A new UK government campaign, “Discover! Creative Careers,” aims to encourage young people from working-class backgrounds and underrepresented communities outside London to explore careers in the creative industries. Research commissioned by the government highlights that although nearly one in three young people aged 11-18 express interest in creative jobs, almost half lack understanding of the… [Read More]
Transforming vocational education: EU4Skills drives innovation and renovation in Lviv region
The official opening of the newly renovated Stryi Higher Vocational School No. 34 was held on 30 October under the “EU4Skills: Modernization of the Infrastructure of the Vocational Education and Training System in Ukraine” project. Financed by the European Union and implemented by the German Development Bank (KfW) in partnership with the Ukrainian Social Investment… [Read More]
From tradition to enterprise: How EU support helped launch new businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina
After spending years abroad in France, Biljana longed to return home to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite living a stable and peaceful life overseas, she felt a deep yearning for her homeland. Encouraged by her children, she decided to come back, realizing that her heart truly belonged there. However, returning home brought new challenges — she… [Read More]
Uzbekistan’s legal reform efforts boosted by EU Twinning Project, highlighted at national symposium
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the European Union (EU)-funded Twinning project, organized a symposium titled “Towards a Consistent and Simplified Regulatory Framework in Uzbekistan” in Tashkent on 29 October 2025. The event highlighted major achievements in improving the structure of legal acts and assessing regulatory impacts, demonstrating the… [Read More]
UK Government-Funded Obesity Study to Benefit Thousands of Patients in Scotland’s Poorest Areas
A landmark obesity study, the Scotland CardioMetabolic Impact Study (SCoMIS), has been launched to place Scottish patients, particularly those in deprived areas, at the heart of research on weight-loss medicines. Backed by the UK government with an initial £650,000 investment, the study is a collaborative effort involving the University of Glasgow, pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk,… [Read More]
EIB backs Amethis Europe Expansion Fund with €20 million to boost SME growth in Africa
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a €20 million investment in the Amethis Europe Expansion Fund, a new private equity vehicle aimed at supporting European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expanding their business in Africa, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. The fund seeks to strengthen economic ties between Europe and… [Read More]
UK Commits £5 Million for Emergency Aid and Sexual Violence Support in El Fasher
The UK government has announced an additional £5 million in urgent humanitarian funding to support people in Sudan, particularly in El Fasher, where 260,000 individuals, including many children, are trapped in famine-like conditions amid ongoing violence. The funding will provide essential services such as emergency food supplies, medical care, and protection for survivors of sexual… [Read More]
EIB and Santander invest €1 billion to strengthen small businesses, sustainability, and women’s entrepreneurship
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group, through its subsidiaries—the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund (EIF)—is partnering with Santander in a new €569.5 million securitisation transaction aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies in Spain. The initiative will enable Santander to channel approximately €1.08 billion in… [Read More]
Minister Dooley Wraps Successful China Trade Mission Boosting Ireland’s Seafood and Agri-Food Exports
Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, TD, concluded a successful seafood and agri-food trade mission to China, conducted in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. During the visit, Minister Dooley held government-to-government meetings with representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the General Administration of Customs of China… [Read More]
IFAD and Italy’s BF S.p.A. collaborate to drive sustainable agri-industrial growth in Africa
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and BF S.p.A., Italy’s largest agri-industrial group, have signed a Letter of Intent to explore new opportunities for collaboration in promoting sustainable agricultural development, particularly across Africa. Announced in Dakar on 29 October 2025 during the Dakar Business Forum, the partnership aims to strengthen food security, reduce reliance… [Read More]
Tánaiste Welcomes Urgent Delivery of Life-Saving Food Aid to Gaza
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Harris welcomed the delivery of food aid to Gaza, supporting approximately 42,000 people. Over 8,400 parcels of nutritious food, provided by Plan International Ireland with support from Irish Aid, were transported by road, with each parcel sufficient for two meals a day for a family of… [Read More]
Strengthening climate and health resilience: IDRC and Rockefeller Foundation launch new initiative in Senegal and Uganda
