Harare – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has been recognized as 2nd runner-up for the ICT Innovator of the Year Award at the 2025 Zimbabwe ICT Excellence Awards for its Earth Observation for Agricultural Statistics (EOSTAT) initiative. The award highlights FAO’s efforts in transforming crop monitoring systems and strengthening national… [Read More]
€12.3 Million Funding Approved for 206 Rural Initiatives under 2025 CLÁR Programme, Says Minister Calleary
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, announced €12.3 million in funding for 206 community projects under the 2025 CLÁR programme during a visit to Kiltimagh Knock United soccer club in County Mayo. The club will receive just over €50,000 to build a new two-bay spectator stand. This latest allocation… [Read More]
Ministers Naughton and Moynihan Kick Off Hiring Campaign for Education Therapy Service
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton T.D. and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan T.D. have launched a national recruitment campaign for therapists to join the new Education Therapy Service (ETS). The initiative, managed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), aims to recruit 90 occupational and speech and… [Read More]
€14.3 Million Boost for Local Wastewater Improvements Approved by Minister Browne
The Government has approved an increase in funding for rural wastewater projects under Measure A8 of the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme, raising the total allocation from €50.9 million to €65.2 million. Measure A8, introduced in 2022 as a pilot initiative, aims to trial wastewater solutions for villages and small settlements without public wastewater services and… [Read More]
European Investment Bank Opens Tashkent Office, Boosts Sustainable Development in Central Asia
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched a new phase of engagement in Central Asia, announcing the opening of a regional office in Tashkent in early 2026. During this mission, the EIB signed several Letters of Intent to advance sustainable transport, environmental resilience, and regional connectivity. High-level delegations from all five Central Asian countries, Turkey,… [Read More]
West Bank Violence: UN Denounces Apparent Extrajudicial Killing of Two Men
On Thursday in Jenin, two Palestinian men were reportedly shot, with the incident apparently captured on film by a TV channel, according to OHCHR Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence. An internal review was announced, but statements from a senior Israeli official attempting to absolve security forces raised serious concerns about the credibility of any investigation not fully… [Read More]
UN Health Agency Alerts to Surge in Measles Cases Affecting Millions of Children
Global measles outbreaks are accelerating as millions of children remain under-immunized due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Measles, one of the most contagious respiratory viruses, can infect up to 18 people from a single case and is potentially deadly, with one in five infected children requiring hospitalization. Last year, around 11 million people… [Read More]
Myanmar Polls Risk Deepening Repression, UN Says
Civilians in Myanmar are facing extreme pressures as the country prepares for elections under the military junta. James Rodehaver, head of OHCHR’s Myanmar team, highlighted that citizens are caught between coercive efforts by the military to secure votes and aggressive campaigns by armed opposition groups to block participation. The junta claims to have issued roughly… [Read More]
Nigerian Woman with Disabilities Leads Movement for Rights and Inclusion
Shiminenge, a 32-year-old woman living in a displacement camp in Gbajimba, north-central Nigeria, navigates daily life with a mobility impairment in an environment that is largely inaccessible. Tents are pitched on uneven ground, paths become muddy when it rains, and essential facilities like toilets and water points are often out of reach. Despite these challenges,… [Read More]
Sri Lanka Faces Worst Flooding in Decades as Cyclone Ditwah Strikes
Cyclone Ditwah has caused catastrophic flooding across Sri Lanka, affecting nearly one million people in all 25 districts. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 212 people have died, 218 remain missing, and over 180,000 individuals from more than 51,000 families are taking shelter in 1,094 government-run safety centres as… [Read More]
How Georgia’s Local Communities Are Driving the Sustainable Development Goals
In Georgia, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are being translated into practical local solutions that improve daily life, from waste management to child welfare. Seed funding from the Joint SDG Fund has catalyzed a nationwide movement for local innovation, accountability, and inclusive growth, empowering municipalities to turn ambitious plans into measurable progress. The joint programme,… [Read More]
Belém Political Package Adopted to Advance Decent Work in Just Transitions, Says ILO
The International Labour Organization (ILO) welcomed the adoption of the Belém Political Package at the 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Endorsed by 195 countries, the Package is a landmark achievement that strengthens global efforts to advance climate action while promoting a just… [Read More]
