The ADF International Conference is the only event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, attracting over 200 in-person participants from around 20 countries. The 2025 year’s fourth edition built on previous success, fostering actionable connections, trust and collaboration among key players like EU institutions, member state governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and international partners.

Crucial topics

This year’s conference offered an impactful platform for high-level policy dialogue and cross-sector collaboration. Participants had the opportunity to:

• Connect with 220 policymakers, practitioners, and funders.
• Engage in 15+ high-level sessions and innovative formats designed to boost your capacity to act.
• Build cross-sector partnerships that lead to concrete initiatives and actionable connections.

The program delved into three crucial topics shaping the future of development and humanitarian aid:

• New Realities in Development Cooperation: The EU and UN Role, Resource (R)evolution, and Principles
• Humanitarian Aid at a Crossroads: New Challenges, Old Systems
• Ukraine in Transition: Pathways from Relief to Renewal

Great Speakers

We’re proud to host a lineup of speakers renowned for their expertise and dedication, including Hugo Slim, professor at the University of Oxford; Martina Břeňová, Executive Director of Open Society Fund Prague; Erika Gerretsen, Director of DG INTPA for human development, migration, governance and peace; and many many others. As you can see here:

• The EU and UN Power Brokers: Erica Gerretsen (DG INTPA); Arnaud Dupont (DG ECHO); Elena Višnar Malinovská (DG ENEST); Steliana Nedera (UNDP); 
• Central & Eastern European (CEE) Leadership: Jan Mrkvička (People in Need); Grzegorz Gruca (Polish Humanitarian Action); Justyna Janiszewska (Solidarity Fund PL); Andrea Najvirtová (People in Peril); Veronika Macsai (Integra Foundation);
• Voices on Ukraine’s Renewal: Olha Nikolaievych (Mykolaiv Regional Development Agency); Liudmyla Kryzhanovska (Promprylad Foundation); Iva Kozlovska (Women in Tech Ukraine/Qubit Labs); Iryna Khomiak (German Marshall Fund);
• Global Humanitarian & Development Think Tanks: Dr. Hugo Slim (University of Oxford); Jeroen Uytterschaut (World Vision); Alexei Jones (ECDPM);
• High-Level Political & Diplomatic Perspectives: H.E. Maurice Makoloo (Kenya); Petr Gandalovič (Czech Republic); Ambassadors and Embassy staff from at least 11 diplomatic missions;
• Civil Society & Advocacy Leaders: Martina Břeňová (Open Society Fund Prague); Floris Faber (ACT Alliance); Veronika Fishbone Vlčková (Milan Šimečka Foundation); Daniel Kaba (Ambrela); 
• Innovators & New Voices:  Kieto Mahaniah (HELP Logistics); Zuzana Ulman (STEP IN); Lisa Ringhofer (TripleMinds); Michal Šoltés (Otvorená Hra & Open Academy); Albert Lores (Photojournalist).

Event Details

ADF 2025 took place on October 16–17, 2025 at the historic Moyzes Hall in Bratislava, Slovakia. Day one (October 16) featured a packed program from 9:00 AM and concluded with a special ‚night owl‘ session starting at 9:00 PM. The second day (October 17) was tailored for invited participants only.

This edition of the ADF conference was funded by the UNDP, CEI, Representation of the EC in Slovakia, Canadian and British Embassy in Bratislava, SR and EU under the Program Slovensko. Find the 2025 program here.

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