The European Union has contributed €25 million through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to enhance community resilience and improve nutrition across Afghanistan. The funding targets vulnerable populations, including women, children, and rural communities, with a focus on strengthening agriculture and food value chains to promote health, economic stability, and protection against climate-related risks…. [Read More]
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Boosting Women’s Entrepreneurship in India: ADB Partners with Five-Star Business Finance
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $100 million loan agreement with Five-Star Business Finance Limited (FBFL) to expand access to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) loans for women borrowers from lower-income groups in India. This initiative, called the Five-Star Social Loan Improving Access to MSME Finance for Lower-Income Women Borrowers Project, aims… [Read More]
Lessons from Social Participation Case Studies in Pandemic Response: Insights from the WHO South-East Asia Region, 2025
Meaningful public engagement in health policy is gaining global recognition, reinforced by commitments in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage. These frameworks emphasize that people’s participation, including that of women, families, communities and civil society organizations, is central to effective health system governance. WHO contributes to… [Read More]
Career Insights: Four Key Lessons from a Decade in the Development Sector
After starting my career at Deloitte, I transitioned into the development sector by joining the Government of India as a Young Professional at the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. This role allowed me to draft, analyse, and refine policy notes under tight deadlines, giving me a steep learning curve and exposing me to… [Read More]
Grangemouth to Add 460 Jobs with New Government Funding Support
The Scottish Government has announced £8.5 million in funding to support the creation of up to 460 new jobs at the Grangemouth industrial cluster and surrounding area. This initiative aims to stimulate green investment, sustainable manufacturing, and local economic growth while supporting the just transition of the region’s workforce. A £1.5 million allocation from the… [Read More]
Givinga Launches Innovative Philanthropy Platform for Companies Ahead of 2026 Giving Rules
Givinga has launched its 2026-ready workplace philanthropy suite, designed to help companies, executives, and employees adapt to upcoming changes in charitable giving under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The suite equips organizations to navigate major tax reforms taking effect in 2026, including a universal charitable deduction, exclusions for Donor-Advised Funds, and new corporate… [Read More]
New U.S. Health Deal Brings $1.7 Billion Funding to Uganda
Uganda and the United States have signed a $2.3 billion bilateral health cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening Uganda’s health sector over the next five years. The plan falls under the Trump administration’s “America First Global Health Strategy,” which encourages low-income countries to gradually transition from aid dependence to self-reliance in combating infectious diseases. Under the… [Read More]
Norway Expands International Initiatives to Support LGBTQ+ Communities
Norway is increasing its support for organisations that advance LGBTQ+ rights, focusing on combating violence and discrimination. Norad has entered new agreements with the Norwegian organisation FRI and international actors including Front Line Defenders, Outright International, and Synergia to strengthen global efforts. In recent years, several countries have introduced laws that criminalise or restrict LGBTQ+… [Read More]
Saskatchewan Wildfire Recovery: Red Cross Offers Financial Support to Local Businesses and Nonprofits
The Canadian Red Cross has launched the Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program to aid recovery for those affected by the 2025 Saskatchewan wildfires. Backed by a $15 million funding commitment from the Government of Saskatchewan, the program provides $2,000 in financial assistance to eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organizations directly impacted by the… [Read More]
Charlotte Sees Major Changes as Policies and Funding Evolve
Last month, Charlotte experienced a dramatic federal immigration enforcement operation, “Operation Charlotte’s Web,” which deeply unsettled the city’s Hispanic community. Masked federal agents detained individuals in public spaces, creating widespread fear among residents, prompting businesses to close and students to stay home, and discouraging people from seeking medical care. Veteran journalist Rafael Prieto, a naturalized… [Read More]
15 Community Organizations Receive Seahawks Grants Across Six States
In celebration of their 50th season, the Seattle Seahawks awarded grant funding to 15 nonprofit organizations across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, and Alaska. The community grant program, created earlier this year, allows organizations to request up to $5,000 for projects and programs that align with the Seahawks Community values. A total of $50,000 in… [Read More]
COP30 Highlights: Essential Takeaways for the Urban Climate Agenda
