The National Directorate of Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM), in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), South West College (SWC), and the Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), has secured over €2 million (£1.8 million) in funding through the EU PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body… [Read More]
COP30 Brazil: IOM Champions People-Centered Climate Action and Resilience
As world leaders gather in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is urging global attention to the millions of people already facing the devastating consequences of climate change. From floods and droughts to other recurring disasters, IOM emphasizes that communities at the frontline deserve… [Read More]
Driving Inclusive Growth: Namibia Integrates Employment Impact Assessments into Job Creation Strategy
Namibia has taken a significant step toward achieving its ambitious target of creating 500,000 jobs within five years by committing to the systematic use of Employment Impact Assessments (EmpIAs). Announced at a high-level event in Windhoek on 31 October 2025, this initiative aligns with the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just… [Read More]
Adapting to Change: Europe and Central Asia Face Major Demographic Transformations
Europe and Central Asia are undergoing significant demographic transformations that are reshaping their societies and economies. A new policy brief jointly released by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) emphasizes the urgent need for countries in the region to create more… [Read More]
From Relief to Recovery: Jordan, ILO, and UNDP Advance Decent Work in Crisis-Hit Areas
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), held a high-level event during the Second World Summit for Social Development (WSSD2) to advance resilience and recovery through decent work. The initiative reaffirmed that employment, social justice, and workers’ rights are essential foundations for… [Read More]
UNESCO and Oxford Partner with Kenya to Train Civil Servants in AI and Digital Skills
Kenya has achieved a significant milestone in advancing public sector innovation with the launch of the UNESCO–Oxford Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation in Government. Developed by UNESCO and the University of Oxford, and delivered through the Kenya School of Government under the DigiKen – Digital Platforms Kenya programme funded… [Read More]
How ‘Mama Mobokoli’ is Shaping the Future of Young Women Entrepreneurs
Jocelyne Mpila, once identified as a vulnerable individual through the Single Social Registry (RSU), has transformed her life through the Social Protection and Productive Inclusion of Youth (PSIPJ) project. After receiving vocational training and earning a certificate of aptitude, she became a “Mamapreneur,” a term used to describe women entrepreneurs who manage community childcare centers…. [Read More]
How to Keep Transportation Systems Cool and Resilient Amid Global Warming
Transportation systems worldwide are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat, which can damage infrastructure, disrupt operations, and pose serious risks to both users and workers. A new report funded by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), titled Heatwaves and Their Effects on Transportation Systems: A Comprehensive Review, consolidates global research… [Read More]
Tuvalu to Strengthen Fiscal Stability with $7 Million ADB Grant
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $7 million policy-based grant to support Tuvalu in strengthening its public financial management systems. The initiative, known as the Tuvalu Supporting Public Sector Management Reform Program, is designed to enhance fiscal resilience, promote transparency and accountability within public institutions, and improve climate resilience through better financial governance…. [Read More]
Lessons from U.S. Metropolitan Planning to Build Ukraine’s Future Cities
Mr. Bean, former Executive Director of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, shared insights from his decade of experience leading one of the United States’ most successful regional governance bodies. He explained that his involvement with the Forum of Agglomerations of Ukraine stems from his desire to help the country develop effective metropolitan governance systems…. [Read More]
European Union Tightens Visa Regulations for Russians
The European Commission has adopted stricter visa rules for Russian nationals in response to heightened security risks stemming from Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. These measures address concerns related to the weaponisation of migration, potential sabotage, disinformation campaigns, and other threats that could compromise the security of the European Union and its citizens…. [Read More]
European Investment Bank supports Ukraine with €100 million for energy and economic recovery
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has disbursed €100 million to Ukraine to support economic resilience and critical municipal heating infrastructure amid the ongoing war. The financing, backed by the EU for Ukraine Fund and the European Commission’s Ukraine Investment Framework, demonstrates the European Union’s continued commitment to sustaining Ukraine’s economy and essential public services. This… [Read More]
