As part of Expo Ganadera del Centro in Córdoba on September 30th, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Argentina hosted a regional workshop on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), under the SCALA project. Developed in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), SCALA aims to support the sustainable transition of… [Read More]
Milton Secures $8.4 Million to Accelerate Housing Through Ontario’s Building Faster Fund
The Ontario government is awarding Milton $8.4 million through the second round of the Building Faster Fund, which rewards municipalities that meet at least 80 percent of their provincially designated housing targets. In 2024, Milton broke ground on 2,260 new homes—nearly 130 percent of its housing target—qualifying it for this significant funding. The investment will… [Read More]
Ontario Pledges $6 Million to Boost Indigenous-Led Community Infrastructure
The Ontario government is investing $6 million to launch the annual intake for the Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP), supporting Indigenous communities and organizations in building vital infrastructure projects. These projects aim to foster long-term economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen local prosperity across the province. “Working alongside Indigenous communities, our government is investing… [Read More]
US to Block Funding for Global Transgender and Diversity Programs: Report
The Trump administration is reportedly set to halt federal funding for American and foreign organizations that support gender identity or diversity initiatives overseas, according to Politico. The policy is expected to cut off US funding to entities promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion” and transgender programs, which the administration claims conflict with its interpretation of women’s… [Read More]
Commonwealth Secretariat Strengthens Africa’s Fight Against Corruption
Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACAs) across Commonwealth Africa have bolstered their leadership and institutional capacity following targeted training delivered by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Financial Crimes Commission of Mauritius. The training, held in Port Louis, responded directly to requests from agency leaders at the 15th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption… [Read More]
New Alliance Harnesses Islamic and Arab Finance to Transform Economies in Africa and Beyond
UNIDO, the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), the Union of Arab Banks (UAB), and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) have launched a strategic partnership under the Islamic and Arab Finance for Economic Transformation in Africa, the Arab Region and Beyond (IFETAA) Programme. Access to finance remains a critical barrier to small… [Read More]
Elite Founders, Hidden Markets: Key Takeaways from EchoVC’s Eco Pilot Fund in Africa
Shell Foundation is excited to share insights from EchoVC’s inaugural Eco Pilot Fund, launched in partnership with UKaid through our Transforming Energy Access programme. The Fund set out with a bold mission: to support elite African founders tackling climate and climate-adjacent challenges with early-stage solutions that both cut emissions and boost incomes, transforming underserved markets…. [Read More]
Beyond the Convoy: How Local Voices Can Transform West Africa’s Humanitarian Aid
As the harmattan dust drifts across Burkina Faso’s horizon, white aid trucks rumble through Kaya, their tarpaulins branded with logos from far-off capitals. Children run alongside—not with hope for something new, but with expectation of the familiar: sacks of grain, cartons of oil, medicines labeled in languages they don’t speak. Nearby, under a neem tree,… [Read More]
AGF and Women’s World Banking Forge Strategic Partnership to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Africa
The African Guarantee Fund (AGF) and Women’s World Banking (WWB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening women’s role in Africa’s economy by expanding access to finance and support for women-led businesses. The partnership highlights the shared commitment of both organizations to advancing women’s economic empowerment through finance, technical support, and advocacy…. [Read More]
TCS Layoffs: IT Giant Offers Up to Two Years’ Severance Amid Restructuring and AI Push
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services firm, is offering severance packages of up to two years’ salary to employees affected by its latest restructuring exercise, according to a Moneycontrol report. The move comes as the company seeks to realign its workforce with emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and evolving client demands. The layoffs… [Read More]
U.S. Government Freezes $18 Billion in New York City Infrastructure Funds
The U.S. government has frozen roughly $18 billion in federal funding for New York City infrastructure projects, citing possible violations of constitutional rules tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. The Office of Management and Budget confirmed the freeze, which affects major initiatives including the Second Avenue Subway extension and the Hudson River Tunnel…. [Read More]
Australia’s Food Security Strategy: Progress on the Plate, But Key Ingredients Missing
