Saudi Arabia has executed Jalal Labbad, who was convicted of crimes allegedly committed when he was a minor, raising grave concerns about the kingdom’s commitment to halting the death penalty for juveniles. The execution, which took place on August 21, 2025, has been condemned by human rights organizations as a violation of international law and… [Read More]
Archives for 2025
India’s Poverty Reduction: A Global Game Changer
India has achieved a remarkable reduction in extreme poverty, with the number of people living below the international poverty line plummeting significantly over the past decade. This substantial decline, highlighted by recent World Bank data, positions India as a positive outlier in global poverty reduction efforts, even as international benchmarks for poverty measurement have been… [Read More]
Turkey’s Human Rights Plan Falls Short on Children’s Rights, Report Finds
A recent report by the Human Rights Association (İHD) has sharply criticized Turkey’s Human Rights Action Plan (İHEP), stating it falls significantly short of protecting children’s rights and international standards. Launched in March 2021 by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the plan aimed to bolster the country’s human rights infrastructure but has been found to overlook… [Read More]
Women’s Economic Empowerment: A Game Changer in the Fight Against Poverty
When women gain economic independence, communities thrive. Globally, unlocking women’s full potential in the workforce could generate a staggering $7 trillion boost to the global economy. From the Ground Up: Alice’s Journey Alice, a mother of five, fled conflict in her home region and landed in a displacement settlement with nothing. She began by doing… [Read More]
US Embassy Clarifies: USAID Did Not Receive $21M for Voter Turnout in India
The US Embassy in India has clarified that USAID/India did not receive or provide any funding of $21 million for voter turnout initiatives in India from fiscal years 2014 to 2024, nor has it conducted any voter turnout-related activities in the country. This statement was shared with the Rajya Sabha in response to a query… [Read More]
Funding Boosts Civil Society Efforts to Engage Underrepresented Groups in Civic Participation
On August 20, 2025, in Tegucigalpa, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conducted the third edition of grant awards to nine Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Honduras. These organizations will implement initiatives to promote citizen and civic participation among historically underrepresented groups, including people with disabilities, women, indigenous and Afro-descendant… [Read More]
Kyndryl Announces $2.25 Billion Investment Plan to Expand Operations in India Over Three Years
Kyndryl, a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, has announced plans to invest $2.25 billion in India over the next three years. The investment aims to modernize essential technology infrastructure, expand artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, and foster the development of the next generation of technology talent in the country. This growth builds on Kyndryl’s… [Read More]
Why Ghana’s Fight Against Illegal Mining Is Failing
Early in his tenure, in 2017, then Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo declared a moratorium on all small-scale gold mining to combat severe environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.” He established an inter-ministerial committee on illegal mining and launched a joint military-police taskforce, Operation Vanguard, to enforce the ban. Initially intended to… [Read More]
Young Vietnamese Innovators Driving Solutions to National Water Challenges
UNESCO’s Youth Water Challenge 2025 spotlights innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to pressing water issues in Viet Nam, led by young innovators under the age of 30. Water remains fundamental to life and a key pillar of sustainable development, yet UNESCO’s 2025 World Water Development Report highlights that nearly 4 billion people worldwide face severe water scarcity… [Read More]
Governor Hochul Unveils $52.6 Million in New York Broadband Infrastructure Funding
Governor Kathy Hochul announced $52.6 million in broadband infrastructure awards through New York State’s ConnectALL initiative. The funding, distributed across the Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP), Affordable Housing Connectivity Program (AHCP), and Deployment Program County Partnerships, will directly connect 6,900 locations, including more than 24,000 households, businesses, and anchor institutions across 28 counties. Of these, 19,000… [Read More]
Governor Hochul Awards $11M+ for Clean Hydrogen Research and Development in New York
Governor Kathy Hochul announced over $11 million in funding for five clean hydrogen research and development projects in New York State. These projects aim to advance technology designs, reduce costs of hydrogen storage and distribution, explore large-scale storage opportunities, and deploy zero-emission hydrogen-powered transportation. The initiative addresses key barriers to adopting clean hydrogen as a… [Read More]
New York State Invests $40M+ in Youth Employment Program to Combat Gun Violence
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $40.6 million has been awarded to New York State’s Youth Employment Program, aimed at reducing community gun violence and youth involvement in the criminal justice system. The initiative provides year-round employment and training opportunities to at-risk youth in regions outside New York City most impacted by gun violence. Launched in… [Read More]
