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A new £100,000 Engagement for Change Fund has been announced by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to support women from Northern Ireland’s community and voluntary sector in influencing positive change and participating more actively in public decision-making. The three-year initiative aims to equip community leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively represent their… [Read More]

Along the coast of Zanzibar, seaweed farming has become a vital source of livelihood for thousands of families. At low tide, many women work in shallow coastal waters cultivating seaweed tied to underwater lines. The activity has grown into one of the islands’ most important economic sectors, with more than 23,000 farmers involved, over 80… [Read More]

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “Rights. Action. Justice. For all women and girls,” emphasizes the need to turn commitments to gender equality into practical changes in workplaces, communities, and economies. Employment-intensive investment programmes contribute to this goal by promoting women’s rights at work and expanding their access to decent employment opportunities. These… [Read More]

Ethiopia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its tourism and hospitality sector through a national consultation aimed at establishing a Sector Skills Body (SSB). The initiative seeks to address ongoing human resource challenges in the industry by improving coordination between employers and training institutions, ensuring that workforce development aligns with the real needs of… [Read More]

A new daycare centre for domestic workers has been launched in the Gulele Sub-City of Addis Ababa to provide safe and reliable childcare while supporting women’s participation in the labour market. The initiative was led by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with local government institutions, workers’ organizations, and community partners. By offering quality early… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization is piloting an AI-driven Job Hub in Bosnia and Herzegovina to help public employment services improve the matching of jobseekers with available vacancies and strengthen labour market intelligence. In the Western Balkans, job vacancy information is often scattered across multiple private job portals, while many employers advertise outside public systems. This… [Read More]

The Government of Zambia has launched the “100 Days of Productivity Activism,” a nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening a culture of productivity across public institutions, private businesses, and communities. Led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the initiative was officially introduced on 5 March 2026 in Lusaka and encourages citizens to adopt simple… [Read More]

The International Labour Organization’s Promise II Impact project has been working with rural banks across Indonesia to strengthen support for women-owned micro and small enterprises, which play a vital role in the country’s economy. As part of this effort, a two-day workshop on gender-responsive business development was held in Surabaya in early February 2026. The… [Read More]

Stakeholders from government institutions, labour organizations, development partners, and private sector representatives have officially validated and launched the Employment Impact Assessment (EmpIA) for the Luangwa–Mwami Road, a significant section of the Nacala Corridor. The launch took place on 4 March 2026 in Lusaka and marks an important step toward understanding the employment outcomes linked to… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency’s Board of Directors have approved the first in a series of operations aimed at supporting Angola’s structural reform agenda and economic diversification. The initiative seeks to promote inclusive growth and expand job creation, particularly for the country’s large youth population. The operation… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved the South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program, aimed at accelerating infrastructure investment, boosting job creation, and supporting economic growth. Central to the initiative is the establishment of a Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV), which will provide market-based credit guarantees to help reduce risks for investors and attract private… [Read More]

The World Bank Group has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pacific Island countries in strengthening their economies, creating jobs, and attracting private investment through a regional visit by senior officials to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand. During the visit, the delegation engaged with government leaders and private sector partners to launch new… [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that rising food and fuel prices linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East could intensify hunger among vulnerable populations both within the region and globally. The conflict has already had severe humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties, large-scale displacement, and damage to essential infrastructure, while… [Read More]

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $10 million loan to help strengthen the innovation capacity of businesses and entrepreneurs in Paraguay through the Business Innovation Program II (PROINNOVA II), which will be implemented by the National Science and Technology Council (CONACYT). The program seeks to boost investment in innovation among established firms, encourage… [Read More]

Protecting civilian infrastructure that supports essential services is critical for preventing both immediate and long-term suffering during armed conflicts. When facilities such as hospitals, schools, water systems, and energy networks are damaged or destroyed, civilians often face severe consequences that extend far beyond the initial attack. These impacts can include disrupted access to health care,… [Read More]

Women’s participation in the global labor force remains significantly lower than that of men, with just over half of women engaged in the workforce compared to about 80 percent of men. This disparity limits economic growth, as closing the gap could increase average national incomes by nearly 20 percent. With around 1.2 billion young people… [Read More]

Jamaica has achieved one of the most remarkable public debt reductions in recent history, cutting its public-debt-to-GDP ratio from around 140 percent in 2012 to about 62 percent in 2024. This major improvement was primarily driven by the government maintaining large and consistent primary budget surpluses averaging more than 6 percent of GDP for over… [Read More]

The European Commission has approved a €200 million Spanish State aid scheme aimed at strengthening manufacturing capacity within the electric vehicle (EV) value chain. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and supports the broader transition toward a net-zero economy. The approval was granted under the Clean Industrial Deal State… [Read More]

As Côte d’Ivoire welcomes a new government following legislative and presidential elections, the country faces a unique opportunity to turn political transition into a catalyst for women’s leadership and inclusive growth. With attention shifting from campaigning to governing, there is a strategic window to inspire and enable more women to participate meaningfully in public decision-making… [Read More]

In Georgia, municipalities are translating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into practical solutions that improve daily life, from waste management to child welfare. Seed funding from the Joint SDG Fund has catalyzed a growing movement for local innovation, accountability, and inclusive growth, helping towns and cities turn ambitious plans into measurable outcomes. A joint programme… [Read More]

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP) marked International Women’s Day 2026 with a joint event focused on strengthening women farmers’ access to justice, rights, and opportunities. This year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” aligns with the global International… [Read More]

In Bangladesh, more than 1,000 girls—85% of 1,200 participants—have been able to avoid child marriage and continue their education after receiving income-generating support from Save the Children. The programme, which includes providing goats for rearing, has allowed girls to generate independent incomes, reducing financial pressures that often push families to marry off daughters at an… [Read More]

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has opened nominations for the 2026 Champions of the Earth award, the UN’s highest environmental honour, with a focus on ocean health. This year, the award seeks to recognize individuals, organizations, and governments leading efforts to protect and restore the ocean, a vital ecosystem critical to climate stability, biodiversity, food… [Read More]