The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science returns for its 23rd year, offering the public a unique opportunity to explore how social science research shapes the world around us. Running from 18 October to 8 November, the festival features hundreds of free events across the UK, hosted by 41 universities and… [Read More]
UKRI Awards £120 Million in Future Leaders Fellowships to Top UK Researchers
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the latest round of its prestigious Future Leaders Fellowships (FLF), awarding £120 million to 77 promising early-career researchers across the UK. These fellowships aim to empower the next generation of research and innovation leaders by providing them with the resources and support to lead cutting-edge projects. Among the… [Read More]
EU Expansion: Which Country Could Join the EU and Eurozone in 2028
Montenegro aims to join the European Union and the euro zone in 2028, according to Prime Minister Milojko Spajic. The small Balkan nation, which has seen its economy nearly double over the past five years, is also considering selling fresh government bonds to institutional or retail investors to support its economic growth. The EU has… [Read More]
Threatened Arts Venue Faces Closure Within Six Months
New Brewery Arts, a well-known arts venue in Cirencester, has issued a plea to the community to “use us or lose us,” warning that it could close within six months without new funding. Established in 1978 in the historic former Cirencester Brewery buildings, the charity has served the town for nearly 50 years, offering workshops,… [Read More]
UN Expert Urges Rights-Based Approach to Energy and Water Access
A UN expert has called for rights-based energy and water systems to prevent the commodification of water and move beyond traditional market-driven energy models. During the presentation of his report “Water and Energy Nexus” at the UN Human Rights Council, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation, highlighted… [Read More]
Pakistan Launches HPV Vaccine to Protect Girls Against Cervical Cancer
The Government of Pakistan, through its Federal Directorate for Immunization (FDI) and in partnership with Gavi, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer. This initiative represents a significant step in improving women’s health and advancing Pakistan’s goal to eliminate… [Read More]
Call for Expressions of Interest: Join the Multi-Hazard Research Network
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is inviting expressions of interest by 8 October 2025 to establish a Multi-Hazard Research Network (MHRN). The network is intended to provide rapid, high-quality evidence and expert advice to the FCDO and its partners, supporting timely and effective responses to emergencies. By informing evidence-based decision-making, the MHRN… [Read More]
Creative New Zealand Expands Funding for Arts Organisations and Groups
Creative New Zealand has announced that its Arts Organisations and Groups (AOG) Fund will offer more flexible and longer-term funding options, creating new opportunities for arts organisations and groups across Aotearoa New Zealand. The extended fund is designed to provide greater stability, allowing organisations to plan ahead, grow their work, and strengthen their impact in… [Read More]
Montreal Invests in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure to Boost Housing Development
The Government of Canada and the City of Montreal have announced a joint investment of $320 million to support infrastructure for the first phase of the Namur-Hippodrome neighborhood, aimed at accelerating housing construction. The federal contribution of up to $128.3 million comes through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), while the City of Montreal adds… [Read More]
The future of UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE)
The UK Government has announced a £448 million investment in research and development for the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE), enabling the maritime sector to plan the next five years of clean innovation. This funding aligns with the Department for Transport’s March 2025 maritime decarbonisation strategy (MDS), which sets out a pathway… [Read More]
Scaling Water Reuse: Unlocking Municipal and Industrial Efficiency
The World Bank Group has released its flagship report, “Scaling Water Reuse: A Tipping Point for Municipal and Industrial Use,” emphasizing the urgent need to invest in water treatment and reuse. The report highlights how treated water can provide fit-for-purpose supply for both municipal and industrial applications, unlocking a sustainable and valuable resource that remains… [Read More]
Ukraine Reports Highest Civilian Toll from Cluster Munitions for Third Consecutive Year
The latest Cluster Munitions Monitor reports that more than 1,200 people have been killed or injured in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, though the true number is likely much higher and may take years to determine. Loren Persi, team lead for the report, highlighted that similar underestimations occurred in conflicts in Syria… [Read More]
Yemen Crisis Deepens: UN Warns of Famine, Fighting, and Aid Worker Detentions
