In celebration of their 50th season, the Seattle Seahawks awarded grant funding to 15 nonprofit organizations across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, and Alaska. The community grant program, created earlier this year, allows organizations to request up to $5,000 for projects and programs that align with the Seahawks Community values. A total of $50,000 in… [Read More]
COP30 Highlights: Essential Takeaways for the Urban Climate Agenda
At COP30 in Belém, UN-Habitat played a central role in advancing the urban climate agenda by convening the Fourth Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, co-hosting the Cities and Regions Hub, and supporting countries in aligning urban priorities with their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Through high-level engagements, technical sessions, and new knowledge products, UN-Habitat… [Read More]
PAHO Highlights Financial Protection as Key to Achieving Universal Health in the Americas
On Universal Health Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emphasized the urgent need for countries in the Americas to strengthen public investment and financial protection mechanisms to achieve universal health. Nearly one third of total health expenditure in the region comes directly from households, well above the recommended 20% threshold, placing millions at risk… [Read More]
Grants Available in Moldova for Civic Participation and Digital Skills Projects
The EU-funded project INSPIRED Moldova has launched a call for proposals to provide financial support to civil society organisations (CSOs) to strengthen their strategic role in Moldova’s democratic development. The initiative aims to advance digital literacy, promote responsible online civic participation, and encourage safer and more informed use of digital technologies among young people and… [Read More]
£11.7 Million Government Fund Supports 80 Digital Skills and Inclusion Programs
The UK government has launched the £11.7 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, which will be distributed across 80 digital skills and support schemes to help those at risk of digital exclusion access online services. Funding is allocated across the UK, including Scotland (£764,020), Wales (£400,368), and Northern Ireland (£267,249), reflecting a nationwide effort to promote… [Read More]
Asian Development Bank Boosts Sustainable Urban Projects in Xianning, PRC
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a CNY 1.07 billion ($150 million) loan to support low-carbon and climate-resilient urban development in Xianning Municipality, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China. The Hubei Xianning Low-Carbon and Climate-Resilient Urban Development Project aims to develop an efficient, smart, safe, and resilient transportation system and urban services in Xianning… [Read More]
New WHO Analysis Reaffirms Vaccines Are Not Linked to Autism
A new analysis by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) has confirmed that there is no causal link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This conclusion reinforces WHO’s longstanding position that childhood vaccines, including those given during pregnancy, do not cause autism. Established in 1999, GACVS brings together… [Read More]
Pregnant Women in Ukraine Face Growing Health and Safety Risks
New data from the UN’s reproductive health agency (UNFPA) reveals a sharp rise in maternal health risks in Ukraine, now approaching its fourth year of conflict following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Florence Bauer, UNFPA’s regional director, highlighted a significant deterioration in maternal health, particularly in Kherson, a city on the Dnipro River facing near-daily shelling from… [Read More]
WFP Calls for Strengthened Disaster Preparedness as Hurricane Melissa Hits
Lola Castro, speaking from Port-au-Prince, emphasized the urgent need for continued support for Haiti and neighboring countries affected by Hurricane Melissa, including Jamaica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. The category 5 hurricane claimed over 80 lives and impacted roughly six million people, making it one of the most intense Atlantic storms on record. Haiti, already… [Read More]
DR Congo Violence Uproots 500,000 People, UN Warns of Regional Crisis
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over a surge in violence in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23) militia has advanced into several towns since 2 December. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the escalation risks undermining efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution of… [Read More]
UN-Led Alliance Promotes Dialogue to Address Global Divisions
On 14–15 December, Riyadh will host the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), bringing together governments, civil society, youth leaders, women peacebuilders, and media representatives. The Forum’s theme, “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity – Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World,” underscores… [Read More]
$150 Million Agreement Between African Development Bank and KCB Bank to Accelerate Green Finance in Kenya
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and KCB Bank Kenya Limited have signed a $150 million financing package aimed at supporting green finance and accelerating climate-smart investments, while enhancing KCB’s trade finance capacity within Kenya’s small business and corporate banking sector. The package includes a $100 million subordinated debt facility to strengthen KCB Kenya’s Tier… [Read More]
