The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines, in collaboration with UNICEF and with funding from the Government of Japan, has launched DigiVacc—a digital platform that replaces traditional paper-based immunization records for children. This initiative aims to streamline the immunization process, ensuring that every Filipino child receives complete and timely vaccinations. DigiVacc supports the country’s… [Read More]
Archives for 2025
Canada and Ontario Invest $1.7 Million to Boost Honey Beekeeping Sector
The governments of Canada and Ontario have jointly invested over $1.7 million through the Honey Bee Health Initiative to support the province’s beekeeping sector. This funding aims to help 206 beekeepers implement 334 projects designed to strengthen honey bee colonies against disease, pests, and weather impacts. The initiative also addresses economic competitiveness, particularly in the… [Read More]
Educators Insights 2025: Transforming Nigeria’s Education Landscape in Port Harcourt
The Educators Insights Summit, held on July 30th at the Atrium Event Centre in Port Harcourt, brought together over 1,000 school owners, principals, and policymakers, marking a major moment for education in South-South Nigeria. Hosted by Cloudnotte, the event focused on urgent priorities such as school growth, access to funding, and the adoption of emerging… [Read More]
Blockchain and Crypto Revolutionize Nigerian Education: 100pay Inc. Leads the Way
Blockchain and cryptocurrency are driving a digital revolution in Nigeria’s education sector, offering school owners innovative ways to fund, manage, and scale their institutions. At the recent Educators Insight event in Port Harcourt, Mr. Brainy Joshua, CEO of 100pay Inc., shared insights on how these technologies are transforming school operations and financial systems. Blockchain, a… [Read More]
UNDP Awards Small Grants to 470 Nigerian MSMEs for Economic Empowerment
About 470 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Nigeria will benefit from the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program (GEF-SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the International Trade Facilitators Association (ITFA). This support comes under the Support to Potential and Existing Nature-Positive MSMEs (SPENM) programme, which targets environmentally and socially… [Read More]
UK Allocates £150 Million in Farming Grants to Boost Agricultural Innovation
The UK Government has successfully completed a major investment in the future of farming by allocating £150 million through its Capital Grants programme. This funding round, designed to support sustainable food production and environmental improvements, has seen record participation, with over 8,000 applications submitted in under five weeks—making it the fastest uptake of such an… [Read More]
Global Initiative Launched to Strengthen Water and Sanitation Regulatory Systems
More than 40 organizations have come together to launch the Global Call to Action on Strengthening Water and Sanitation Regulatory Systems, aiming to improve public health, promote equity, and enhance climate resilience by reinforcing regulatory frameworks worldwide. This initiative responds to urgent gaps highlighted in the latest UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and… [Read More]
EU-WOP 2 Opens Grant Call to Boost Water Utilities and Partnerships Worldwide
The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) has opened the Call for Proposals for the second phase of the EU Water Operators’ Partnerships (EU-WOP) Programme. This initiative, funded by the European Union and managed by GWOPA under UN-Habitat, is designed to enhance the capacity of public water and sanitation utilities through peer-to-peer learning and collaboration…. [Read More]
UN Trust Fund Boosts Global Efforts to End Violence Against Women
The United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women has launched its annual Call for Proposals, inviting applications for multi-year grants of up to USD 1 million. Applications can be submitted in English, French, or Spanish and must demonstrate the potential to create tangible, national-level impact in the fight against gender-based violence. The Fund… [Read More]
Samoan Women Lead Fight Against Gender-Based Violence and Demand Accountability
In Vailele, a village near Apia, Samoa, a group of women gather in the traditional meeting house (fale) to discuss their community’s priorities—this time, without the presence of men. It marks a shift in village governance, where women are now active participants in addressing issues like gender-based violence. Local resident Taufanua Lemanu explains that through… [Read More]
€2.7 Million in Funding Available Under EIST Programme for Employment, Skills, and Inclusion Projects
The Irish Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, has announced a new funding initiative of up to €2.7 million aimed at enhancing the integration and employment opportunities of migrants in Ireland. This initiative is part of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021–2027, which is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus… [Read More]
Japan and WFP Deliver Emergency Food Aid to Flood and Drought-Affected Families in Burundi
