The United Nations experts welcomed the recent lifting of sanctions on Syria by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. These sanctions had been in place for over 14 years and had significant and widespread human rights impacts across the country. The sanctions were initially imposed in 2011 after the Syrian Government, under… [Read More]
Zimbabwe to Host UN Working Group on Women’s and Girls’ Rights
The UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls will carry out an official country visit to Zimbabwe from 28 July to 8 August 2025. The purpose of the visit is to assess the nation’s progress and challenges in achieving gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women and girls. During the mission, the experts… [Read More]
First International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent Calls for Bold Action and Recognition of Leadership
The International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent was observed for the first time on 25 July. This day highlights the urgent need to shift from symbolic gestures to meaningful actions, such as increased investment in education, breaking down harmful stereotypes, and ensuring women and girls of African descent are represented in leadership… [Read More]
Erasmus+ EU Funding for Education, Youth, Training & Sport Opportunities
The 2025 Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education programme has proposed 173 new projects for funding, aiming to enhance international cooperation in higher education. These projects are part of a broader effort to strengthen the global role of higher education institutions in tackling shared challenges and adapting to rapid changes in the education landscape. The… [Read More]
Google Invests $37 Million to Boost AI Innovation and Talent Across Africa
Across Africa, AI is increasingly being harnessed to address local challenges in sectors such as climate resilience, agriculture, healthcare, education, and language accessibility. With its youthful population and strong culture of innovation, Africa is contributing unique perspectives to global AI development. As this transformative technology evolves, empowering African researchers, developers, and organizations becomes essential. To… [Read More]
AFC Invests €85 Million in Angola’s National Road Plan
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has disbursed €75 million of an €85 million sovereign facility to the Government of Angola, facilitated through the Ministry of Finance. This funding is part of a larger €381.5 million financing package aimed at strengthening Angola’s transport infrastructure. The initiative supports the construction of 186 priority bridges and upgrades to… [Read More]
Record Arts Funding Announced: Historic Boost for Creative Sector
Budget 2025 in Alberta allocates $4.5 million to support artists through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA), maintaining the province’s highest-ever arts funding level. This investment brings total funding for the arts sector to $36.1 million, reinforcing Alberta’s commitment to fostering creativity, cultural preservation, and economic development. The arts are recognized as a vital… [Read More]
FARE Fund Awards $3 Million to Improve Healthy Food Access and Expand Retail Options
The Reinvestment Fund has announced $3 million in financial assistance through the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Food Access and Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund. These funds will support 14 food retail and supply chain projects across 14 U.S. states, targeting rural, urban, and tribal communities. The initiative focuses on improving access to healthy food, strengthening… [Read More]
AIIB and BTG Pactual Partner on $160M Climate Infrastructure Deal in Brazil
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and BTG Pactual have signed a seven-year, USD160-million on-lending facility to support the financing of climate-aligned infrastructure projects in Brazil. This agreement represents AIIB’s largest private-sector transaction in Brazil and its first collaboration with BTG Pactual, which is the largest investment bank in Latin America. The initiative aims to… [Read More]
Aid Funding Crisis Exposes Fragile Localisation Promises by INGOs
In early 2025, the global aid landscape was disrupted when the United States government issued an Executive Order drastically cutting or suspending much of USAID’s work. This move slashed approximately $60 billion from U.S. foreign assistance, significantly affecting global humanitarian and development operations. As the U.S. previously accounted for nearly 30% of aid from DAC… [Read More]
Saving Lives and Livelihoods: Financial Inclusion Efforts in Eastern and Southern Africa
The World Bank has approved a $400 million financing package for the second phase of the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) Program. This phase will benefit over 12 million people in Angola, Burundi, Malawi, Seychelles, and Zambia by enhancing financial readiness against climate-related and other disasters. The initiative aims to leverage… [Read More]
Blended Finance Success Stories: Real-World Results and Lessons
Blended finance has emerged as a central strategy for financing sustainable development, especially in the aftermath of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). The concept involves using public or philanthropic funds to reduce investment risks, thereby attracting private capital to areas that support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With developing countries facing… [Read More]
