The Ambrela Development Forum (ADF), organized annually by the Slovak Platform for Development Organizations – Ambrela, provides a unique space to navigate global challenges and reimagine international partnerships through in-depth discussions and interactive workshops. As the only event of its kind in Central and Eastern Europe, the ADF International Conference brings together more than 200 participants from around 20 countries each year. The next edition, ADF 2026, will take place on 1–2 October 2026 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

To ensure that ADF remains at the forefront of global development discussions, the conference is supported by its International Advisory Board (IAB) – an honorary body of distinguished experts and thought leaders who provide strategic guidance, foresight, partnerships, and international visibility. The IAB contributes to shaping the conference agenda, speaker selection, donor engagement, and international outreach, helping position ADF among Europe’s leading development policy events. We are delighted to welcome Michala Traplová as a member of the #ADF2026 International Advisory Board.

Michala Traplová has been active in the development and humanitarian sector since 2008, working across project management, policy and advocacy roles, complemented by six years of experience in the private sector. Following her return to the global development sector during the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2022, she has served since 2024 as Lead Advocacy Advisor for the Czech Republic and the European Union at People in Need. Her work primarily focuses on the Czech development cooperation agenda and its connection to broader EU external action and Official Development Assistance (ODA) policies. She closely follows national and European debates on development financing, institutional reform, humanitarian policy, civic space, and the implications of political developments for international cooperation priorities. As part of this work, she represents the Czech national platform of development organizations FoRS within the Team Czechia Global Gateway framework.

At the EU level, Michala engages on topics such as Global Gateway, development financing, and the future direction of EU external engagement. Through her close collaboration with civil society platforms and policy networks at both Czech and European levels, she helps bridge Brussels-based policy discussions with the perspectives and practical experience of stakeholders from Central and Eastern Europe. We are honoured to welcome Michala to the International Advisory Board and look forward to benefiting from her expertise in shaping ADF 2026. Her extensive experience in ODA policy and advocacy on Czech and EU level will be invaluable in helping create a conference that fosters meaningful dialogue, innovative thinking, and impactful partnerships. We warmly welcome Michala Traplová to the ADF community and look forward to working together on an inspiring and successful ADF 2026.