Ethiopia Empowers TVT Instructors to Enhance Workforce Skills
A four-day ILO Core Skills Training in Jimma, Ethiopia, has strengthened the capacity of Technical and Vocational Training (TVT) instructors, curriculum developers, and career counsellors to deliver essential employability skills. The programme focused on practical skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork, digital literacy, and green skills, equipping participants with hands-on methods and personalised action… [Read More]
Strengthening Safety and Health in Brazil’s Coffee Sector: Unions and Cooperatives Lead the Way
In Minas Gerais, Brazil, coffee cooperatives, smallholder farmers, and rural unions participated in capacity-building activities organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through its Vision Zero Fund, in collaboration with Brazil’s Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Confederation of Rural Salaried Workers (CONTAR), with co-financing from the European Union. Held between 28 and… [Read More]
From Nature Lover to Rural Business Owner: A Success Story in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Biljana Topić, a biologist and ornithologist from Šipovo in western Bosnia and Herzegovina, transformed her passion for nature into a viable enterprise after completing the ILO “Start and Improve Your Business” (SIYB) training this year. She developed a business plan, launched her own company, and brought to market a line of natural, cold-pressed fruit juices… [Read More]
November 2025 Rainbow Digest: Insights on Advocacy, Community, and Social Change
The EU Court of Justice has ruled that Poland must recognise same-sex marriages conducted abroad, specifically in the case of two Polish citizens married in Germany. The decision establishes that refusing recognition of such marriages violates EU law, particularly the fundamental right of freedom of movement for EU citizens. This ruling is a significant step… [Read More]
$10,000 Grant Supports Caribbean Journalist Reporting on Solar Energy
Across the Caribbean, initiatives are increasingly supporting journalists in covering climate justice, with a particular focus on renewable energy projects. A recent example is funding for a Trinidad and Tobago reporter to investigate the country’s emerging solar energy sector, highlighting how renewable energy development intersects with community-centered reporting. These efforts aim to bring attention to… [Read More]
Global Biodiversity Finance Facility Mobilizes $87M for Project Preparation in 34 Nations
The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved 22 new project preparation grants across 34 countries, totaling over $87 million. This fourth round of grants prioritized support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and projects involving international financial institutions (IFIs), aiming to direct biodiversity funding… [Read More]
New FAO-UNDP Study Evaluates Global National Adaptation Plans
A landmark side event at COP 30 highlighted the critical role of agrifood systems in national adaptation plans (NAPs) while revealing persistent gaps that hinder their full potential for climate action. The event, held on 20 November 2025, officially launched the SCALA-supported report Agrifood Systems in National Adaptation Plans – An Analysis, which outlines targeted… [Read More]
Jamaica Receives Initial USD 2 Million in UNDP Resilient Recovery Funding
Kingston, 24 November 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has mobilized an initial USD 2 million in Resilient Recovery grants to support Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa, aiming to restore community life, livelihoods, and advance the national vision for a resilient recovery. The grants follow a recent surge mission by UNDP’s global and… [Read More]
Strong Public Support for Climate Action Highlighted in UNDP Survey
A landmark global survey, UNDP’s Peoples’ Climate Vote 2024, reveals widespread public concern over climate change and strong demand for government action. Conducted across 77 countries and covering 87% of the world’s population, the survey found that 80% of respondents want their governments to take stronger climate action. Compared to last year, 53% of participants… [Read More]
Sustainable Agriculture Boost: UNDP Launches Wastewater Treatment Facility in Rural Damascus
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by the Adaptation Fund and in partnership with Syrian ministries, inaugurated the Zibdeen Wastewater Treatment Plant in Eastern Ghouta, Rural Damascus. This project represents a significant step toward climate adaptation, sustainable water management, and livelihood recovery in Syria. Funded with US$4.89 million, the initiative included the rehabilitation of… [Read More]
World AIDS Day – 1 December 2025: Fighting Stigma, Supporting Communities
As the world marks World AIDS Day 2025 under the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” the global community faces both opportunities and challenges in ending AIDS as a public health threat. Despite decades of progress, gains are being threatened by tightening financing, conflict, climate shocks, and growing inequalities. Persistent issues such as underinvestment… [Read More]
