Zambian smallholder cotton farmers in Magoye and Ngwezi have doubled their yields and incomes through climate-smart techniques introduced by a partnership between the European Union, African, Caribbean and Pacific states (ACP), and the International Trade Centre (ITC). Before 2021, these farmers struggled with declining yields, degraded soils, and limited access to sustainable practices. Now, they… [Read More]
cat
EU Approves €3.2 Billion Disbursement to Boost Ukraine’s Recovery and Reform Efforts
Ukraine will receive over €3.2 billion in funding after the Council approved the fourth regular disbursement of support under the EU’s Ukraine Facility. The funds are intended to strengthen Ukraine’s macro-financial stability and ensure the continued functioning of its public administration. This financial assistance is tied to the Ukraine Plan, which details the country’s strategy… [Read More]
World Bank Approves $650M to Boost Istanbul’s Disaster Resilience
The World Bank has approved a $650 million loan to finance the Istanbul Resilience Project, an initiative designed to strengthen the city’s preparedness and response to disasters and climate risks. As Türkiye’s largest city, generating nearly a third of the national GDP and home to more than 15 million people, Istanbul’s vulnerability to earthquakes and… [Read More]
World Bank OKs $150M to Boost Paraguay’s Private Investment
The World Bank Group has approved US$150 million in financing for Paraguay to enhance the business environment, boost private investment, and promote job creation. The Development Policy Loan will focus on implementing reforms to reduce barriers for business entry and growth while promoting public-private partnerships to support long-term development. The initiative aims to help micro,… [Read More]
Cholera Outbreak in Chad’s Refugee Camps Puts Sudanese Displaced at Severe Risk
A cholera outbreak has struck the Dougui refugee settlement in eastern Chad, where Sudanese refugees from Darfur are sheltering, causing 264 reported cases and 12 deaths as of early August. Additional suspected cases have appeared in the Treguine settlement and along border locations, which host a significant portion of new arrivals. In Adre, the largest… [Read More]
AfDB Boosts Zambia’s Private Sector Growth
The African Development Bank (AfDB) reinforced its commitment to Zambia’s private sector-led growth by hosting a strategic side event during the inaugural Invest in Zambia International Conference. Themed “Catalyzing Private Sector Growth: Unlocking AfDB’s Financing Toolkit in Zambia,” the session brought together private companies, financial institutions, development partners, and government officials to explore opportunities for… [Read More]
AfDB Grants $5.3M to Boost PPPs in Four African Nations
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $5.3 million grant to support the Project to Strengthen the Public-Private Partnership Environment for the Promotion of Private Investment in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, and Togo. Approved in Abidjan on 27 June 2025, the project will be financed through the Bank’s Transition Support Facility,… [Read More]
Ireland Announces €696 Million Housing Boost to Deliver 4,600 Homes and Revitalize Vacant Properties
The Irish Government has approved an additional €696 million in capital funding to support housing delivery and community-level housing initiatives. The funding, announced by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, will facilitate the creation of 4,600 new social and affordable homes, the reactivation of vacant housing stock, efforts to tackle homelessness,… [Read More]
AI, Climate Action, and Indigenous Leadership: UNDP Honors 2025 Equator Prize Winners
Indigenous Peoples, numbering around 476 million across 90 countries and representing 5,000 cultures, face unique challenges and opportunities in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Without proper safeguards, AI risks exacerbating inequalities by harming Indigenous rights, worsening environmental damage, and reinforcing harmful colonial legacies. The energy-intensive nature of AI infrastructure, particularly data centres located near… [Read More]
Sri Lanka Launches ILO-Japan Initiative to Expand Social Protection for All Workers
A new International Labour Organization (ILO) initiative has been launched in Sri Lanka to address social protection gaps and extend coverage to both formal and informal workers, including those in the care economy. Funded by the Government of Japan under the “Promoting and Building Social Protection in South Asia” programme, the Sri Lankan component was… [Read More]
Empowering Climate Action in Kenya: Youth-Led Solutions for Resilience and Sustainability
Growing up in Kenya, the author witnessed firsthand how environmental changes directly affect livelihoods, food security, and community well-being. Unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events have caused climate-induced displacement, forcing many families to abandon their homes. A personal encounter with a young farmer in Kajiado, whose family lost all their livestock to drought,… [Read More]
From Amazon Farms to Digital Inclusion: Indigenous Innovations in Latin America
In Bolivia’s Amazon region, a transformative programme is blending indigenous farming traditions with modern strategies to address climate change. Targeting over 6,000 indigenous women and youth in 14 vulnerable municipalities, the initiative enhances agricultural productivity, connects producers to markets, and supports sustainable enterprises through Amazonian fruit value chains. Backed by a potential US$23 million IFAD… [Read More]