At COP30 in Belém, UN-Habitat played a central role in advancing the urban climate agenda by convening the Fourth Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, co-hosting the Cities and Regions Hub, and supporting countries in aligning urban priorities with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Through high-level engagements, technical sessions, and new knowledge products, UN-Habitat… [Read More]
PAHO Highlights Financial Protection as Key to Achieving Universal Health in the Americas
On Universal Health Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emphasized the urgent need for countries in the Americas to strengthen public investment and financial protection mechanisms to achieve universal health. Nearly one third of total health expenditure in the region comes directly from households, well above the recommended 20% threshold, placing millions at risk… [Read More]
Grants Available in Moldova for Civic Participation and Digital Skills Projects
The EU-funded project INSPIRED Moldova has launched a call for proposals to provide financial support to civil society organisations (CSOs) to strengthen their strategic role in Moldova’s democratic development. The initiative aims to advance digital literacy, promote responsible online civic participation, and encourage safer and more informed use of digital technologies among young people and… [Read More]
£11.7 Million Government Fund Supports 80 Digital Skills and Inclusion Programs
The UK government has launched the £11.7 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, which will be distributed across 80 digital skills and support schemes to help those at risk of digital exclusion access online services. Funding is allocated across the UK, including Scotland (£764,020), Wales (£400,368), and Northern Ireland (£267,249), reflecting a nationwide effort to promote… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Boosts Sustainable Urban Projects in Xianning, PRC
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a CNY 1.07 billion ($150 million) loan to support low-carbon and climate-resilient urban development in Xianning Municipality, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China. The Hubei Xianning Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Urban Development Project aims to develop an efficient, smart, safe, and resilient transportation system and urban services in Xianning… [Read More]
New WHO Analysis Reaffirms Vaccines Are Not Linked to Autism
A new analysis by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has confirmed that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This conclusion reinforces WHO’s longstanding position that childhood vaccines, including those given during pregnancy, do not cause autism. Established in 1999, GACVS brings together… [Read More]
Pregnant Women in Ukraine Face Growing Health and Safety Risks
New data from the UN’s reproductive health agency (UNFPA) reveals a sharp rise in maternal health risks in Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year of conflict following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Florence Bauer, UNFPA’s regional director, highlighted a significant deterioration in maternal health, particularly in Kherson, a city on the Dnipro River facing near-daily shelling from… [Read More]
WFP Calls for Strengthened Disaster Preparedness as Hurricane Melissa Hits
Lola Castro, speaking from Port-au-Prince, emphasized the urgent need for continued support for Haiti and neighboring countries affected by Hurricane Melissa, including Jamaica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. The category 5 hurricane claimed over 80 lives and impacted roughly six million people, making it one of the most intense Atlantic storms on record. Haiti, already… [Read More]
DR Congo Violence Uproots 500,000 People, UN Warns of Regional Crisis
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over a surge in violence in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23) militia has advanced into several towns since 2 December. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the escalation risks undermining efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution of… [Read More]
UN-Led Alliance Promotes Dialogue to Address Global Divisions
On 14–15 December, Riyadh will host the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), bringing together governments, civil society, youth leaders, women peacebuilders, and media representatives. The Forum’s theme, “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity – Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World,” underscores… [Read More]
$150 Million Agreement Between African Development Bank and KCB Bank to Accelerate Green Finance in Kenya
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and KCB Bank Kenya Limited have signed a $150 million financing package aimed at supporting green finance and accelerating climate-smart investments, while enhancing KCB’s trade finance capacity within Kenya’s small business and corporate banking sector. The package includes a $100 million subordinated debt facility to strengthen KCB Kenya’s Tier… [Read More]
$76.3 Million Additional Financing from AfDB to Enhance Horn of Africa Transport Links
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved $76.37 million in additional financing for the Road Infrastructure Programme in Somalia, a central element of the Horn of Africa corridor project connecting Somalia, Djibouti, and Ethiopia. The funding package includes $49.16 million from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending… [Read More]
