The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group have jointly announced a new initiative, BioTechEU, aimed at mobilising €10 billion in investments during 2026–2027 for the biotechnology and life sciences sector. The project seeks to address Europe’s current investment gap in biotech and strengthen the EU’s global competitiveness by directing public and private… [Read More]
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EIB Group and Coop Pank Launch €249 Million Funding for Estonian Companies
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group has partnered with Estonian lender Coop Pank to unlock up to €249 million in new financing for local businesses. This agreement enables Coop Pank to provide loans and leases to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Mid-Caps in Estonia, particularly targeting projects that advance gender equality, economic growth, and… [Read More]
German Climate Action Programme: NGOs Demand Clear Finance and Funding Plans
An alliance of environmental NGOs, led by the umbrella organization DNR, has urged the German government to integrate a clear cross-sector finance strategy into the upcoming Climate Action Programme 2026. The coalition emphasized that such a strategy is essential to ensure sufficient funding for climate initiatives and to systematically phase out climate-damaging subsidies in favor… [Read More]
Cross-Border Strategies to Improve Vaccine-Preventable Disease Outbreak Response
In November 2025, a significant cross-border capacity building meeting was held to strengthen preparedness and collaboration against vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) outbreaks between WHO India and WHO Nepal. The sessions took place in Gorakhpur, India, from November 13 to 14, and in Biratnagar, Nepal, from November 17 to 18. The initiative aimed to equip Surveillance Medical… [Read More]
Third Edition of HCLTech Climate Action Grant Awards $1M to Tackle the Climate Crisis in the Americas
HCLTech has announced the third edition of its Climate Action Grant in the Americas, continuing its commitment to support scalable and sustainable solutions that address the climate crisis. This year, the program will award $1 million to three non-profit organizations across ten countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and… [Read More]
Strengthening Vaccine Cold Chain in the Americas: PAHO and Canada Lead the Way
In recent months, national immunization programs in 18 countries and territories across the Americas have strengthened their vaccine cold chain systems, ensuring vaccine potency and reinforcing routine immunization. This progress was achieved through technical cooperation from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with financial support from the Government of Canada. The improved cold chain infrastructure… [Read More]
FAO Backs Urban Forest Initiative with 80 Trees for 80-Year Celebration
Urban forests are vital to city life, offering more than aesthetic value—they improve community well-being, boost biodiversity, and enhance urban resilience to climate change. These green spaces help cities breathe, providing cleaner air, regulating temperatures, supporting mental health, and contributing to overall environmental quality. To celebrate its eightieth anniversary, the Food and Agriculture Organization of… [Read More]
Implementing Eco-Friendly Pest Control for Climate-Resilient Farming in Asia and the Pacific
Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, a 56-year-old rice farmer from Thanh Quoi commune in Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta, has traditionally followed age-old rice cultivation methods passed down through generations. However, the intensifying impacts of climate change, including more frequent floods, droughts, saltwater intrusion, and invasive pests such as the fall armyworm, have severely threatened crop yields… [Read More]
Unlocking Impact: Lessons from the UN Joint SDG Fund’s Catalytic Investment Portfolio
The Joint SDG Fund’s catalytic investment portfolio has provided critical insights into the UN’s ability to mobilize innovative finance to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. A systematic synthesis of independent mid-term evaluations conducted between 2024 and 2025 across nine programmes in North Macedonia, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Uruguay, Fiji, Madagascar, Malawi, and Kenya assessed performance, implementation challenges,… [Read More]
2024–2025 Programme Summary: Achievements and Global Impact
The Joint SDG Fund, established by the United Nations General Assembly, acts as a key financing mechanism designed to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. By pooling resources from Member States, international organizations, and private sector partners, the Fund supports transformative development initiatives across the globe. The Fund operates through a… [Read More]
Digital Transformation in Social Protection Spotlighted at Lao PDR’s Second National Symposium
The Second National Symposium on Social Protection in Lao PDR, held in Vientiane on 12 December 2025, focused on digital innovation strategies that strengthen public services and improve accessibility. Organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the event served as a national platform for… [Read More]
Protecting Waste Workers in Nepal: Advancing Safety and Labor Standards
In Kathmandu, Nepal, informal waste management workers often face precarious working conditions, including lack of formal employment contracts, social security, and protections against workplace hazards. These workers are exposed to low wages, job insecurity, and limited safety measures, with gender disparities and low awareness of rights further increasing their vulnerability. Through the Promoting Rights and… [Read More]