Kenya Declared Free of Sleeping Sickness by WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated Kenya as having eliminated human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, as a public health problem, making it the tenth country to achieve this milestone. This is the second neglected tropical disease (NTD) Kenya has eliminated, following the certification of Guinea worm disease eradication in 2018…. [Read More]
National Network for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Launched
The European Commission has intensified its efforts to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation by focusing on prevention as a critical strategy to stop such crimes before they happen. Statistics highlight the urgency: at least one in five children experiences sexual violence during childhood, and the problem has worsened dramatically in the digital space. In… [Read More]
Canada Invests in New Brunswick to Strengthen Critical Mineral Supply Chains
The Canadian government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the critical minerals sector by announcing a significant investment in New Brunswick. Recognizing the essential role that critical minerals play in modern technologies, clean energy, and national security, Canada aims to strengthen its position as a global leader in the responsible supply of these resources. Through… [Read More]
CSR Completes Solar Electrification Project for 260 Rural Homes
The Royal Rajasthan Foundation (RRF), the social equity arm of the Rajasthan Royals cricket franchise, has successfully completed training four solar engineers and electrifying 260 rural homes through solar power under its flagship campaign, Pink Promise. This initiative leverages the popularity of cricket to promote women-led transformation in rural Rajasthan and other regions. Supported by… [Read More]
Xiaomi India Launches Eco-Village Initiative to Promote Sustainable Rural Development
Xiaomi India has launched its Eco-Village initiative, a flagship rural development program designed to foster sustainable transformation through community-driven and technology-enabled efforts. The program is being carried out in collaboration with Shri Mahakal Education and Charitable Trust (BharatCares) and will start with pilot projects in two villages: K. Palasandra in Tumakuru and Sonnenahalli near Bengaluru…. [Read More]
HHS Ends mRNA Vaccine Development Program Under BARDA
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the start of a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development efforts under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This process includes canceling and scaling back several contracts and solicitations following a thorough review of mRNA-related investments made during the COVID-19 public… [Read More]
Maharashtra Launches Chief Minister’s Mega Fund to Empower Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Maharashtra government plans to shortlist 5 lakh candidates from a large pool of technically educated youth through AI-based evaluations, competitive exams, hackathons, and other assessments. From these, 1 lakh candidates will be selected, and eventually, 25,000 individuals will receive comprehensive support—including technical guidance, financial aid, and training—with the goal of nurturing them into successful… [Read More]
Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin Mark Three Years of Partnership for Petersburg
Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin marked three years of the Partnership for Petersburg with a celebration at the historic Petersburg Public Library, joined by local officials including Mayor Sam Parham and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. The partnership, launched in August 2022, brings together state, local, community, and faith leaders to improve… [Read More]
DHS Launches $100M+ Funding Program to Boost Community Cybersecurity Defenses
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have announced the availability of over $100 million in grant funding aimed at enhancing cybersecurity across communities. This funding opportunity consists of two separate grants designed to support different government levels in improving their cyber defense capabilities. The Fiscal Year 2025… [Read More]
UNITAR and Hiroshima Dragonflies Renew Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Cooperation
On 6 August 2025, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Hiroshima Dragonflies Corporation, a professional basketball team in Japan, signed a renewed memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen their collaboration. The agreement, signed by Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UNITAR, and Nobuyoshi Ura,… [Read More]
FEMA Announces $40 Million Funding to Improve Emergency Public Notifications for States and Tribal Nations
FEMA is announcing the availability of $40 million through the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program (NGWSGP) to support states and Tribal Nations. This funding aims to identify gaps and implement solutions for delivering timely public emergency alerts and protecting critical infrastructure. Recipients will collaborate with FEMA to explore flexible, innovative technologies compatible with the… [Read More]
