The World Bank’s Executive Board has approved a project to strengthen Guatemala’s resilience to natural hazards and extreme climate events. The initiative aims to enhance institutional capacity to manage risks and protect vulnerable groups, including women heads of household, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and residents of informal settlements. By targeting areas with high exposure… [Read More]
New World Bank Initiative Aims to Bring Safe Water and Sanitation to Millions in Sierra Leone
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project, supported by a $40 million International Development Association (IDA) grant targeting the Western Area. This initiative marks the first phase of a Multiphase Programmatic Approach, totaling $180 million over the next decade, aimed at improving institutional… [Read More]
BCR Social Finance Receives €25 Million from CEB to Support Inclusive Romanian Entrepreneurs
The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and BCR Social Finance (BCRSF), a non-bank financial institution, have signed a €25 million loan agreement to enhance financial inclusion and support micro-enterprises, farmers, and social economy entities across Romania. The funding will target underserved communities, with a special focus on women entrepreneurs, young people, and rural households…. [Read More]
Empowering Women Boosts Water Management Efficiency in Indian Villages
A recent study in Madhya Pradesh, India, highlights the critical role of women in driving sustainable development through participation in local governance. Evidence from India shows that legally mandated quotas for women on village councils, combined with low-caste and minority representation, have expanded access to public goods like drinking water. These policies have given women… [Read More]
South Africa Hosts Launch of Africa’s AI Safety, Peace, and Security Hub
The African Hub on AI Safety, Peace and Security has been launched at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, on the margins of the G20 2025 ministerial meetings. As part of the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) network, the hub aims to address urgent risks and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence within African contexts…. [Read More]
What Happens to African Trade if AGOA Comes to an End?
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a US trade preference program launched in May 2000 to support sub-Saharan African economies. It provides duty-free access to the US market for over 1,800 products from eligible African countries. Currently, 32 countries benefit from AGOA, with 21 “lesser developed countries” also receiving special preferential treatment for… [Read More]
€545 Million EU Funding Package to Accelerate Renewable Energy Expansion in Africa
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a €545 million Team Europe package to accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition. Unveiled via video message at the Global Citizen Festival during the United Nations General Assembly, the funding supports the ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa’ campaign, co-hosted with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, which aims… [Read More]
WTO–ITC Fund Receives $200,000 from Bahrain to Support Women in Trade
The Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, launched in February 2024 at the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, is a $50 million initiative jointly funded and managed by the WTO Secretariat and the International Trade Centre (ITC). The Fund provides grants, mentorship, and access to international business networks, enabling women entrepreneurs… [Read More]
Sustainable Agriculture Success Stories: Scaling Practices for Global Impact
The Food Securities Fund (FSF) demonstrates how targeted financial innovation can unlock sustainable and equitable agriculture financing. Developed by Clarmondial with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through Conservation International, the fund leverages blended finance to channel investment into agricultural supply chains in emerging and developing markets. By providing pre-harvest working capital, FSF enables… [Read More]
The Elsie Initiative Fund Expands Support for Uniformed Women Peacekeepers in South Sudan
The Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) has announced funding for a two-year pilot project with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) aimed at improving conditions for uniformed women peacekeepers deployed to remote areas. Assessments conducted by UNMISS between 2022 and 2024 revealed that inadequate accommodation and water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities within Company Operating… [Read More]
FAO Welcomes Italian Rugby Federation to Global Champions Community
The Italian Rugby Federation (FIR) has joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the newest member of the FAO Champions community. This partnership, announced on the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, aims to leverage the power of sport to promote healthy diets, reduce food loss and… [Read More]
Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation Hosted by FAO in Rome
The second Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation opened at FAO headquarters in Rome, emphasizing that the adoption of good practices can make livestock systems truly sustainable, according to FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. The conference brings together FAO Members, policymakers, farmers, private companies, industry associations, civil society, NGOs, researchers, and development agencies to share experiences… [Read More]