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a US$1 million contribution from the Government of Japan to deliver emergency food assistance to 18,000 people in Burundi affected by extreme weather events. A ceremony in Bujumbura marked the announcement, attended by senior government and diplomatic officials, including Burundi’s Permanent Secretary for Social Affairs and… [Read More]
ADB Approves $150 Million to Strengthen Technical and Vocational Education in Bangladesh
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh have signed a $150 million loan agreement aimed at improving the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system. The initiative is designed to boost access to quality employment opportunities and enhance Bangladesh’s global competitiveness through workforce development. The signing ceremony took place in… [Read More]
ILO Welcomes G20 Commitments to Youth Employment and Gender Equality Goals
At the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) held in George, South Africa, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo urged global leaders to renew their ambition in tackling inequality and to prioritize the inclusion of young people and women in labour markets. Speaking under the overarching theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, Houngbo welcomed the… [Read More]
World Bank Group Strengthens Job Creation and Economic Resilience in the Pacific Region
Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, recently completed a week-long visit to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, where she emphasized the need for innovative approaches to job creation and economic resilience in the Pacific. Her visit focused on accelerating development outcomes and ensuring that World Bank-supported initiatives deliver tangible benefits to… [Read More]
Madagascar Partners with World Bank and CRS to Boost National Resilience to Climate Risks
In Madagascar’s southern Androy and Anosy regions, communities face extreme socio-economic and environmental hardship. Limited employment opportunities, coupled with chronic drought and windstorms like the locally known Tiomena, have left residents vulnerable. Agriculture, livestock, and livelihoods have suffered severe losses, placing ongoing pressure on food security and community resilience. To address these issues, the Government… [Read More]
World Bank Backs El Salvador with New Funding for Economic Stability and Climate Resilience
The World Bank has approved a new loan to support El Salvador in strengthening its fiscal sustainability and improving its ability to respond to natural disasters and climate change. The financing package, totaling US$350 million, includes a US$100 million Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO), which can be accessed following an official emergency declaration caused… [Read More]
Oyo State Hosts New Agro-Processing Hub to Drive Nigeria’s Industrial Agriculture
Nigeria has officially launched a new Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Oyo State, representing a significant stride in the country’s agricultural transformation and rural industrialization efforts. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Ijaiye, near Ibadan, and was attended by prominent national and international dignitaries, including Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank… [Read More]
African Nations Shift Toward Healthcare Funding Autonomy Amid Aid Reductions
African countries are preparing to transition toward greater financial independence in healthcare development as international aid declines. This shift was highlighted by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. Ghebreyesus emphasized that the WHO is committed to supporting this transition, especially in… [Read More]
Africa CDC and EU Launch Initiative to Boost Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the European Commission have launched the Partnership to Accelerate Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa (PAMTA), a new initiative aimed at strengthening diagnostics, outbreak response, and local manufacturing for Mpox and other priority diseases. Co-funded by the EU4Health 2024 Work Programme, the €9.4 million… [Read More]
Unmind Raises $35M to Scale AI-Powered Workplace Mental Health Platform
Unmind, a leading enterprise mental health platform, has announced a new investment from TELUS Global Ventures as part of a $35 million funding round. This investment aims to enhance employees’ ability to access and utilize employer-provided mental health services. The funding will support Unmind’s expansion in the United States and globally, providing a unified platform… [Read More]
Indonesia Unveils Global Accelerator Roadmap to Boost Self-Sufficiency and Human Capital
Indonesia, as one of the pathfinder countries of the Global Accelerator, formally endorsed its national roadmap for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions on 10 June 2025. This endorsement reflects Indonesia’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in addressing poverty, reducing social disparities, and enhancing labour productivity… [Read More]
UN Fund Transforms $1 into $19: A Game-Changer for Global Development
The UN Joint SDG Fund is emerging as a powerful yet underrecognized force in global development, transforming each $1 into $19 of impact. Supported by governments around the world, the Fund has already improved the lives of over 200 million people. At a recent gathering at the UN headquarters, development leaders emphasized the Fund’s pivotal… [Read More]