£427,000 in Funding Distributed to Charities by Channel Islands Lottery
The Channel Islands Lottery has awarded over £427,000 in grants to projects and organisations dedicated to enhancing the mental and physical wellbeing of island communities. These grants, which ranged from £2,000 to £130,000, were distributed in 2024 to support initiatives in physical activities and community support networks. In Guernsey, £191,000 was awarded through grants and… [Read More]
Climate Crisis in the Solomon Islands: Battling Rising Oceans and Displacement
Sikaiana, a tiny atoll of less than two square kilometres, is home to around 300 people and lies more than 200 kilometres from the main island of the Solomon Islands. Surrounded by the sea, most homes are just steps from the shore, making the community highly vulnerable to rising tides that flood the tree line… [Read More]
COP30 Opens with Calls to Strengthen Climate Commitments and Funding
COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, convenes amid mounting climate crises, with the Amazon rainforest—an essential carbon sink—facing escalating threats from deforestation and warming. The summit underscores the urgent need for tangible action over dialogue, focusing on reviewing national climate plans, mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually in climate finance, advancing adaptation measures, and promoting a just transition… [Read More]
Safeguarding Clean Water Access in a Changing Climate
Healthcare facilities are critical for vulnerable populations, yet inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) can turn expected care into inadvertent harm, according to Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. He stressed that strengthening healthcare systems is essential for resilience during crises. In response, a UN-led meeting in Budapest saw more than 40 countries… [Read More]
Zimbabwe’s Rural Transformation: Scaling Innovation to Strengthen Food Security
In rural Zimbabwe, a transformative agricultural revolution is underway, reshaping the lives of smallholder farmers. Solar-powered irrigation, satellite analytics, digital advisory tools, and science-based food safety solutions are helping farmers grow food year-round, access markets, and build resilience. Supported by the Government of Zimbabwe, the European Union, the Fleming Fund, the African Development Bank, the… [Read More]
Malawi’s Youth Gain New Opportunities Through FAO–UNFPA Partnership
In Mchinji District, Malawi, 18-year-old Kherena Medson exemplifies how targeted opportunities can transform young lives. Once forced to leave school due to financial difficulties, Kherena now runs a thriving poultry enterprise, supports her family, and has resumed her education, thanks to the FAO–UNFPA joint project “Action for Teen Mothers and Adolescent Girls and Boys,” supported… [Read More]
Women Farmers Drive Zambia’s Cassava Transformation with Climate-Smart Practices
In Kasama District, northern Zambia, Maureen Bwalya has transformed her two-hectare cassava farm into a model of climate-smart agriculture, turning a traditionally low-yield crop into a source of increased income and resilience for her family. Through the European Union-funded Sustainable Intensification of Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) Project, led by the Food and Agriculture Organization… [Read More]
Building Resilience: Eswatini’s Women and Youth Farmers Benefit from FAO Initiative
In Eswatini, youth and women farmers are transforming smallholder agriculture with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) through the Technical Cooperation Project (TCP/ESW/3903). The initiative is helping young farmers move from subsistence to commercial production, strengthen resilience against climate shocks, and access new markets through innovative agricultural practices. In… [Read More]
Advancing Health in the Western Pacific: WHO Collaborating Centres Drive Innovation and Unity
The Fifth Regional Forum of WHO Collaborating Centres in the Western Pacific reaffirmed the importance of regional partnerships for advancing health and well-being amid challenges to multilateralism globally. Collaboration across hospitals, universities, laboratories, and research centres under the WHO network continues to drive innovation and strengthen health systems, demonstrating how scientific cooperation and solidarity can… [Read More]
African Development Bank and WHO Sign $55 Million Deal to Strengthen Health Systems in Sudan
On 3 November 2025, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) signed a three-year funding and implementation agreement for the Sudan Health Emergency and Infrastructure Project (SHEIP). The project aims to enhance access to quality health care across Sudan, focusing on essential health service delivery, emergency preparedness and response, and building… [Read More]
Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Amazon to Prevent Zoonotic Outbreaks
Brasilia, Brazil, 7 November 2025 — Nine countries from the Amazon Basin and the Darién Corridor have agreed to strengthen regional health security by improving surveillance, preparedness, and response to emerging zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted from animals to humans. This initiative reinforces regional cooperation under the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental… [Read More]