New £400,000 Grants Support Mental Health and Arts Projects
Grants totaling £400,115 have been awarded to support 23 community projects across Northern Ireland through the Arts and Mental Health Partnership Programme, with individual grants of up to £20,000. The initiative aims to bring arts organisations together with specialist mental health service providers to create projects targeting people experiencing disadvantage or exclusion, including individuals living… [Read More]
Pennsylvania Communities to Receive Nearly 2.3 Million Meals from FirstEnergy Foundation’s Record Hunger-Relief Grant
The FirstEnergy Foundation is supporting communities across Pennsylvania through its Hunger Action Month initiative, awarding $750,000 in grants to 37 food banks and pantries. This initiative is part of a broader $2.5 million effort to assist 104 hunger relief organizations across six states, marking the Foundation’s largest hunger-relief investment to date. The grants will provide… [Read More]
Ohio Communities to Receive 1.5 Million Meals Through FirstEnergy Foundation’s Record Hunger-Relief Grant
The FirstEnergy Foundation has awarded $535,000 in grants to 14 food banks and pantries in Ohio as part of its Hunger Action Month initiative, supporting local communities and contributing to the Foundation’s largest hunger-relief investment to date. In total, the initiative is providing $2.5 million to 104 hunger relief organizations across New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio,… [Read More]
Largest Hunger Relief Grant by FirstEnergy Foundation to Serve 1.9 Million Meals in Three States
The FirstEnergy Foundation has announced its largest hunger-relief initiative to date, awarding $620,000 in grants to 32 food banks and pantries across West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. This funding is part of a broader $2.5 million effort supporting over 100 hunger relief organizations in New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. The grants… [Read More]
Kosovo Police Receive Specialized Criminal Analysis Training from OSCE Mission
From 23 to 25 September, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo conducted an advanced criminal analysis training for 20 analysts from the Department of Intelligence and Analysis and other analytical units within the Kosovo Police. The program aimed to strengthen participants’ capacity to identify, assess, and respond to complex criminal activity through advanced techniques in criminal… [Read More]
Uzbekistan Women Returnees Gain Economic Opportunities Through OSCE Initiatives
A training seminar was held in the Tashkent region to support women who have returned from labour migration, focusing on expanding their economic opportunities. The event was backed by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and organized in collaboration with the Committee of Family and Women, the Committee on Tourism under the Ministry of Ecology,… [Read More]
International Observers Highlight Cyber Threats, Illegal Funding in Moldova’s Competitive Elections
Moldova’s recent parliamentary elections were competitive and offered voters clear choices between political alternatives, but the process was overshadowed by serious challenges, including foreign interference, illegal campaign financing, cyberattacks, and widespread disinformation, according to international observers. Despite the authorities’ efforts to mitigate these threats, these factors posed significant obstacles to the integrity of the electoral… [Read More]
Open-Source Intelligence Training Enhances Law Enforcement Capabilities in BiH
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina recently concluded a specialized training on open-source intelligence (OSINT) in Sarajevo, aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to combat serious crime. This initiative emphasized the importance of intelligence-led policing (ILP) as a critical approach for law enforcement to anticipate threats, track criminal activity, and respond effectively. Participants included… [Read More]
UK Space Agency Launches 23 Projects to Strengthen Global Space Collaboration
The UK Space Agency has announced a new round of 23 international projects designed to strengthen global space partnerships, develop national capabilities, and stimulate economic growth. Funded through the International Bilateral Fund (IBF) with a £6.5 million investment, these initiatives enable UK companies and universities to collaborate with partners in countries including Australia, Canada, France,… [Read More]
Strengthening Epidemic Preparedness: UNAIDS Partners with Africa CDC
UNAIDS and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen collaboration on Africa’s health security, community health systems, and sustainable HIV responses. The agreement highlights the shared commitment of both institutions to support African countries in addressing public… [Read More]
Minister Dara Calleary Announces Funding to Develop Roonagh Pier Improvement Plan
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced funding of €157,300 for Mayo County Council to prepare a preliminary business case for improvements at Roonagh pier. This funding follows a meeting with representatives from Clare Island and Inishturk and is part of efforts to enhance access for the island… [Read More]
