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The Government of Madagascar has launched a new phase of strategic projects to accelerate the sustainable, inclusive and resilient transformation of its food systems, with support from the European Union and the United Nations Joint SDG Fund. Led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the initiative forms part of the country’s national roadmap to… [Read More]

On 20 February 2026, marking the World Day of Social Justice, a new joint policy brief was launched highlighting the role of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in advancing a human rights–based economic model. The brief was issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, the ILO-chaired United Nations Inter-Agency… [Read More]

On 29 January 2026 in New Delhi, the International Labour Organization convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue on Responsible Business Conduct for decent work, bringing together representatives from employers’ and workers’ organizations, government institutions, enterprises and other partners. The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration to advance responsible business practices in India, particularly in the context of evolving… [Read More]

The Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the International Labour Organization signed a new Strategic Partnership Framework for 2026–2029 in Geneva on 2 February 2026, renewing their long-standing cooperation. The agreement was formalized by senior representatives from Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the ILO, reaffirming their shared commitment to advancing… [Read More]

In Pampanga, the International Labour Organization partnered with the Commission on Human Rights and the Department of Labor and Employment to reaffirm their shared commitment to upholding labour rights as human rights, with a strong focus on freedom of association. A joint training brought together CHR officials, investigators and training specialists to strengthen national systems… [Read More]

As global labour markets continue to shift, the Government of Canada is investing in initiatives that strengthen workforce participation and ensure access to meaningful employment opportunities. The Honourable Anna Gainey announced $6.8 million in funding over five years to support approximately 1,800 members of the English-speaking community in Quebec’s Eastern Townships through the Townshippers’ Association’s… [Read More]

The Environment Agency (EA) has announced a new package of surveillance and investigative measures aimed at preventing waste crime before it occurs. The initiative forms part of a wider crackdown on illegal dumping and organised waste crime, using advanced technology and strengthened enforcement teams to detect and disrupt offenders at an earlier stage. A key… [Read More]

During a visit to the Meals on Wheels service at St. Munchin’s Community Centre in Limerick City, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State for Older People Kieran O’Donnell announced a €2 million increase in 2026 funding for Meals on Wheels organisations nationwide. The additional allocation from the Health Service Executive represents a rise of… [Read More]

The European Union and the United Nations have launched a new EU-funded UN Multi-Country Programme titled “Challenging Harmful Attitudes and Norms for Gender Equality (CHANGE)” to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and promote gender equality across Central Asia. The programme will be jointly implemented by United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund and UN Women… [Read More]

Haiti is facing a deepening security, humanitarian, and governance crisis as armed gangs expand their control across large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas. Entire neighborhoods are under gang dominance, forcing families to flee and severely restricting access to schools, healthcare, and other essential services. As poverty intensifies and state presence remains limited,… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved an $846 million guarantee from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to mobilize $1.41 billion in long-term commercial financing for a major rail connectivity project in Kazakhstan. The investment will support development along the country’s section of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the Middle Corridor,… [Read More]

A new six-year partnership between the World Bank Group and Papua New Guinea aims to support reforms and investments that will generate employment, improve public services, and strengthen long-term resilience. Approved by the World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors on 17 February 2026, the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) will guide support through 2031,… [Read More]

The World Food Programme has warned that its life-saving emergency food and nutrition operations in Somalia are at imminent risk of shutting down without immediate new funding. Resources are expected to run out within weeks, threatening to halt assistance to millions of vulnerable people. The alert comes shortly after the declaration of a national drought… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group has approved $58.04 million in financing to expand access to reliable and clean electricity across three towns in Eritrea’s southwest Gash Barka region. Approved on 18 February, the funding will support the Eritrea Energy Integrated Project targeting Tesseney, Kerkebet, and Berantu, with the aim of strengthening local energy infrastructure and… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group, in partnership with the Africa Rice Centre and the Economic Community of West African States, has launched the Strengthening Adaptation to Climate Change of Rice Value Chains in West Africa (REWARD-AfricaRice) programme. The $8.5 million initiative, funded by the African Development Bank, is a multinational technical support project aimed at… [Read More]

The African Development Bank Group and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture have signed a $16.61 million grant agreement to launch the third phase of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Program (TAAT-III). Signed on 18 February 2026 in Abuja, the agreement aims to scale climate-resilient food production across Africa by promoting proven agricultural technologies,… [Read More]

New York-based crypto investment firm DBA has closed its second venture capital fund at $68 million, following the successful launch of a $50 million Fund I in 2023. The firm focuses on blockchain infrastructure, decentralized finance (DeFi), and early-stage application projects, combining investments across private and public markets with a 10-year fund structure designed for… [Read More]

The NBA Foundation has awarded grants to three Minnesota-based organizations—Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Saint Paul Parks & Recreation Conservancy’s Right Track Program, and V3 Sports—to support programs that advance economic opportunities for under-resourced youth. These grants are part of a broader round of funding in which 91 nonprofit organizations nationwide received support…. [Read More]

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) has unveiled ERM®-BD300, a rice-based certified reference material designed to improve the accuracy of laboratory testing for cereulide, a toxin produced by Bacillus cereus. Cereulide is heat-resistant and can cause food poisoning, with symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to, in rare cases, liver failure and death. Outbreaks… [Read More]

A recent baseline study evaluates Georgia’s Universal Health Care Program, launched in 2013, through the lens of the right to health, with particular attention to persons with disabilities. While the program has achieved notable progress, including expanded coverage and reduced out-of-pocket costs, significant challenges remain regarding equitable access, quality of care, system sustainability, and transparency… [Read More]

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has granted operational licences to promoters of a new medical-focused free trade zone designed to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported healthcare products. The initiative, promoted by Harvestfield Industries, is aimed at strengthening local manufacturing capacity and expanding export opportunities in the health sector. During the licence presentation in… [Read More]

The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has approved R$148.5 million in financing for Bioo Paraná Holding SA to build a biomethane plant in Toledo, western Paraná. The total investment for the project is R$196 million, with R$101.5 million coming from the Climate Fund and R$47.1 million from the Finem credit line, which supports larger-scale projects. The… [Read More]

In 2025, African tech startups raised a record $1.64 billion through debt financing, marking a 63% increase from $1.01 billion in 2024. The number of debt deals also rose sharply to 108, up 40% from the previous year. Debt now constitutes 41% of total capital deployed in African tech, up from 17% in 2019, highlighting… [Read More]