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and The Rockefeller Foundation have joined forces to strengthen climate and health financing systems in Senegal and Uganda. The partnership, backed by a joint grant of USD 1.4 million (CAD 1.96 million) through The Rockefeller Foundation’s RF Catalytic Capital, aims to improve governance, evidence generation, and investment readiness within… [Read More]
Ethiopia Modernizes Health Emergency Information Systems to Boost Response Efficiency
The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in Ethiopia is supporting the Government of Ethiopia in modernizing and digitalizing its public health emergency systems to enable faster, data-driven decisions for preparedness and response. This transformation is being achieved through strong collaboration with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and the implementation of three interoperable digital… [Read More]
EU Opens Public Consultations on Draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) for Feedback
Ireland has opened public consultations on the draft Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and its associated Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report, running until 1 December 2025. The consultations allow the public and interested stakeholders to provide feedback on measures designed to protect water quality from the impact of agricultural nutrients, in line with the… [Read More]
Global Model WHO 2025: Youth Leaders Call for Urgent Measures Against Social Isolation
At the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, nearly 400 young leaders from over 40 countries came together at the Global Model WHO 2025 to raise global awareness about the growing crisis of social isolation. Declaring it a “public health priority shaping our generation’s future,” participants urged governments to recognize the health risks associated… [Read More]
Food Systems: The Missing Link to Advancing Global Social Development
The article highlights that food is not just a humanitarian concern but a cornerstone of social development. It argues that food determines the well-being of families, opportunities for youth, and inclusion within communities. Although food is recognized as a basic human right, it remains unrealized in many parts of the world. The authors emphasize that… [Read More]
WHO Strengthens Global Standards for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Products
On World Cities Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged national and local leaders to transform urban areas into engines of health, equity, and sustainability. With over 4.4 billion people—more than half of humanity—now living in cities, this number is expected to reach nearly 70 percent by 2050. Urban areas have become critical intersections where… [Read More]
Building a Just Transition: Addressing Root Causes of Decent Work Deficits Through a Systems Approach
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), organized a two-day learning event on 30–31 October 2025 to explore how a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach can support climate action, social justice, and decent job creation. The event brought together over 100 global participants, including policymakers, donors, UN… [Read More]
WHO Strengthens Global Standards for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine Products
The World Health Organization (WHO) organized the Interregional Training Workshop on Ensuring the Quality and Safety of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative (TCI) Medicine Products from 22–24 October 2025 in Macao SAR, China. The event formed part of WHO’s broader efforts to strengthen regulatory systems and promote the safe integration of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine… [Read More]
Ceasefire in Gaza Opens Path for Agricultural Recovery and Land Access
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) have released new geospatial data revealing widespread and escalating damage to the agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip. The analysis highlights extensive destruction of cropland, greenhouses, irrigation wells, and agricultural infrastructure that are critical for food production and… [Read More]
Celebrating Care: Honoring the Vital Role of Support and Care Providers Worldwide
The United Nations in Nepal marked the International Day of Care and Support on 31 October 2025, emphasizing the essential role of care and support in building inclusive and resilient societies. Hosted by ILO Nepal and UN Women Nepal, the event celebrated the dedication of care and support staff whose work sustains the wellbeing of… [Read More]
FAO Boosts Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Sustainable Agrifood Systems
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has reinforced its commitment to transforming agrifood systems by integrating Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) measures into its programmes. This initiative was highlighted during the Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Project (ZEFPP) exit and sustainability strategy development workshop, where FAO collaborated with implementing partners… [Read More]
How to Design Risk Finance and Social Protection as a Unified System
Escalating global crises and climate-related shocks are exposing the immense costs and inefficiencies of mobilizing funds for recovery after disasters. This has underscored the importance of Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) as a key solution to ensure timely, predictable funding for crisis response. At the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development… [Read More]
