India has introduced further restrictions on foreign funding for non-governmental organizations through amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), drawing strong criticism from civil society groups and minority institutions. A key provision in the 2026 amendment is the creation of a government-appointed “Designated Authority” that can take provisional control of foreign contributions and assets… [Read More]
UNDP Launches E-Course on Sovereign Credit Ratings for African Officials
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the UN System Staff College, has launched a specialized e-course aimed at strengthening the understanding of sovereign credit ratings among African government officials. The course, developed under UNDP’s Africa Credit Ratings Initiative and hosted on the UNSSC’s UN Learn platform, is designed to provide practical, policy-focused… [Read More]
UNDP Training Helps Pryluky Community Attract UAH 160 Million for Local Development
The United Nations Development Programme, with support from the Japan, has helped the Pryluky City Territorial Community in Chernihiv Oblast secure UAH 160 million in funding after completing project management training under a pilot initiative on local recovery planning. The training enabled local institutions, including the municipal enterprise “Posluha” and the Pryluky Local History Museum,… [Read More]
UN Digital Readiness Toolkit Supports Human Rights Institutions in Safe Digital Transformation
The Digital Readiness Toolkit for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) provides a structured and practical framework to help institutions navigate digital transformation while upholding human rights principles. Developed to support institutions at different stages of digital maturity, the toolkit emphasizes that technology should enhance—not compromise—human dignity, inclusion, transparency, and accountability. At its core, the toolkit… [Read More]
UNESCO Expands We Are ABLE Project to Promote Inclusive STEAM Education in Vietnam
UNESCO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Training, Hanoi National University of Education, and CJ Group, has launched a new phase of its We Are ABLE initiative to advance gender-transformative STEAM education in Vietnam. The launch event, held on 24 March, brought together around 1,000 participants, including educators, students, policymakers, and development partners… [Read More]
CDB Approves $10 Million Credit Line to Boost SMEs in Trinidad and Tobago
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a US$10 million line of credit to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Trinidad and Tobago. The financing was endorsed during the Bank’s 313th Board meeting held in Barbados on March 26, 2026, and forms part of the Fourth Agricultural and Industrial Line… [Read More]
Peru Secures $37.5M Climate Fund Boost to Protect Amazon and Indigenous Communities
Peru has secured a major funding boost of $37.5 million from the Green Climate Fund to strengthen conservation and climate resilience efforts across the Peruvian Amazon. The funding supports the “Peru’s Natural Legacy – Amazon & Climate” initiative, a broader $74.5 million programme that includes co-financing contributions. The project aims to enhance climate mitigation and… [Read More]
Southern Water Opens Funding for Business Water-Saving Projects
Businesses across Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight are being invited to apply for funding to support innovative water-saving projects through the Business Partnership Fund. Launched by Southern Water, the fund aims to help businesses, retailers and conservation providers reduce water usage and lower costs. The latest application window opened on 1 April… [Read More]
IOM Funds Youth-Led Climate Mobility Projects in Kenya and Burundi
The International Organization for Migration has selected two youth-led organizations in Kenya and Burundi to implement local climate mobility solutions, each receiving grants of $15,000 to support community-based initiatives. The funding is part of the Accelerating Youth-Led Action in Addressing Climate Mobility in Africa programme, implemented under the Climate Change and Migration Data Programme (CCMD)… [Read More]
UK Expands £500M Innovation Fund to Seven New Regions
The United Kingdom has announced seven new regions set to benefit from its £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF), aimed at boosting regional economies, creating jobs, and accelerating innovation across key industries. Delivered by UK Research and Innovation, the fund will provide up to £20 million for each selected region to support collaboration between… [Read More]
$50M Climate Fund Boosts Jamaica’s Farm Resilience with FAO Support
The Green Climate Fund has approved a $50 million project, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization, to strengthen climate resilience among smallholder farmers in Jamaica. The initiative, titled ADAPT Jamaica, focuses on helping vulnerable farming communities cope with increasing climate risks such as stronger hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and erratic rainfall. These challenges have already… [Read More]
FAO and Flanders Launch $1M Project to Support Farmers in War-Hit Mykolaivska
The Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of Flanders have launched a $1 million initiative to support farmers and rural communities in Mykolaivska oblast, one of the areas most affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The project aims to restore agricultural production, rehabilitate war-damaged land, and strengthen the resilience of rural households and… [Read More]
FAO Expands Cash Support to Gaza Farmers, Urges Input Import Liberalization
The Food and Agriculture Organization has expanded its conditional cash assistance programme in the Gaza Strip to support an additional 1,000 farmers, aiming to revive local crop production and strengthen food security amid ongoing constraints on agricultural inputs. Through this initiative, FAO estimates that the supported farmers could produce around 5,000 metric tonnes of vegetables—enough… [Read More]
Eastern Africa Sets Roadmap to Accelerate Agrifood Systems Transformation
Countries across Eastern Africa have outlined a renewed roadmap to accelerate agrifood systems transformation, focusing on innovation, incentives, and stronger institutional coordination to address persistent food security challenges. At a regional meeting convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization, participants from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda reviewed progress and agreed on strategies to strengthen food… [Read More]
WHO Cyprus Initiative Delivers First Emergency Aid Shipment to Gaza
The World Health Organization has successfully delivered its first shipment of emergency nutrition supplies to Gaza through its Humanitarian Bridge Initiative based in Cyprus, marking a key milestone in improving humanitarian access to the conflict-affected region. The initiative, led by WHO/Europe in coordination with its offices in Cyprus and the occupied Palestinian territories, enabled the… [Read More]
Ghana Targets High-Risk Districts to Strengthen Cholera Prevention
Ghana has taken a major step in combating cholera by identifying high-risk districts for targeted interventions aimed at preventing and controlling the disease. The initiative was carried out in March 2026 with technical support from the World Health Organization and funding from the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, in alignment with global efforts to… [Read More]
Ghana Strengthens Health Security with NAPHS Prioritisation Workshop
Ghana has taken a significant step toward improving its health security with the completion of a National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS) prioritisation workshop. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, brought together multiple government bodies and partners to identify key actions for strengthening the country’s ability to… [Read More]
Burkina Faso Conflict: Report Accuses All Sides of War Crimes and Ethnic Cleansing
A new report by Human Rights Watch has revealed widespread atrocities in Burkina Faso, accusing government forces, allied militias, and an Al Qaeda-linked armed group of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the ethnic cleansing of Fulani communities. According to the report, more than 1,800 civilians have been killed and tens of thousands… [Read More]
EU “Digital Omnibus” Plans Raise Concerns Over AI, Privacy, and Human Rights
Proposals by the European Commission to “simplify” digital regulations have sparked concerns among rights groups, who warn that the changes could weaken key protections and expand access to personal data for artificial intelligence systems. Unveiled in late 2025, the so-called Digital Omnibus package aims to revise major frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation… [Read More]
EU Urged to Act After Israel Approves Controversial Death Penalty Law
Human rights and humanitarian organizations have strongly condemned a new law approved by the Knesset, warning that it expands the use of the death penalty in a way that could disproportionately affect Palestinians and undermine fundamental legal safeguards. The legislation, passed on 30 March, broadens the application of capital punishment in both military and civilian… [Read More]
Guterres Warns of Wider War as Middle East Conflict Escalates
The escalating conflict in the Middle East has entered its second month, prompting António Guterres to warn that the world is “on the edge of a wider war” with potentially catastrophic global consequences. Speaking outside the United Nations Security Council in New York, Guterres described a rapidly worsening situation as Israel and the United States… [Read More]
Global Crisis Update: South Sudan Rights, WHO Opioid Guidelines, DR Congo Violence
A series of urgent global developments highlights escalating humanitarian and health challenges, from worsening human rights conditions in South Sudan to updated opioid treatment guidelines and continued violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Independent experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council have warned that South Sudan is facing a rapidly deteriorating human… [Read More]
Lao Businesses Prepare for LDC Graduation Amid Trade and Market Changes
A planning meeting between the International Labour Organization and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vientiane has focused on preparing Lao enterprises for the country’s upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. The discussions highlighted the challenges and opportunities that businesses in Laos will face as global trade conditions… [Read More]
