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The federal government of Pakistan is implementing several initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s social protection system, expanding economic opportunities and supporting marginalized communities. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmed Shah, highlighted these efforts while presiding over a meeting with civil society organisations in Islamabad to review the progress of… [Read More]

Akron Community Foundation’s board of directors has announced quarterly grants totaling $4.4 million, along with $695,500 in competitive education grants approved by the foundation’s Community Investment Committee. A total of 37 nonprofit organizations received education-related funding aimed at supporting programs that strengthen learning opportunities, youth development and early childhood education in the community. One of… [Read More]

At the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, discussions about the future of artificial intelligence, connectivity, and digital transformation highlighted the growing importance of digital public infrastructure (DPI). While many presentations focused on emerging technologies such as AI-powered devices and advanced computing, policymakers increasingly focused on how digital systems that support public services are evolving… [Read More]

Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, has launched the new Reconciliation Fund Strategy for 2026–2029 during an event in Belfast attended by civil society and cross-community organisations. The Reconciliation Fund provides grants to community groups working to strengthen relationships between traditions in Northern Ireland, promote cooperation between North and South, and foster… [Read More]

A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that violence and harassment in the workplace remain widespread in parts of West Africa. According to the study, 65 percent of workers in Senegal and 58 percent in Côte d’Ivoire report having experienced violence or harassment at work, while 43 percent of workers in Burkina… [Read More]

Japan and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a new food assistance agreement worth JPY 200 million (approximately US$1.32 million) to support food and nutrition programmes in Guinea-Bissau. The agreement, signed by the Embassy of Japan in Dakar and WFP, will help sustain critical nutrition and school feeding initiatives aimed at vulnerable… [Read More]

Across Asia and the Pacific, climate change is intensifying existing social and economic inequalities, particularly for women. Often described as a “threat multiplier,” climate change worsens vulnerabilities during disasters, where women face additional challenges due to restricted mobility, heavy unpaid care responsibilities, and limited access to land, credit, and financial resources. These barriers reduce their… [Read More]

UK-based AI infrastructure company Nscale has raised $2 billion in a Series C funding round, marking the largest investment round in European history. The funding values the company at $14.6 billion and was led by Aker ASA and 8090 Industries, with participation from major technology and investment firms including Nvidia, Dell, Citadel, and Nokia. The… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that millions of displaced and migrant women and girls around the world continue to lack access to safe and adequate shelter, increasing their exposure to violence, exploitation, and exclusion from essential services. Marking International Women’s Day, the organisation urged governments and partners to increase investment in gender-responsive… [Read More]

The ACT Alliance humanitarian mechanism operates through two key components designed to respond to emergencies, conflicts, and natural disasters. One component is the appeals system, which supports large-scale humanitarian crises such as major earthquakes, wars, or typhoons. The second is the Rapid Response Fund (RRF), which allows national ACT members to quickly access funding to… [Read More]

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced an additional £9 million investment to support victims and survivors of violence against women and girls across the capital. The funding aims to strengthen specialist support services and help survivors rebuild their lives with greater safety, dignity, and independence. The funding package includes £6 million for a… [Read More]

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a $150 million loan to PT Link Net Tbk (Linknet) to strengthen digital infrastructure in Indonesia and improve broadband quality across the country. The financing will support the expansion of Linknet’s fiber broadband services and enhance the company’s operational stability, enabling further investments in the fiber broadband market… [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has launched a five-year “Sow and Grow” project in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka. Backed by funding of USD 10 million, the initiative aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Thriposha programme by increasing the production of high-quality local… [Read More]

A second Royal Commission of Inquiry into New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has released an extensive report spanning several volumes and hundreds of pages. Commissioned by the coalition government, the inquiry examined key decisions made between 2021 and 2022, particularly those related to vaccine mandates, lockdown measures, and testing systems. During this period,… [Read More]

Earlier this year, the team at Harmonic Financial Planning conducted an unusual site visit in Iceland, standing on volcanic rock beside the massive industrial fans of the Mammoth plant. Located in the Hellisheiði Energy Park and operated by Swiss cleantech company Climeworks, Mammoth is currently the world’s largest Direct Air Capture and Storage facility. Its… [Read More]

European programmes under the Investment for Jobs and Growth goal are increasingly exploring how cooperation actions can help address shared regional challenges more effectively. Through exchanges facilitated by the Interact programme, managing authorities, policymakers, and practitioners are coming together to share experiences and discuss how cooperation can complement mainstream regional funding. A recent exchange held… [Read More]

The venture capital ecosystem is actively discussing “Project Europe,” a €10 million founder-led initiative designed to support the next generation of young entrepreneurs across Europe. The program has attracted attention from investors, startup founders, and industry experts because of its focus on funding and mentoring founders under the age of 25. While many view the… [Read More]

In Madagascar’s coastal villages, women trained through the Barefoot College National Programme, with support from WWF, are bringing solar-powered light to remote stilted homes, transforming both living conditions and opportunities for communities. In villages like Andavoanemboka, families live above rising tides in wooden huts, relying on mangroves for protection against flooding and storms. Solar technicians… [Read More]

Faith-based health providers in Africa are adapting to major shifts in global aid, with leaders in Kenya and Zambia highlighting both challenges and opportunities arising from changes in U.S. foreign assistance. Recent policy shifts under the Trump administration, including deep cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), accelerated a transition toward locally… [Read More]

On International Women’s Day 2026, UNESCO highlighted how literacy initiatives are empowering women and girls, demonstrating that education can be a powerful pathway to gender equality. The theme of this year’s celebration, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL women and girls,” emphasizes ensuring that women and girls have the right to learn, express themselves freely, access… [Read More]

The UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education 2026 is now accepting nominations for initiatives that drive transformative change in education for girls and women. Despite decades of progress, 133 million girls remain out of school and women still account for nearly two-thirds of all adults who cannot read. Barriers such as gender norms, cultural… [Read More]

The side event “Building a Culture of Preparedness for a Sustainable Future for All” held during the 13th Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development focused on the critical role of schools in disaster preparedness. Organized by UNDP and the Government of Japan in collaboration with ESCAP, UNESCO, UNESCO-IOC, and JICA, the event highlighted how schools serve… [Read More]

The WHO Foundation has announced a collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company to strengthen global health systems for obesity prevention and care. The initiative aims to assess gaps in healthcare systems and develop sustainable, equitable approaches to obesity management, particularly in resource-limited settings. Obesity is a growing global health crisis, with over 2.5 billion adults… [Read More]