SNAP Funding Cuts Put Millions at Risk of Food Insecurity and Health Challenges
In July, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” was signed into law, cutting federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $187 billion through 2034. This reduction is expected to affect around 4 million people, either reducing or eliminating their food assistance. Public health experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health,… [Read More]
The Humans Behind Human Rights: Stories and Voices Driving Change
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has launched a new crowdfunding campaign, The Humans in Human Rights, to highlight the critical importance of supporting human rights work amid funding shortfalls. The campaign features a video series that showcases the personal stories of staff and beneficiaries, providing a human perspective on the challenges and impacts… [Read More]
From Pilot to Practice: Overcoming Barriers to Scaling Agricultural Innovations
The phrase “scaling for impact” has become central in agricultural development, yet many scientifically sound technologies that succeed in trials fail to achieve widespread adoption. While extension systems are often blamed, the issue is far more complex, involving how technologies are piloted, framed, and supported, and the broader ecosystem of stakeholders and incentives influencing adoption…. [Read More]
Indonesia’s Civil Society Struggles as Intermediaries Maintain Unequal Funding Partnerships
Indonesia’s civil society is facing growing challenges due to limited access to core and overhead funding, with multilayered intermediaries between funders and local organisations contributing to inequitable funding practices. A report by Planet Indonesia, a funder supporting Indigenous Peoples and local groups, highlights that 75 percent of civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country have… [Read More]
Driving Sustainable Development in Africa: Innovations from Four Leading Nations
Across Africa, countries are adopting innovative financial and social strategies to accelerate sustainable development and empower communities, with a focus on women and youth. By leveraging green finance, digital platforms, renewable energy, and results-based investment, these initiatives are redefining development approaches for the 21st century. In Cabo Verde, a small island developing state, the UN-supported… [Read More]
Zimbabwe’s Energy Transformation: Bold Finance Experiment Redefines Power Sector
Zimbabwe is pioneering a bold approach to solving its energy crisis by shifting from traditional aid to innovative finance. Facing dwindling international aid and rising development costs, the UN Country Team is partnering with the private sector to transform limited donor funding into long-term investments in clean energy. UN Resident Coordinator Edward Kallon calls this… [Read More]
Nigeria Launches Integrated Health Services to Improve Care for Vulnerable Communities
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (FMHSW) has launched a strategic initiative to integrate sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services with interventions for communicable diseases. This collaborative approach aims to strengthen the country’s health system, enhance access to essential care, and provide a more people-centered approach to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable… [Read More]
Unitaid Launches Flagship Investments to Boost Local Manufacturing of Diagnostics and Medicines in Africa
Unitaid has announced a foundational investment of nearly US$50 million in two flagship programs designed to strengthen Africa’s capacity to manufacture its own medical diagnostics and treatments. This initiative is part of Unitaid’s broader commitment to building regional manufacturing infrastructure and improving access to quality-assured health products for priority global health challenges, including HIV, malaria,… [Read More]
UK Industrial Strategy Invests Over £30 Million to Boost Northern Ireland’s Science and Tech Industries
Northern Ireland’s science and technology sectors are set to receive a major boost from the UK Government’s modern Industrial Strategy, with at least £30 million earmarked for innovative tech projects. The funding aims to strengthen local jobs, promote economic growth, and support key industries of the future, including cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and creative industries. Industry… [Read More]
UK Government Extends £45 Million Scheme to Support Thousands More Young People with Training and Work Opportunities
The UK Government has announced a £45 million extension to the Youth Guarantee trailblazer scheme, enabling thousands more young people to receive tailored support to access training and employment opportunities. The scheme aims to ensure that all 18- to 21-year-olds have the chance to earn or learn, providing innovative local approaches to identify those most… [Read More]
ADB Approves Financing for Reko Diq Copper Mining Project in Pakistan
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a financing package for the Reko Diq copper-gold mine in Pakistan, aiming to meet rising global demand for critical minerals while promoting economic development and poverty reduction in the country. ADB President Masato Kanda emphasized that the project will support the global critical minerals supply chain, advance the… [Read More]
