The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has released the 2025 study “Impact of the War on Young People in Ukraine,” which examines how the fourth year of the full-scale war has affected youth attitudes, needs, and priorities. The research focused on young people’s perceptions… [Read More]
Promoting Women’s Leadership in East Asia’s Humanitarian Sector
National Red Cross Societies in East Asia are actively advancing gender equality and promoting women’s leadership through concrete actions that extend from internal governance to community engagement. These efforts include enhancing female representation at all levels and implementing family-friendly workplace policies. Significant progress has been made in increasing women’s leadership within the societies. East Asia… [Read More]
Energy Resilience Project Hits the Shoreline
The Vanuatu Energy Resilience Project (VERP) has progressed from planning to field implementation, with technical experts from the Department of Energy (DoE) and UNDP conducting on-site assessments in mid-February to safeguard critical solar infrastructure using Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Launched in July 2025 and funded by CDRI, the project aims to enhance the durability of renewable… [Read More]
Thailand Forum: Youth Activists Drive Environmental Solutions
The Asia-Pacific region is harnessing the energy and passion of its youth to tackle environmental challenges, with nearly 60 percent of the world’s young population driving innovative solutions. This momentum was showcased at the annual Asia-Pacific Forum for Sustainable Development, held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, where officials, experts, and activists gathered… [Read More]
Largest Corporate Watchdog Faces Funding Loss in Sweden
Sweden has withdrawn core funding from Swedwatch, an independent watchdog that has monitored business, human rights, and environmental justice for the past 20 years. The decision by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has been described as a major setback for civil society, potentially leaving vulnerable populations, particularly in the Global South, exposed to… [Read More]
NZ Boosts Tonga’s Fight Against Drug Trafficking
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced further support to combat drug trafficking in Tonga during his Pacific visit, highlighting the region as a “super highway” for cartels. Speaking at Tonga’s police headquarters, Luxon outlined enhancements to the Pacific Detector Dog Programme, jointly managed by New Zealand Police and Customs, which in 2025 led to… [Read More]
How Women, Youth, and Civil Society Drive SDG Progress
With less than five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, civil society leaders convened on 11 March 2026 for the CSW70 side event “Leading Change: Women, Youth, and Civic Action for SDG Acceleration.” The discussion focused on how local action driven by women and youth can accelerate progress on the Sustainable… [Read More]
Technology Driving Impact for Asia-Pacific Nonprofits
Across the Asia-Pacific region, nonprofits are facing growing community needs while navigating rapid digital change. To support this transition, Infoxchange launched the Asia-Pacific Digital Transformation Program with backing from Google.org, helping organizations strengthen digital capabilities, leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like Gemini, and increase social impact. The program’s first phase focused on building core digital… [Read More]
Barbados Launches BB$5,000 Child Wealth Fund for Newborns
The Government of Barbados has announced the launch of the Barbados Republic Child Wealth Fund, a landmark initiative that will provide every eligible child with a BBD$5,000 investment at birth. Unveiled in the 2026–27 budget, the fund applies to children born on or after November 30, 2021, and will be held in trust and invested… [Read More]
CSW70 Conclusions Adopted: ACT Alliance Calls for Justice Access
ACT Alliance welcomed the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) on 9 March 2026, marking a historic moment as the outcome document was adopted by recorded vote rather than consensus. The document focused on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women… [Read More]
IICA Helps Grenada Boost Agricultural Development
Lennox Andrews, Grenada’s Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, highlighted the vital role of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in strengthening the country’s agriculture during the opening of the new IICA Delegation office in Grenada. The Ministry recognizes IICA as an integral partner, noting that having a physical presence on the ground… [Read More]
Colombia Flood Crisis: Heavy Rains Force Mass Evacuations
Since January, Colombia has been experiencing widespread flooding due to heavy rainfall, with the Córdoba department among the hardest hit. Emergency assistance is being provided by the German and Colombian Red Crosses, supported by the European Union, reaching 167,700 people. Residents like Luz María Muñoz have seen their homes and possessions destroyed in less than… [Read More]