$76.3 Million Additional Financing from AfDB to Enhance Horn of Africa Transport Links
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved $76.37 million in additional financing for the Road Infrastructure Programme in Somalia, a central element of the Horn of Africa corridor project connecting Somalia, Djibouti, and Ethiopia. The funding package includes $49.16 million from the African Development Fund, the Bank Group’s concessional lending… [Read More]
Guinea Secures $26 Million from African Development Fund for Mali Power Link Project
The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund has approved additional financing of $25.79 million for Guinea to advance the 225 kV Guinea-Mali electricity interconnection project. The funding, agreed in Abidjan on 10 December 2025, comes from the African Development Bank Group’s concessional window and comprises a loan of approximately $22 million and a… [Read More]
Climate & Nature Risk in SUSREG 2025: Bridging Gaps and Unlocking Opportunities
The WWF Sustainable Financial Regulations and Central Bank Activities Assessment 2025 (SUSREG 2025) highlights that while some central banks and financial regulators are making important strides, key drivers of nature loss—including land, freshwater, and sea use changes, climate change, and pollution—remain insufficiently addressed in financial regulation and supervision. The fifth edition of WWF’s Greening Financial… [Read More]
Ending AIDS in Africa: UNAIDS Calls for Resources, Rights Protection, and Innovation
The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, urged African leaders at the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in Accra, Ghana, to make the political choice to end AIDS by 2030. She emphasized that Africa, home to 19% of the world’s population, carries 65% of the global HIV burden, with more… [Read More]
Paniamor Foundation Wins EU Gender Equality Award for Promoting Women’s Rights
The Paniamor Foundation, a Costa Rican non-profit organization with a 38-year history, was awarded the 2025 Gender Equality Prize by the European Union (EU) in Costa Rica and its Member States. The award recognizes the foundation’s long-standing commitment to promoting gender equality and its transformative approach to addressing the rights of girls and adolescent women…. [Read More]
Uzbekistan Receives EUR 7 Million from EU to Strengthen Agriculture Sector
On 9 December 2025, the European Union disbursed a EUR 7 million grant to the Government of Uzbekistan to support the continued implementation of the country’s Agricultural Development Strategy 2020–2030. The announcement was made by EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Toivo Klaar, during a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov. The meeting reviewed ongoing… [Read More]
Vodafone Marks International Human Rights Day with Dedication to Human Rights
Vodafone places human rights at the core of its business operations, emphasizing that connectivity can be a powerful force for good. The company highlights how digital access enables education, healthcare, financial services, and democratic participation, while also creating opportunities that help communities thrive. Alongside these benefits, Vodafone recognizes its responsibility to ensure its operations do… [Read More]
AfDB Invests €102 Million in Benin to Strengthen Poultry Meat Sector
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group approved a €102.12 million loan to Benin to implement the first phase of the Agriculture Transformation Programme in the country’s savannah region. The initiative aims to sustainably increase national poultry meat production by integrating maize, soybean, and poultry value chains, thereby strengthening food sovereignty, improving… [Read More]
Somali Communities to Benefit from African Development Fund Climate Resilience Investment
The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) approved a $9.63 million grant on 2 December 2025 to strengthen climate resilience, food security, and livelihoods of rural communities in Somalia’s Hirshabelle and Puntland regions. The funding, under the Activating Climate-Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods in Somalia project, will support investments in improved water access, climate-smart… [Read More]
African Development Fund Approves €70.34 Million Financing for Burkina Faso Transport Sector
The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund approved a €70.34 million loan to Burkina Faso on 10 December 2025 to finance the Transport Sector Support Project. The funding, provided through the African Development Bank Group’s concessional window, aims to accelerate access to the country’s interior, enhance sub-regional integration, and strengthen the resilience of… [Read More]
White Spot Biosecurity Control: $4.5 Million Support for Affected Prawn Fishers
The Minns Labor Government has announced an additional $4.5 million financial assistance package to support prawn fishers and farmers in the Clarence, Evans, and Richmond Rivers affected by the detection of white spot in wild prawn populations. This package is designed to help impacted fishers exit the industry, offering funding for voluntary share and business… [Read More]
