The UK government has secured a £7.5 billion investment from Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation to support key infrastructure and clean energy projects across the country. The deal was formalized in Tokyo by Minister for Investment, Baroness Poppy Gustafsson, and senior executives from Sumitomo, including CEO of the Energy Transformation Group, Mr. Hajime Mori, and Europe CEO,… [Read More]
Archives for 2025
New Measures Introduced to Combat Illegal and Unsafe Children’s Care Homes
The UK government has announced a £53 million investment under its Plan for Change to create 200 new placements in high-quality, council-run children’s homes. This initiative aims to better protect vulnerable children from being placed in unsafe and illegal accommodations by expanding regulated, specialized care options across the country. For the first time, government funding… [Read More]
UK–Japan Investment Deal Signed to Strengthen Trade and Economic Ties
The United Kingdom and Japan have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to enhance bilateral investment, aiming to significantly increase UK investment into Japan. The agreement was formalized at the British Embassy in Tokyo by UK Minister for Investment, Baroness Poppy Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE, and Mr. Seto Takakazu, State Minister of the Cabinet Office… [Read More]
UK Government Invests £500M to Support Underrepresented Entrepreneurs and Drive Growth
The UK Government has announced a £500 million investment to support underrepresented investors and fund managers, with the aim of fostering a more inclusive and dynamic venture capital ecosystem. The funding will help high-potential new entrants from diverse backgrounds build the necessary track record to succeed in the industry. The initiative is a key component… [Read More]
Parks Canada and B.C. Invest $8M+ to Enhance Ecological Connectivity and Wildlife Corridors
The Government of Canada has announced a federal investment of $5.3 million to support ecological corridor projects, nature conservation, and Indigenous stewardship in British Columbia. This funding, announced by the Honourable Stephen Fuhr on behalf of Minister Steven Guilbeault, is part of a broader collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, which has committed an… [Read More]
Canada Funds Over 9,700 Research Projects to Drive Innovation Nationwide
The Government of Canada has announced a significant investment of over $1.3 billion to support more than 9,700 researchers and research projects across the country. The announcement was made by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health…. [Read More]
Canada Funds New Technical Cooperation Project in the Republic of Moldova
Canada and the Republic of Moldova continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship through shared commitments to climate action and gender equality. Both nations are collaborating to build a greener, more inclusive economy that benefits all citizens, especially marginalized groups. In line with these efforts, Canada has announced its support for a new technical assistance project… [Read More]
OECD Job Markets Stay Strong Despite Ageing Population and Looming Labour Shortages
The OECD reports that job markets across member countries remain robust, with labour force participation reaching record highs and unemployment rates staying historically low. In May 2025, employment across the OECD reached 668 million, marking a 26% increase since 2001. However, the report also highlights emerging signs of economic slowdown due to geopolitical tensions and… [Read More]
The Role of Indigenous Language Translation in Shaping a Reliable Future
UNESCO, in collaboration with Translation Commons, is hosting an online event to celebrate International Translation Day. The theme for this year, “Trust in Indigenous Translation,” explores multiple dimensions of trust, including confidence in the accuracy and cultural sensitivity of translations, ethical handling of Indigenous knowledge, and the reliability of technologies used, especially artificial intelligence. The… [Read More]
Exploring Sustainability in Early Childhood Education and Care – Webinar
UNESCO, through its ESD-Net 2030 initiative, is organizing a webinar series to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration around Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). As part of this effort, a dedicated webinar will address the growing need to integrate sustainable development principles into Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). The session aims to present the latest… [Read More]
World Bank Backs Ceará’s Green Hydrogen Strategy for Economic Growth
The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a new operation to support the green hydrogen strategy of the Companhia de Desenvolvimento do Complexo Industrial e Portuário do Pecém (CIPP) and the Government of Ceará, Brazil. This initiative focuses on enabling clean hydrogen production within the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex, positioning Ceará as a… [Read More]
Linking Agriculture to Health: Investing for a Better Future
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers are increasing not only in high-income nations but also in parts of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Although medical science continues to develop new treatments, these advancements alone are insufficient to reverse global health trends. As life expectancy rises, so do health… [Read More]
