The Asian Development Bank’s Asian Development Outlook (April 2026) projects a sharp slowdown in Maldives’ economic growth due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting tourism, raising energy costs, and tightening fiscal and external buffers. Growth is expected to fall significantly to 1.0% in 2026 from 5.4% in 2025, before gradually… [Read More]

The Tropical Andes Fund has demonstrated how community-led approaches can drive meaningful progress in conservation and land rights across Latin America. Between 2022 and 2025, the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), and Campaign for Nature supported 76 projects across Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia with funding from the… [Read More]

Morgan Stanley is driving meaningful change in India by investing in community development through strategic partnerships focused on education, healthcare, water conservation, and disaster relief. Since the introduction of India’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) law in 2014, which mandates eligible companies to allocate 2% of their average net profits toward social initiatives, the firm has… [Read More]

Texas faces a wide array of climate threats, from extreme heat and flash floods to wildfires, severe storms, and hurricanes, making it one of the most climate-vulnerable states in the U.S. In South Central Texas, communities, local governments, and businesses are proactively addressing these risks rather than waiting for the next disaster. The recent third… [Read More]

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana are increasingly seeking ways to sustain their work amid declining traditional donor funding, with sector leaders highlighting crowdfunding and strong community trust as key to long-term resilience. This discussion was central to the second session of the CSO Sustainability Webinar Series, held on 19 March 2026 and organised by… [Read More]

In the Taoudenni region of northern Mali, nomadic pastoralist communities live in a harsh desert environment, moving regularly in search of grass and water for their herds. This mobility defines their identity and sustains their livelihoods. The region, located near the Algerian border and known for its ancient salt mines, faces multiple conflicts that displace… [Read More]

Public health institutions around the world are increasingly under threat from populist governments that strip funding, undermine independence, and fuel disinformation. In countries from Hungary to Indonesia, this erosion of trust in scientific expertise has contributed to the resurgence of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. The United States has experienced similar challenges, with… [Read More]

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face some of the most acute impacts of the global climate crisis, confronting a mix of environmental, economic, and institutional challenges that threaten their sustainable development. Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, these countries have shown strong climate ambition through their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris… [Read More]

Boulder County has awarded $2 million in emergency Community Partnership Grant funding to eight local nonprofits to support residents affected by federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. The grants aim to strengthen food and health care access for community members facing increased health care costs and reduced eligibility for essential benefits. The emergency funding was… [Read More]

As the Middle East conflict disrupts key maritime routes and ports, essential commodities like food, fuel, and fertilizer are becoming increasingly expensive. WFP Shipping Chief Henrik Hansen explains that the organization is working around the clock to reduce rising costs, shorten transit times, and implement creative transport solutions to deliver aid to millions of vulnerable… [Read More]

In 2018, Richmond voters approved Measures E and K, also known as the Richmond Kids First Initiative, which established the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth (RFCY). The fund sets aside 3% of the city’s general fund to support programs and services for youths from birth to age 24. It also created the Richmond Department… [Read More]

During a visit to Beirut, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot announced additional funding to support Lebanon amid rising regional conflict. Belgium has released €2 million for short-term humanitarian aid, supplementing the €2 million already allocated for 2026. An extra €2 million will be directed through UN agencies to strengthen Lebanese authorities’ capacity to provide essential… [Read More]

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has opened applications for Fiscal Year 2026 Cycle 2 of the Going PRO Talent Fund, offering approximately $6 million in training grants to help local businesses close skill gaps and strengthen the state’s workforce. Michigan businesses have until April 24, 2026, to apply through their local… [Read More]

Nepal and the Philippines recently engaged in a high-level exchange to share experiences and best practices in addressing climate risks, despite being geographically distant. The dialogue focused on how each country could adopt proven systems and approaches from the other, enabling them to accelerate climate action without repeating trial-and-error processes. The discussions emphasized national climate… [Read More]

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) welcomed the outcomes of the One Health Summit held in Lyon, France, as a defining moment for the continent’s role in global health. African leaders, including H.E. John Mahama and H.E. Duma Boko, ensured that Africa’s priorities under the Africa Health Security and Sovereignty (AHSS)… [Read More]

The European Commission has announced a €700 million pledge to the Global Fund, reinforcing the EU’s role as a key player in global health financing. Unveiled by Commissioner Jozef Síkela at the One Health Summit in Lyon, the commitment is part of a wider effort to combat infectious diseases and strengthen health systems worldwide. Alongside… [Read More]

DBS Foundation has announced SGD 4.9 million in grant funding for its 2025 cohort of 22 social enterprises and small-and-medium enterprises across Asia, marking the 11th edition of its grant programme. Since its launch in 2015, the programme has supported purpose-driven businesses tackling pressing societal challenges through innovative and scalable solutions. Beyond funding of up… [Read More]

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has announced nearly €500,000 in funding for ten youth-led climate justice projects across Ireland in 2026. The initiative forms part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people to take a leadership role in climate action within their communities. The projects include both national and regional initiatives,… [Read More]

A new International Labour Organization (ILO) report has called for stronger protections and reforms in Pacific labour migration schemes, emphasizing measures such as reducing migration costs, allowing easier employer changes, and expanding healthcare access for migrant workers. The report, Temporary labour migration schemes in the Pacific through the lens of international human rights and labour… [Read More]

In partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco and the Moroccan Federation for Cultural and Creative Industries (FICC), IFC has launched a strategic analysis of Morocco’s creative and cultural industries (CCIs), highlighting their economic significance, growth potential, and key development drivers. The report, Assessment of the Creative and Cultural Industries in Morocco: Market Challenges, Opportunities, and… [Read More]

The Israeli military conducted a massive wave of airstrikes across Lebanon, hitting 100 sites within just ten minutes. This operation, described by Israel as its largest coordinated attack, struck areas including south Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, and central Beirut, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries. Hospitals were quickly overwhelmed, issuing urgent calls for blood… [Read More]

Children who remain in school longer and achieve higher educational outcomes generally earn better wages and have improved employment prospects as adults. Researchers have begun to explore whether similar long-term benefits extend to those who receive childhood vaccinations. Evidence from Burkina Faso suggests they do. By analyzing differences in vaccination coverage across regions and birth… [Read More]

On World Health Day 2026, Nigeria marked the theme “Together for health. Stand with science” by highlighting how evidence-based approaches are driving improvements in public health across the country. Central to this effort is the implementation of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), which ensures that scientific evidence informs policy, disease prevention, early… [Read More]