Ireland’s National Development Plan Boosts Funding for Disability Services and Early Childhood Education
The updated National Development Plan (NDP) has significantly increased the allocation for Ireland’s Department of Children, Disability and Equality, raising the budget to nearly €800 million for the period 2026 to 2030. This marks a substantial rise from the €255 million allocated in the previous plan covering 2021 to 2025. This enhanced funding will support… [Read More]
African Development Bank and OPEC Fund Partner to Strengthen Environmental and Social Safeguards Across Africa
The African Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development have launched a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing environmental and social safeguards across Africa. The initiative was inaugurated through a continent-wide capacity-building workshop held from 3–5 June 2025 at the OPEC Fund Headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The event convened over 50 development professionals from… [Read More]
The Gambia Secures $19.93 Million ADF Grant to Address Fragility and Boost Rural Opportunities
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $19.93 million grant for The Gambia under the Resilience Building – Vulnerable Youth and Women Support Project. The funding aims to improve access to essential social services in underserved areas and promote sustainable livelihoods, addressing the structural drivers of poverty, fragility, and irregular migration. This initiative falls… [Read More]
TUI Futureshapers Expands to Portugal and North Africa, Turning Social Issues into Business Opportunities
The TUI Care Foundation has launched two new initiatives under its global TUI Futureshapers programme, aimed at transforming social challenges into entrepreneurial opportunities in tourism. The latest projects target Portugal and North Africa, offering tailored support to aspiring social entrepreneurs seeking to develop sustainable tourism businesses. In Portugal, the new phase of TUI Futureshapers builds… [Read More]
$1.05B Raised by Zero Gap Fund to Accelerate UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Rockefeller Foundation has published its Zero Gap Fund: 2024 State of the Portfolio report, showcasing the role of catalytic capital in tackling global challenges. As of December 2024, the Zero Gap Fund (ZGF) had mobilized over $1.05 billion in private capital through 12 high-impact investments. By January 2025, the fund had fully committed its… [Read More]
France unveils $4.3m fund to tackle online GBV in Africa
France has announced a $4.3 million grant to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women across Africa and the Middle East. The funding, provided through the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is aimed at supporting feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) in combating digital forms of violence, including cyberstalking and image-based abuse. This initiative is part… [Read More]
Child Poverty Surge in Spain Leaves One-Third of Children Without Summer Breaks
Approximately 2.8 million children in Spain—around one in three—come from families that cannot afford a summer vacation. This situation reflects Spain’s position as the EU country with the highest child poverty rate. According to Save the Children, one in three Spanish households with children faces financial barriers that prevent them from accessing summer holiday experiences,… [Read More]
WHO Certifies Timor-Leste as Malaria-Free Nation
The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially certified Timor-Leste as malaria-free, marking a significant public health milestone for the nation. This recognition places Timor-Leste among 47 countries and one territory globally that have achieved malaria-free status. It is also the third country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to receive this certification, following the Maldives… [Read More]
IDB Supports Major Water and Sanitation Improvements in Guyana
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$30 million Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects (CCLIP) to support Guyana in improving its water and sanitation infrastructure. The initiative aims to strengthen the resilience, quality, and sustainability of drinking water and sewerage services provided by the national utility, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). The program is… [Read More]
£150 Million Nuffield Foundation Funding to Tackle Major UK Social Issues
The Nuffield Foundation has launched a new Strategic Review supported by a £150 million funding commitment aimed at addressing the UK’s most pressing social and economic challenges. Over the next five years, it will invest £30 million annually to generate evidence and shape solutions to complex societal issues that are hindering the country’s long-term wellbeing… [Read More]
EU Commits €1.5 Million to Support IDPs and Nutrition Crisis Response in Nigeria’s North-East and North-West
In response to the recent conflict in Benue State, Nigeria, the European Union (EU) has committed €1.5 million to support affected populations. This funding includes €500,000 from the EU Humanitarian Office (ECHO) for rapid response and €1 million repurposed from the EU-funded SIDPIN project for long-term solutions. Key international agencies involved in implementing the response… [Read More]
