Ambrela
Development
Forum 2026

Join us in Bratislava at Ambrela Development Forum (ADF) 2026

The Ambrela Development Forum (ADF), organized annually by the Slovak Platform for Development Organizations – Ambrela, is a leading international conference that provides a unique space to address global challenges and reimagine international partnerships through high-level discussions and interactive workshops.

As the only event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, the ADF International Conference brings together more than 220 participants from around 23 countries each year. Registration is open now for our ADF 2026 conference: October 1–2, 2026, in Bratislava, Slovakia. Day one (October 1) will feature a packed program from 9:00 AM and conclude with a special 'night owl' session starting at 9:00 PM. The second day (October 2) is tailored for invited participants only.

Building on Last Year’s Success

The atmosphere at our last forum was electric, with 220 practitioners from 23 countries. Your feedback was clear: the most valuable aspect of ADF is actionable connections and networking. For 2026, we are doubling down on practical, skill-building sessions and workshops to ensure every participant leaves with concrete results. Watch the #ADF2025 panels recordings on FACEBOOK or YOUTUBE.

Exciting Formats and Topics

Expect the return of our most popular formats:

• Rapid-fire Speed Dating sessions for new collaborations.
• Inspirational TED-style DevCo Talks.
• The informal Night Owl Session, fostering honest community debate.

Thematic Focus:

• NGOs and Fragility: How civil society actors engage across the spectrum of conflict, bridging humanitarian aid and development.
• Strengthening Partnerships between NGOs and Business: A focus on the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
• Dedicated Ukraine Track: Transitioning from relief to renewal.
• Civil Society Resilience: Sharing how NGO actors can bounce back and find new ways to secure support.

Our Growing Speaker Lineup

We are expecting to be joined by a distinguished group of experts and leaders:

• Jozef Síkela, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships 
• Dr. Hugo Slim, Professor, University of Oxford; Ambrela International Advisory Board Member
• Katarína Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine 
• Dr. Michael Köhler, Grand Bargain Ambassador; Professor, College of Europe Bruges; Ambrela International Advisory Board Member
• Nadine Saba, President, Akkar Network for Development, Lebanon; Ambrela International Advisory Board Member
• Tanya Cox, Director, Concord Europe 
• Šimon Pánek, CEO, People in Need, Czech Republic 
• Andrea Najvirtová, Executive Director, People in Peril Slovakia; Ambrela International Advisory Board Member
• Jeroen Uytterschaut, Former Executive Director, World Vision Brussels Office; Ambrela International Advisory Board Member
• Pauline Chetcuti, Head of Humanitarian Campaigns and Advocacy for Oxfam International; President of VOICE 
• Liana Ghukasyan, Director and Special Advisor, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
• Václav Bálek, Director, Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
• Prof. Simon Lightfoot, University of Leeds

Registration and Fees

The world our sector works in has gotten harder. You feel it, we feel it. That's why, for the first time, we're asking participants to contribute a small registration fee — not as a formality, but as a shared act of keeping this community going. Every euro stays within the ADF community we've built together.

• Early Bird (until July 15): 30 EUR
• Standard Fee (after July 15): 40 EUR
• Please note: The ticket fee is non-refundable. The fee does not apply to speakers, moderators, Ambrela members and observers, selected donors/partners (within agreed conditions), and accredited members of the press. 

Why Bratislava? A Unique Opportunity

Bratislava serves as a unique hub for dialogue in the heart of Central Europe, offering perspectives and contacts you won't find in Brussels. Enjoy the ambiance of the past editions here. We can’t wait to meet again for another unforgettable gathering!

The event is organised with the kind support of the SR and Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic via Program Slovensko – co-financed by the European Union; and Czechia via CzechAid.