The Community Foundation of Frederick County has awarded over $758,000 through its Impact Grant program to support projects that improve life in Frederick County. In 2026, more than 55 organizations received funding for initiatives spanning arts, historic preservation, agriculture, health and human services, education, cultural understanding, animal welfare, scholarships, elder care, youth programs, and civic… [Read More]

Across the globe, menstrual health and sanitation markets are already being reshaped by climate shocks, resource pressures, and environmental degradation. These markets are deeply connected to climate resilience, economic stability, and social equity. Building inclusive, climate-resilient systems is critical not only for environmental goals but also for ensuring equitable access to sanitation and menstrual health… [Read More]

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has announced that over the past year, more than £7.91 million in grants has been awarded to over 2,350 rural community organisations and businesses across Northern Ireland. These funds were distributed through the Department’s Rural Micro Capital Grant Scheme and Rural Business Development Grant Scheme to support local initiatives, strengthen rural… [Read More]

The Province of Nova Scotia has launched the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Impact Grant program to support community-based organizations serving 2SLGBTQIA+ residents. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity, stability, and long-term impact of these organizations, helping them better serve underrepresented and underserved communities, including those in rural areas. This funding program is part of the Province’s… [Read More]

The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), a year after former President Donald Trump ordered the exit. This move ends all US participation in the UN health agency but leaves behind an unpaid debt of approximately $260 million. The US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that… [Read More]

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has announced a series of new partnerships with global businesses, brands, and philanthropic organizations to accelerate vaccine innovation and expand access to primary healthcare in underserved communities. The announcement, made at Davos on 22 January 2026, emphasizes the continued relevance of Gavi’s public-private partnership model, which helps countries scale proven health… [Read More]

The European Union has unveiled its Anti-Racism Strategy for 2026–2030, aiming to continue efforts initiated after the 2020 George Floyd murder and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. The plan includes reviewing and reporting on the implementation of anti-discrimination laws across all 27 EU member states, launching an EU-wide awareness campaign on equality, and doubling the… [Read More]

LUSH Malaysia has launched a refreshed approach to advocacy and giving, starting in late March 2026, linking product innovation directly with NGOs to drive measurable impact in conservation, community empowerment, and environmental justice. The initiative marks a shift from awareness campaigns to action-oriented projects that deliver tangible outcomes. The announcement was made at the LUSH… [Read More]

Residents near the Lega Dembi gold mine in Ethiopia’s Oromia region have long reported severe health impacts, particularly among children. Reports include children born with chronic health conditions, miscarriages, and stillbirths. Multiple studies have detected dangerously high levels of toxic chemicals, including cadmium, mercury, lead, and arsenic, in the country’s largest gold mine, raising serious… [Read More]

In 2025, major donor nations significantly reduced funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, jeopardizing the right to health for millions worldwide. So far, only US$11.85 billion has been pledged for 2026–2028, far short of the US$18 billion urgently needed. All but one of the top 10 donors cut their contributions,… [Read More]

This week, Australia passed new legislation aimed at expanding government powers to ban hate groups and impose tougher penalties for hate crimes. The laws were introduced in response to the Bondi Beach mass shooting in December, where two gunmen killed 15 people during Hanukkah celebrations. While hate crime laws can play a crucial role in… [Read More]

Following renewed clashes between Syrian authorities and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in north-east Syria, control over certain detention facilities and camps holding people suspected of Islamic State (IS) affiliation has shifted to the Syrian authorities. Kristine Beckerle, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, emphasized that these… [Read More]

The Syrian Private Sector Dialogue (PSD) is a flagship initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme with support from the Government of Japan, designed to bring together Syrian business leaders from across the country and the diaspora. Since 2018, the Dialogue has served as a trusted, evidence-based platform where entrepreneurs, chambers, policymakers, and international… [Read More]

After more than a decade of conflict, Syria is entering a pivotal moment following the 2024 transition. The country faces immense challenges, but also significant potential to rebuild livelihoods and restore economic stability. Central to this recovery are Syrian workers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that have endured years of instability, demonstrating resilience that can serve as… [Read More]

Uncertainty defined 2025 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with economic, social, and political volatility reaching historic highs. These pressures are set to continue in 2026, fueled by shifting geopolitical alliances, evolving trade rules, and a dense calendar of elections. Some countries benefit from higher commodity prices and renewed investment, while others remain mired… [Read More]

In 2025, India made significant strides in empowering millions of its citizens, from farmers to women and youth, through systemic improvements in digital health, social protection, and skills development. These changes provided stability, new opportunities, and practical support, reaching 42 million farmers, 32 million women, and 116,000 youth, and contributing to broader national progress. Dr…. [Read More]

When education systems fail to reflect the realities young people face, the cost extends beyond lost opportunity—it limits human potential. Around the world, millions of young people experience education that is unequal, inaccessible, or disconnected from their everyday lives. Yet these same youth often emerge as innovators, imagining solutions where systems fall short. Since 2019,… [Read More]

A U.S.-funded medical research trial in Guinea-Bissau has sparked heated debate over ethics, necessity, and scientific validity. Public health experts have criticized the study as unethical, drawing comparisons to the infamous Tuskegee Experiment, while the U.S. government and the researchers involved have promoted it as a rare opportunity to examine broader health effects of the… [Read More]

The Ministry for Culture, Lands, and Local Government, in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth, Research and Innovation, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, and Festivals Malta, has provided financial support to 42 cultural organizations through the new Funding Scheme for Youth Cultural Organizations Participating in Carnival 2026. A total of €160,000 was distributed to the organizations, reflecting… [Read More]

Children in the Bangsamoro region of the southern Philippines have long been exposed to hazardous work, scavenging in dump sites and laboring in agricultural fields from dawn to dusk. Many collected plastics and cans for sale, facing toxic exposure while missing out on education. One former scavenger reflected, “We live near the garbage dump. We… [Read More]

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) was established in 2002 to address challenges in delivering infrastructure projects across Africa, South, and Southeast Asia. Since its inception, PIDG has provided 232 million people with access to essential infrastructure, including renewable energy, safe transport, clean water, sanitation, digital connectivity, and climate-resilient food systems. Its work focuses on… [Read More]

Systemic barriers continue to prevent girls from completing their education, including child marriage, poverty, conflict, discrimination, and shrinking education budgets. After more than a decade leading the global movement for girls’ education, it has become clear that no single program can overcome these interconnected challenges. Real change requires systemic solutions—laws, budgets, financing systems, and global… [Read More]

Health facilities across Ukraine continue to operate under extremely challenging conditions, putting immense pressure on the country’s healthcare system. To support the continuity of essential services, WHO, in partnership with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief), has delivered critical medical equipment to frontline-adjacent health facilities. The latest shipment included 15 anaesthesia machines,… [Read More]