Environmental Initiatives Drive European Security and Prosperity
Pierfrancesco Maran, Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Environment, highlighted the critical role of environmental diplomacy at a time when global pressures are intensifying. Shifts in geopolitical alignments, rapid technological advances, trade tensions, and competition for essential resources are creating complex environmental and social challenges. Conflicts, such as those in the Middle East, exacerbate… [Read More]
Lessons from Europe’s Biopharma Leadership Loss
Europe’s biopharmaceutical leadership declined over the past several decades due to policy decisions that limited incentives for innovation. Measures such as strict price controls, cost-focused reimbursement rules, and regulations restricting biotechnology research reduced investment in research and development, delayed drug launches, and contributed to job losses in high-value life sciences sectors. As a result, Europe… [Read More]
IFRC Alerts: Sudan Conflict Fuels Cross-Border Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing conflict in Sudan is creating a severe regional humanitarian crisis, affecting neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) warns that nearly 4.5 million people have fled Sudan, placing immense pressure on fragile local systems. Refugee camps are overcrowded, resources… [Read More]
HardTech Innovation Accelerated by mHUB and Rockefeller Foundation for U.S. Growth
The Rockefeller Foundation has awarded a two-year, $1 million grant to mHUB, the United States’ largest independent hardtech innovation center, to expand support for hardtech founders and launch a new accelerator focused on data center sustainability solutions. The funding aims to lower barriers for undercapitalized entrepreneurs working in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and industrial sustainability,… [Read More]
Labour’s £1 Billion Plan: What SMEs Stand to Gain
The UK government has launched a £1 billion Youth Jobs Grant scheme aimed at tackling youth unemployment while providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with incentives to hire apprentices. The programme targets young people aged 16–24, widening the previous age limit of 21, and focuses on those who have been on Universal Credit and seeking… [Read More]
New Strategy Strengthens Domestic Abuse Services Across Devon
Devon County Council has approved a new four-year strategy aimed at improving support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse living in safe accommodation. The Domestic Abuse Support in Safe Accommodation Strategic Plan 2026–2030 outlines how the council will fulfil its statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 while responding to growing demand and… [Read More]
US Links HIV Aid to Zambia’s Mineral Access Controversy
The United States State Department is reportedly threatening to cut HIV/AIDS and other disease prevention funding for over a million people in Zambia to pressure the country into granting greater access to its mineral resources. A draft memo prepared for Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicates that the US intends to demonstrate its priorities by… [Read More]
Global Efforts by Islamic Relief on Orphan Day to Aid Vulnerable Children
Islamic Relief marked Orphan Day in the Islamic World, observed on the 15th day of Ramadan, with a series of global activities to celebrate and support orphaned children and their families. The events aimed to bring communities together, highlight the importance of education and care for vulnerable children, and reaffirm the shared responsibility of ensuring… [Read More]
Lebanon Crisis Deepens as Regional Violence Surges
Since late February, Israel has intensified bombardments across Lebanon following retaliatory attacks triggered by a U.S. assault on Iran, causing a significant escalation in violence throughout the Middle East. In response, Israel has ordered evacuations in southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Health facilities are under severe… [Read More]
PNG Advances New Waste-to-Energy Policy
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has taken its first formal step toward developing a national Waste-to-Energy (WtE) policy, with an inception workshop held in Port Moresby that brought together government agencies, development partners, and regional organisations. The workshop marks the start of a structured process to translate existing research and feasibility studies into a practical policy… [Read More]
EIB Backs €507 Million Solar and Storage Programme in Italy
The European Investment Bank (EIB), Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB), and Sunprime Holdings have signed a project-finance agreement worth up to €507 million in Milan to support Project Sophocles, a major renewable energy programme in Italy. The initiative will fund the construction and operation of around 200 rooftop and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic plants… [Read More]
