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What began as a period of unemployment after graduation has turned into an inspiring entrepreneurial success story for 25-year-old Marko Guri, who is now helping put northern Albania on the tourism map through his growing business, Hidden Routes Albania. After earning a degree in economics, Marko faced the challenge experienced by many young Albanians—limited job… [Read More]

The Indian government has amended the Foreign Contribution Regulation Rules (FCRA), introducing stricter requirements for non-profit organizations seeking or receiving foreign funding. Under the revised regulations, organizations must now select their objectives from a predefined list of approved purposes and clearly identify the states or Union Territories where they intend to carry out their activities…. [Read More]

Pope Leo XIV visited the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) headquarters in Rome, demonstrating strong support for global efforts to combat rising hunger and food insecurity. The visit comes at a critical time as humanitarian organizations face increasing challenges due to growing food crises and declining funding. During his visit, Pope Leo XIV honored… [Read More]

The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science has announced a $29 million grant from the Helmsley Charitable Trust to support the restoration of the Weizmann Institute following severe damage caused by missile strikes in June 2025. The funding will help rebuild critical research infrastructure and ensure the continuation of scientific work at one… [Read More]

Northern Trust has been appointed by TirNua Capital Partners to provide fund administration, depositary, and banking services for its inaugural infrastructure investment fund. The Dublin-based fund has secured €340 million in commitments at its first close and is focused on supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy through investments in critical infrastructure projects. TirNua Capital… [Read More]

The partnership between the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) has been expanded in Nepal to strengthen locally sourced school meal programs for children. Following the success of a one-year pilot project completed in 2025, the initiative will continue during 2026–2027 with a joint investment of USD 500,000 from LCIF… [Read More]

Viet Nam’s 3,200-kilometer coastline plays a vital role in the country’s economy, environment, and social development. As the nation pursues ambitious economic growth targets, leaders increasingly recognize that long-term prosperity must be achieved alongside environmental protection and climate resilience. The government has identified ocean conservation, green development, and climate adaptation as key pillars of the… [Read More]

In his book How Africa Works, Joe Studwell argues that one of the overlooked reasons for Africa’s historically slow economic growth has been its low population density. Unlike the common perception that rapid population growth creates economic challenges, Studwell suggests that sparse populations limited the development of large consumer markets and made infrastructure investments more… [Read More]

West Africa spends more than $3.5 billion annually importing rice despite the crop being widely grown across the region. Rice remains a staple food for millions, and increasing domestic production presents a significant opportunity to strengthen food security, improve rural livelihoods, create jobs, and reduce dependence on volatile international commodity markets. The region possesses substantial… [Read More]

After three years of conflict, many families are beginning to return to Khartoum and surrounding areas only to find widespread destruction of infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and essential public services. The war forced millions of people to flee their homes, while damage to water systems and healthcare networks contributed to disease outbreaks, displacement, and worsening humanitarian… [Read More]

The United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS opened on 22 June 2026 at a crucial moment for the global HIV response. As governments gather in New York to adopt a new Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, global leaders are being urged to reaffirm their commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The… [Read More]

Cameroon has secured an additional CFAF 6 billion to complete its fourth General Population and Housing Census alongside the General Agriculture and Livestock Census. The new funding extends field operations until July 15, 2026, increasing the total budget allocated to the nationwide exercise to CFAF 19 billion. The decision was announced during a meeting of… [Read More]

The World Bank has approved a $160 million grant through the International Development Association (IDA) to support Chad in improving water security and strengthening climate resilience across vulnerable provinces. The initiative, known as the Water Security and Resilience Support Project in Chad (PASER), aims to help communities better cope with climate-related challenges while improving access… [Read More]

Belize has recorded one of the strongest post-pandemic rebounds in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the economy expanding at an average annual rate of nearly 8 percent between 2021 and 2024. The recovery was supported by a rapid rebound in tourism, stronger agricultural exports and growth in outsourced business services, helping reduce poverty, lower… [Read More]

Colombia’s migration policy shows how large-scale migration can be managed as both a humanitarian responsibility and a development opportunity. Over the past decade, Colombia has hosted nearly three million Venezuelan migrants and moved from emergency response toward long-term inclusion through legal frameworks, stronger institutions and better use of administrative data. In 2021, the Government of… [Read More]

Lagos State and EIB Global have signed a €170 million financing agreement to develop a sustainable and efficient waterways transport system in Lagos. The investment will support the Omi Eko Project, a major urban mobility initiative designed to improve public transport, reduce congestion and expand access to affordable waterborne transport across the city. The agreement… [Read More]

EIB Global and Wema Bank have signed a €50 million credit line agreement to expand financing for small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria, with a strong focus on youth-owned and women-focused businesses. The agreement marks the first transaction between EIB Global, the European Investment Bank’s international development arm, and Wema Bank, Nigeria’s oldest indigenous national… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank has agreed to provide €125 million in financing to the City of Tallinn to support a major urban investment programme running through 2030. The loan will help Estonia’s capital upgrade public buildings, improve transport systems and develop greener, more accessible public spaces. The financing will support a broad pipeline of projects… [Read More]

Ethiopia has completed the €75 million Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, a major initiative designed to improve access to clean water and sanitation services in urban communities across the country. The programme was implemented by the Ministry of Water and Energy of Ethiopia with support from Team Europe partners. The initiative delivered water infrastructure… [Read More]

Heavy rains in late November 2025 triggered severe floods and landslides across Aceh, North Sumatera and West Sumatera, leaving communities cut off by mud, damaged roads, broken bridges, blackouts and collapsed communications. The disaster affected 34 districts and cities, damaging homes, schools, bridges and essential infrastructure while isolating many villages from outside assistance. According to… [Read More]

A delegation from the Republic of Moldova visited Estonia from 8 to 12 June 2026 to learn from the country’s experience in supporting families, expanding childcare services and promoting family-friendly employment policies. The study visit took place as Moldova works to strengthen policies that help parents balance professional and family life while reducing gender inequalities…. [Read More]

A new Global Findex Note titled “Digital Connectivity and Financial Inclusion in Arab Countries” examines how digital access can help expand financial inclusion and strengthen economic resilience across low- and middle-income Arab economies in Africa and Asia. Drawing on the latest evidence from the Global Findex 2025, the report reviews progress in account ownership, digital… [Read More]

Douala is planning a public-private partnership worth about $100 million to procure and operate the bus fleet for its future Bus Rapid Transit network. The investment, estimated at around CFA57.7 billion, will involve private operators responsible for acquiring and running the buses that will serve the new urban transit system. The plan was presented during… [Read More]