In 2023, Australia launched a parliamentary inquiry into food security, inviting submissions from farmers, health experts, community groups, and advocates. The response was overwhelming, with 188 submissions underscoring both the urgency of the issue and the depth of expertise available to guide solutions. Two years later, the federal government is developing a national food security… [Read More]
PAI Secures €3.6 Billion to Extend Nestlé Ice Cream Joint Venture
European private equity firm PAI Partners has raised €3.6 billion ($4.2 billion) in fresh equity to strengthen its ice cream venture with Nestlé SA, enabling it to retain ownership of the business for a longer horizon. As part of the deal, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) will join as a minority co-investor in Froneri,… [Read More]
UN Experts Demand China Stop Criminalising Uyghur Cultural Expression
United Nations experts have voiced deep alarm over China’s continued repression of Uyghur and other minority cultural expression, warning that artistic and academic work is being treated as a threat to national security. Highlighting recent cases, the experts cited the imprisonment of 26-year-old Uyghur songwriter Yaxia’er Xiaohelaiti (Uigga) and the enforced disappearance of prominent scholar… [Read More]
Italy: EIB and Intesa Sanpaolo Sign €750 Million Deal to Boost Renewable Energy and Supply Chain
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Intesa Sanpaolo, through its IMI Corporate and Investment Banking Division, have signed two major financial agreements worth a combined €750 million to accelerate the development of renewable energy in Italy and across the EU. The agreements are expected to help finance the construction of renewable energy plants with a… [Read More]
EIB Provides €300 Million Loan to Support Ukraine’s Energy Security and Green Transition
The European Investment Bank (EIB), the bank of the European Union, has signed a €300 million loan agreement with Ukraine’s state-owned energy company, Naftogaz, to bolster the country’s energy security and resilience ahead of winter. The financing will help replenish Ukraine’s long-term gas reserves, ensuring stable energy supplies for households and businesses despite continued Russian… [Read More]
Ukraine and EU Launch Structured Dialogue with Business on Accession Path
The European Union and Ukraine are deepening cooperation with the Ukrainian business community as part of the country’s path toward EU accession. At the High-Level Dialogue “Ukraine’s Economy on the Path to the EU” in Kyiv, senior representatives of the Ukrainian Government and Parliament, the EU, and EU Member States met with leaders from business,… [Read More]
UEFA and Gavi Team Up to Launch Vaccine Awareness Campaign in Africa
UEFA and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have joined forces to launch an innovative vaccine awareness campaign that harnesses the unifying power of football to build trust in immunisation across Africa. With the support of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and its member associations, the initiative—called Goal Getters—will use youth football tournaments to teach children… [Read More]
FAO commits to new animal health and sustainability plans
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today announced a series of major initiatives to strengthen animal health and advance the sustainability of the livestock sector, following three days of global dialogue at its second Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation. The conference, held at FAO headquarters in Rome, brought together policymakers,… [Read More]
Fishery Committee for the Central and Eastern Atlantic (CECAF) holds 10th Scientific Sub-Committee to promote sustainable fisheries management
The Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) today opened its 10th Scientific Sub-Committee (SSC) session in Mindelo, Cabo Verde, bringing together 40 participants from 22 CECAF member countries, regional organizations, and international experts. The gathering provides a platform to review and synthesize the latest information on the state of small pelagic and demersal… [Read More]
Strengthening National Capacity in Crop Monitoring Systems in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is taking a major step in modernizing its agricultural statistics through the integration of Earth Observation (EO) technologies. This week, the country is hosting a training workshop organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), bringing together national experts for hands-on sessions aimed at enhancing the capacity to generate timely,… [Read More]
Reviving Hope in Mwenezi: Women Farmers Rebuild Their Future Through the Nourish and Thrive Project
Women farmers in Zimbabwe are restoring their livelihoods through a partnership between France, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Vision, and the Government of Zimbabwe, working to revive community gardens, improve nutrition, and strengthen resilience to climate shocks. For more than a decade, women in five villages in Mwenezi had… [Read More]
Third Call for Proposals Launched Under Black-led Philanthropic Endowment Fund
Diversity and inclusion have long been central to Canada’s prosperity. For decades, Black-led and Black-serving organizations across the country have advocated to dismantle systemic barriers to social and economic inclusion affecting Black communities. Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario,… [Read More]