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg addressed the Security Council, emphasizing that the crisis in Yemen is deeply intertwined with broader regional instability. He described Yemen as both a reflection and an amplifier of regional volatility, noting that progress toward peace is hindered by regional rivalries, cross-border tensions, and internal divisions. Grundberg highlighted that the ongoing… [Read More]
UN Revises 2026 Budget Proposal with Cost Cuts and Reform Measures
The United Nations has finalized revised estimates for its 2026 proposed programme budget, incorporating more than $500 million in reductions while introducing the first measures of the UN80 Initiative, a broader effort to make the Organisation more effective and resilient on its 80th anniversary. The revised estimates, shared with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and… [Read More]
Strengthening Supply Chains to Drive Inclusive Growth in Asia-Pacific
The International Labour Organization (ILO) convened the forum “Resilient Supply Chains and Equitable Growth in a Changing World of Work: Advancing Decent Work through Regional Cooperation in Asia and the Pacific” in Bangkok, Thailand, on 15–16 September 2025, highlighting the critical role of supply chains in driving inclusive growth across the region. Participants stressed that… [Read More]
New South4Care Platform Launched to Promote Decent Work in the Care Economy
The International Labour Organization (ILO) and its International Training Centre (ITCILO) have launched South4Care, a global platform aimed at strengthening South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) to advance decent work in the care economy. The initiative brings together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and international partners to position care as a driver of decent work, gender… [Read More]
IFAD, EU, and FINCA Leverage Remittances to Boost Climate Resilience in Rural Tajikistan
More than 85,000 people in rural Tajikistan will now be able to leverage remittances from relatives working abroad to create long-term financial stability and adapt to environmental challenges linked to climate change. This initiative forms part of wider regional efforts in Central Asia to maximize the development impact of remittances and improve livelihoods in rural… [Read More]
Belize City Advances Local Disaster Risk Reduction Measures
Over three days, local authorities, civil society representatives, development partners, and community leaders in Belize City collaborated to advance the city’s resilience through the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative. Participatory workshops marked a crucial step in developing a Local Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Resilience Action Plan, with technical guidance from UNDRR and collaboration… [Read More]
Guatemala Secures World Bank Funding to Boost Public Spending Efficiency and Transparency
The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved a US$50 million project, Smart Public Finance: Data-Driven Public Expenditure Management for Greater Efficiency, to modernize Guatemala’s public financial systems. The initiative aims to improve transparency, strengthen decision-making, and enhance the efficiency of public spending, ultimately improving access to and quality of services for Guatemalan citizens. The project… [Read More]
ADB Funds Major Road Project to Boost Transport Connectivity in Kazakhstan
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a sovereign-guaranteed loan of $400 million to KazAvtoZhol National Company JSC for the construction of a new road in southern Kazakhstan. The project aims to strengthen regional connectivity, improve transport efficiency, facilitate cross-border trade, and enhance road safety. By developing the Saryagash Bypass Road, Kazakhstan is expected to… [Read More]
AfDB Grants $400,000 to Ethiopia for Public Disclosure Platform to Strengthen Capital Market
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority (ECMA) have signed a grant agreement for $400,000 to establish a public disclosure platform and introduce new financial products, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and green bonds, at the Ethiopian Securities Exchange. This grant, provided through the Capital Markets Development Trust Fund (CMDTF), supports… [Read More]
Secretary Rollins Launches Reinvigorated Farm to School Grants to Support American Farmers and Children
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants, aiming to strengthen child health and support American agriculture. Through this initiative, the USDA will invest up to $18 million in projects that connect farmers to child nutrition programs via local food procurement, school gardens, agricultural… [Read More]
Webinar on Gender Violence Programs Targeting Men: Community of Practice for Gender Equality and Evidence Use
J-PAL LAC’s Community of Practice (CoP) for Gender Equality and Evidence Use aims to bring together government officials, researchers, NGOs, and civil society to address structural barriers that limit the empowerment of girls and women across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The CoP facilitates periodic meetings where evidence is shared, and participants exchange knowledge,… [Read More]