Financing Public Interest Media: Unlocking Private Capital Solutions
Across the globe, public interest media are under growing strain due to failing business models, declining advertising revenues, and intensifying political pressures. In response to the need for sustainable solutions, a new report titled Catalysing Private Capital: Financing the Future of Public Interest Media explores how private capital can play a complementary role alongside traditional… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank and IDRC Launch Childcare Investment Initiative in Vanuatu
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) have partnered to support research on improving access to quality and affordable childcare in Vanuatu. The initiative addresses the lack of state-supported childcare centres that meet established standards of care and education, which poses significant challenges for working parents, particularly women, in re-entering… [Read More]
Global Climate Information Initiative Launches Call to Action for Integrity
The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change has launched an international Call to Action — also known as the Mutirão — to identify and amplify tangible initiatives that uphold the integrity of climate-related information and counter disinformation. Supported by the COP30 Presidency, this initiative seeks proposals from governments, civil society, academia, public and… [Read More]
BRICS Leaders Launch Historic Fund to Protect Tropical Forests
At the 17th BRICS Summit held from 6 to 7 July in Rio de Janeiro, BRICS leaders endorsed the Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF), a Brazilian initiative aimed at providing large-scale, predictable, and performance-based payments to countries with tropical forests. The fund is designed to preserve and expand forest cover while serving as a blended… [Read More]
CFC Launches ACT Fund at FfD4 Side Event to Boost Sustainable Agriculture Investment
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) and the Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund co-hosted a high-level side event at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla, Spain. The event, titled “Agricultural Commodity Transformation (ACT) Fund: Public-Private Investment for Sustainable Transformation and Development of the Agricultural Commodity Sector,” convened stakeholders from development… [Read More]
Australia Invests $114.6 Million in Future Fellowships to Boost Research Excellence
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced $114.6 million in funding under the 2025 Future Fellowships scheme, supporting 100 of the nation’s most outstanding researchers. This initiative underscores the Australian Government’s strong commitment to research excellence, backing high-impact projects aligned with national and global priorities. These include critical areas such as national resilience and the… [Read More]
ARC Awards $24.7 Million to Support 50 Early Career Industry Fellowship Projects
The Australian Research Council (ARC) has announced $24.7 million in funding for 50 new projects under the ARC Early Career Industry Fellowships scheme. This initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between early career researchers and industry partners, building Australia’s research capability in solving real-world, industry-identified challenges. These fellowships are designed to bridge the gap between academic… [Read More]
HX Foundation Awards €222K in Global Grants for Ocean Conservation and Polar Communities
The HX Foundation, the charitable branch of HX Expeditions, has awarded over €222,754 in its first round of 2025 grant funding to support global community, conservation, and wildlife-focused initiatives, with a particular emphasis on ocean and polar regions. From the total amount, €63,154 has been distributed among seven single-year projects selected from more than 20… [Read More]
Canada and Ontario Invest in Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Agri-Food Industry
On July 8, 2025, the governments of Canada and Ontario announced a joint investment of up to $3 million to support farmers in implementing energy efficiency projects aimed at improving competitiveness, particularly in response to U.S. tariffs. This funding marks the launch of the third intake of the Agricultural Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a program designed… [Read More]
£100,000 Investment Expands Mental Health Support in Hampshire Primary Schools
Hampshire County Council has announced over £100,000 in new funding to enhance mental health and wellbeing support for primary school children. This investment will expand the successful “My Happy Mind” programme into schools across North-East Hampshire, making it accessible to all primary schools in the county. The programme helps children better understand their emotions, build… [Read More]
World Bank Group and Global Environment Facility: Driving Climate Action and Sustainable Development
Since its establishment more than 34 years ago, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has played a critical role in addressing global environmental challenges. Co-founded by the World Bank Group, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the GEF has supported developing countries in adopting integrated approaches to sustainable development…. [Read More]
