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The School of Public Health’s Pandemic Center has received a $900,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to launch a program for mid-career professionals in Africa focused on biological threat reduction policy. The three-year initiative, set to begin in summer 2026, will feature a 9–10-week online course and a yearlong fellowship to provide… [Read More]

The European Commission has announced a new €115 million funding instrument, AGILE, designed to rapidly bring disruptive defence technologies from the lab to operational use. The pilot programme aims to accelerate the development, testing, and market deployment of innovations such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and drones, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized… [Read More]

Investment in the cotton, textiles, and garments sector has the potential to transform economic development in Central and West Africa, according to speakers at high-level events held on the eve of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Ministers, agency heads, development finance institutions, private sector partners, and FIFA representatives emphasized the opportunity for… [Read More]

Investment in the cotton, textiles, and garments sector has the potential to transform economic development in Central and West Africa, according to speakers at high-level events held on the eve of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Ministers, agency heads, development finance institutions, private sector partners, and FIFA representatives emphasized the opportunity for… [Read More]

The government of Australia has pledged an additional AUD 2 million (around CHF 1.2 million) to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism, known as the Fish Fund, to support developing and least-developed members in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. This new contribution adds to Australia’s earlier AUD 2 million commitment in May 2023. The Fish… [Read More]

Maitland City Council is inviting local community groups and organisations to apply for funding through its Biannual Community Grants Program, which supports initiatives that strengthen community connections and contribute to a thriving city. Grants of up to $6,000 are available for Community Projects and up to $4,000 for Community Celebrations, helping bring local ideas to… [Read More]

Since June 2023, Cameroon has been implementing the “Healthy Food Market” project in two pilot markets in Douala—Ndogpassi and New Deido—aimed at transforming market practices and improving food safety. The initiative encourages traders to adopt better hygiene and handling practices, addressing long-standing unsafe behaviors such as using formalin to preserve meat and poor stall cleanliness,… [Read More]

Arusha – From 24 to 27 March 2026, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, with support from the Pandemic Fund and in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, convened an International Health Regulations (IHR) Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting. The session brought together key stakeholders to review progress, assess gaps,… [Read More]

Canada is taking decisive steps to strengthen its energy security, accelerate the clean energy transition, and drive economic growth. The government is focusing on deploying technologies that support a low-carbon, reliable, and competitive energy system, including carbon capture, renewable energy, and smart electricity grid innovations. These efforts aim to ensure affordability, resilience, and long-term prosperity… [Read More]

On March 27, 2026, in Toronto, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty announced nearly $1.4 billion in federal investments to support Indigenous health, wellness, and community services. The funding targets urban Indigenous populations, mental health and trauma programs, and assisted living services on reserve, aiming to provide stable, distinctions-based, and culturally grounded support that improves… [Read More]

At the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in France, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper announced an additional £2 million in humanitarian funding for Lebanon, bringing the total UK contribution to £9.5 million since the conflict began. The funding will support the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, which provides essential assistance… [Read More]

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) reported that humanitarian aid shipments are gradually resuming from Dubai, a key logistics hub, after initial disruptions caused by Iranian attacks across the Gulf. Robert Blanchard, WHO Emergency Operations Team Lead, noted that although the first two weeks of the crisis caused significant delays, commercially scheduled cargo is now… [Read More]

The humanitarian situation in the Middle East continues to worsen, with growing civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure, and severe global economic impacts. The conflict is disrupting essential supply chains, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres has emphasized the urgent need to mitigate these consequences and support affected populations. The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz… [Read More]

The Ontario government is providing the Township of Front of Yonge with up to $51,000 to cover emergency response and cleanup costs following a severe windstorm in June 2025. This support comes through the Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance (MDRA) program, which helps municipalities restore essential services, protect communities, and maintain public safety after natural disasters…. [Read More]

Violence against women (VAW) remains a widespread human rights issue across Europe and Central Asia, yet much of it remains unreported and unmeasured. Eight out of 18 countries and territories in the region still lack nationally representative data on VAW, leaving millions of women’s experiences uncounted and unaddressed. As countries aim to meet the 2030… [Read More]

A new project funded by the Republic of Korea and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will provide humanitarian assistance to over 6,000 migrants and members of border communities in Ecuador. The initiative targets vulnerable populations transiting key border crossings with Peru and Colombia, aiming to expand access to essential services and strengthen… [Read More]

As Nepal approaches its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026, the textile and garment sector faces growing pressure to meet evolving global market expectations. The industry, a key source of exports and women’s employment, must now comply with stricter labour rights standards and human rights due diligence, making social compliance essential… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved a $150 million IDA credit to support the continuity of essential health and education services in Mali, addressing the country’s recent climate, security, and economic challenges. The Emergency Access to Essential Services Project will fund the operational costs of national and regional health facilities, provide essential vaccines and medicines, and… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has approved the fourth phase of the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP), a $46 million initiative called Accelerating Innovation and Catalyzing Capacity for Resilience in Africa (AICCRA–FSRP4), to strengthen food security and boost job creation across Africa. The program, financed by the IDA, the PHRD Global South Pillar, and… [Read More]

The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are strengthening the country’s social protection system with US$90 million in additional financing for the Tunisia Social Development Promotion Support Project. This new support aims to help vulnerable households build better opportunities, access livelihoods, and enhance the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of Tunisia’s social protection programs. The… [Read More]

Seychelles has achieved one of Africa’s strongest economic performances, and a new World Bank–Government of Seychelles report highlights how smart, resilient investments and reforms can sustain growth, create quality jobs, and safeguard livelihoods. The Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) warns that without action, rising environmental and climate-related risks could reduce GDP by more than… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a €40 million loan to Montenegro to strengthen solid waste management, improve community living conditions, and support a cleaner, more attractive business environment. The Montenegro Waste Management Reform Project aims to modernize waste services, enhance institutional capacity, and align the sector with European Union standards, focusing on… [Read More]

At least five million farmers in the Philippines are expected to benefit from a new initiative aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, promoting diversification, and enhancing the climate resilience of agrifood systems. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved funding for the Philippines Sustainable Agricultural Transformation Project (PSAT) to support sector-wide reforms that modernize farming… [Read More]