Driving a Just Transition: Highlights from the MSD Event
The MSD for a Just Transition event convened 100 practitioners from diverse fields, including private sector development, market systems approaches, and green and Just Transition initiatives. Participants included donor agencies, UN organizations, financial institutions, INGOs, foundations, and consulting firms, all coming together to share knowledge, draw inspiration from twelve systems change field examples, and identify… [Read More]
Part II: How Public Institutions and Civil Society Shaped the Serbia–Kosovo Normalization Process
Across the OECD and beyond, collaborative governance is becoming increasingly essential. The concept of “co-production,” where public services and policies are designed together with communities and civil society, demonstrates that reforms are more durable, legitimate, and effective when built through partnerships. Countries such as Canada, Finland, and New Zealand leverage civil society to reshape healthcare,… [Read More]
Small but Mighty: 5 Lessons from Small Teams Delivering High-Quality Palliative Care
High-quality palliative care is not determined by the size of a program or the scale of its budget, but by consistency, collaboration, and a shared commitment to patients and families. Across the United States, smaller palliative care programs are demonstrating how focused teamwork, intentional training, and clear priorities can deliver meaningful, high-quality care even with… [Read More]
Q&A: How Community Foundations Are Strengthening Climate Resilience
As climate risks escalate and federal funding becomes less predictable, community foundations are increasingly stepping in as anchors for locally driven climate resilience efforts. Rooted deeply in their regions, these institutions bring long-term commitment, trusted relationships, and flexible financial tools that enable climate solutions tailored to local needs. Their longevity and place-based focus allow them… [Read More]
Building the Local Ecosystem for Clean Energy Lending: Strategies for Sustainable Finance
Over the past year, community climate finance in the United States has faced significant disruption, driven by broader challenges affecting community development financial institutions and the freezing of key federal funding streams, including the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. To understand how these shifts are affecting lenders on the ground, The Kresge Foundation and Climate Impact… [Read More]
Can Teachers Drive Digital Transformation? The Bahamas Shows How
The Bahamas is emerging as a regional leader in digital transformation in education, driven by a strong national commitment to improving digital literacy and modernizing learning systems. Key initiatives include the establishment of a Digital Transformation Unit and strategic partnerships with the University of The Bahamas and the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. Through these… [Read More]
Oklahoma City Workforce Commits $613,312 in Charitable Giving to Community Causes
City of Oklahoma City employees demonstrated strong community spirit by pledging more than $613,000 to local charities through the 2025 Heart of the City charitable giving campaign. The annual workplace initiative brings employees together to support residents in need through contributions to organizations that provide essential services such as food assistance, housing support, healthcare, arts,… [Read More]
Mirova Gigaton Fund: Scaling Climate Solutions While Integrating Gender Finance
More than 675 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, with the majority living in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the continent’s vast renewable energy potential. As solar power becomes one of the most affordable energy sources globally, distributed renewable solutions such as mini-grids, agri-solar systems, and commercial and industrial installations present a viable pathway to… [Read More]
Bolivia Boosts MSMEs Through Inclusive Innovation Initiatives
Micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) account for nearly 70% of employment and contribute 25% to Bolivia’s GDP, yet they continue to face challenges including informality, limited access to financing, and constrained innovation capacity. Addressing these barriers is essential for unlocking inclusive and resilient growth opportunities for the country’s MSME sector. As part of the… [Read More]
West Bank Camp Faces New Demolition Order, Escalating Humanitarian Concerns
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has released its first comprehensive report on collective bargaining in Serbia’s private sector, highlighting significant opportunities for growth and improvement. Currently, only 13 percent of private companies in Serbia have collective agreements, yet those that do experience clear benefits, including improved communication, predictability, and workplace harmony. Collective bargaining is the… [Read More]
West Bank Camp Faces New Demolition Order, Escalating Humanitarian Concerns
Some 25 buildings in a West Bank camp face imminent demolition starting on 18 December, threatening hundreds of forcibly displaced Palestinians, according to Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs for the occupied West Bank. Satellite imagery indicates that nearly half of all buildings in the camp, 48 percent, had already been damaged or destroyed before… [Read More]
