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Ukrainian communities are currently facing an extremely difficult situation due to ongoing attacks by the Russian Federation, compounded by a severe energy crisis. Urgent technical assistance from international partners could help protect civilians from the devastating consequences of these attacks. In coordination with the Permanent Representation of Ukraine to the Council of Europe and in… [Read More]

Camvert and local stakeholders in Campo held a two-day evaluation workshop in Kribi at the end of January 2026 to assess progress on social commitments linked to the oil palm agro-industrial project launched in 2021. The meeting brought together administrative authorities, community representatives and local elites to review the 2025 action plan and validate the… [Read More]

Civil society plays a central role in shaping Europe’s democratic future and is essential to the success of the New Democratic Pact for Europe, Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset said at the opening of an international conference in Strasbourg on 2 February 2026. Addressing participants, he emphasized that democracy depends not only on… [Read More]

More than £16 million has been awarded to over 100 organisations across the United Kingdom in the latest funding round announced in January 2026. The capital funding supports a wide range of projects with a primary focus on research, education, health, disability services, and cultural infrastructure, reaching communities from Scotland and Wales to Northern Ireland… [Read More]

The Swiss National Science Foundation has announced adjustments to its project funding scheme in response to a sharp rise in grant applications and increasingly constrained financial resources. The revised measures aim to preserve fair access to funding for researchers while safeguarding the quality of evaluations. These changes will apply to all proposals submitted by the… [Read More]

The German Research Foundation’s Permanent Senate Commission on the Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems has called for stronger political support to promote diversified cropping systems as a foundation for more sustainable and crisis-resilient agriculture. In its first official position paper, the Commission highlights the urgent need for long-term research programmes and adapted policy frameworks… [Read More]

The World Health Organization has launched its 2026 global emergency appeal to ensure that millions of people living in humanitarian crises and conflict settings can access essential health care. Building on its 2025 response, WHO and its partners supported 30 million people through emergency funding, delivering life-saving vaccinations to millions of children, enabling tens of… [Read More]

The United Nations Development Programme, working in partnership with national and local self-government authorities, has been advancing regional development, improving the investment climate, and expanding meaningful youth participation in the Kyrgyz Republic. In 2025, UNDP-supported initiatives contributed to the establishment and strengthening of sustainable mechanisms across investment planning, youth infrastructure, entrepreneurship, the creative economy, trade… [Read More]

UNDP, in partnership with the Export Development and Promotion Center “Kyrgyz Export” under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, has launched the nationwide information and training campaign “Export Caravan 2026.” Running from 1 to 13 February 2026, the initiative aims to equip regional businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to… [Read More]

The SANAC Civil Society Forum Children’s Sector has expressed deep sorrow and outrage following a tragic scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark on 19 January 2026 that claimed the lives of 12 children on their way to school. The Sector conveyed its condolences to the affected families and communities, emphasizing that the incident represents a devastating… [Read More]

The OPEC Fund for International Development has approved a €15 million loan to Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo to strengthen access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises across the country. The operation aims to address long-standing credit constraints faced by local businesses, particularly smaller firms and women-owned enterprises, and marks the OPEC Fund’s first private sector… [Read More]

Acumen has announced that its Hardest-to-Reach Initiative has successfully reached its target raise of $250 million in blended capital, marking a major milestone in efforts to expand clean energy access across sub-Saharan Africa. The achievement includes the final close of H2R Amplify, the initiative’s scale-focused debt fund, which closed at $180 million with additional grant… [Read More]

The United States and the African Union have jointly announced the launch of a Strategic Infrastructure and Investment Working Group, marking a significant step in strengthening U.S.–Africa economic relations. The initiative was agreed during a meeting in Addis Ababa between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf,… [Read More]

The article connects decent job creation with trade readiness, showing how inclusive agricultural systems improve both livelihoods and market competitiveness. When farmers, especially women and youth, gain access to training, finance, and markets, they not only increase income but also produce higher-quality goods that meet international standards. This integration of development and trade supports Canadian… [Read More]

Pakistani authorities intensified their suppression of free expression, political opposition, and civil society throughout 2025 by relying on vague and overbroad laws, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026. The organization warned that these measures violate Pakistan’s international human rights obligations and have created a climate of fear for journalists, activists, and independent… [Read More]

Nepal experienced widespread unrest and political upheaval in 2025 after police killed at least 19 protesters during demonstrations against corruption, inequality, and a proposed social media ban, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026. The September protests, marked by disorder and arson, ultimately led to the collapse of the government. An interim government,… [Read More]

Thailand’s government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has failed to meaningfully improve the country’s human rights situation, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026. Despite expectations that a new administration would reverse years of repression following military rule, longstanding abuses have continued, raising concerns ahead of the national election scheduled for February 8,… [Read More]

European Union institutions and member states are failing to uphold human rights in ways that undermine democracy, the rule of law, and rights protections both within the bloc and internationally, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026. The report argues that inconsistent commitment to human rights has weakened the EU’s core values and… [Read More]

The UK Labour government repeatedly undermined human rights during its first full year in power in 2025, according to Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2026. The report presents a critical assessment of the government’s domestic and foreign policies, concluding that they contributed to democratic backsliding, restrictions on civil liberties, and a failure to protect vulnerable… [Read More]

Civilians in Ukraine continued to face grave conflict-related abuses in 2025, as increasingly targeted and indiscriminate Russian attacks led to rising civilian deaths, injuries, and widespread destruction, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026. The report found that millions of Ukrainians remain displaced inside the country and abroad, many struggling to access essential… [Read More]

Southern African governments committed serious human rights violations throughout 2025, reinforcing cycles of abuse and impunity, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026. The organization urged regional bodies to press governments to respect human rights and ensure accountability for violations. According to the report, security forces in Angola, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe used… [Read More]

WTO members have exchanged two new negotiating submissions on food and agriculture as efforts intensify to reach a compromise ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, scheduled for March. The submissions, presented by Indonesia and the African Group, were discussed during a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session on 30… [Read More]

Free Press Unlimited has announced the winners of the Free Press Awards 2025, recognising two journalists whose work exemplifies courage, resilience and commitment to the public interest under extreme pressure. AlMigdad Hassan from Sudan received the Newcomer of the Year – Hans Verploeg Award, while Azerbaijani journalist Ulviyya Guliyeva was honoured with the Most Resilient… [Read More]