNHCR This session is organized by UNDP AltFinLab and DEMAC – Diaspora Emergency Action & Coordination, part of the Danish Refugee Council.

The humanitarian sector is facing major disruptions, with growing crises and limited funding demanding new, community-driven solutions. As the global funding landscape shrinks, the humanitarian sector must evolve or risk falling behind. Diaspora-led initiatives are pioneering innovative financing models that support and scale what local communities are already doing. This session will explore the role of the diaspora in supporting emergencies and recovery efforts in collaboration with the private sector. Drawing on DEMAC’s latest research on Afghan diaspora efforts during the Herat earthquake and the current forced returns from Iran, panelists will highlight how Afghan diaspora has remained one of the country’s most reliable lifelines despite the sharp decline in international aid. Main objectives: Explore the role of the diaspora in supporting emergency and recovery efforts through innovative finance models in collaboration with the private sector. Highlight the critical contribution of Afghan diaspora communities as a lifeline during shrinking international aid. Examine challenges and opportunities for scaling diaspora-led financial solutions for long-term, sustainable impact. Discuss how diaspora actors can move beyond traditional aid models to strengthen local community resilience. Identify mechanisms to enhance diaspora engagement, partnerships, and visibility in humanitarian coordination. Speaker Details: Sasha Gayama, Global Lead on Innovative Financing, Danish Refugee Council  (Moderator & Facilitator) Jawid Hassanzai, Country Manager Afghanistan, Samuel Hall – Lead researcher for the DEMAC study “The Role of Diaspora Mobilizing Support to Emergency and Recovery Efforts” Ilaha Eli Omar, Executive Director, Uplift Afghanistan Layma Murtaza, Vice President Business Development and Board Member, Aseel