Donnalee Lozeau, director of New Hampshire’s GO-NORTH rural health initiative, has said the state’s approach to managing hundreds of millions in federal funding will focus on long-term investment rather than short-term fixes. Speaking at a public health meeting in Concord, she emphasized that the goal is not simply to spend money, but to strategically invest… [Read More]
New Funding Opportunity Opens for Reviewers Programme
The Volkswagen Foundation has announced that its reviewers will continue to be eligible for a 10,000 euro grant through a lottery-based system for at least the next three years. No separate application is required, as participation is automatic once an individual undertakes the role of reviewer. The initiative is designed to recognise the essential contributions… [Read More]
India–New Zealand Seal $20B ‘Once-in-a-Generation’ FTA
India and New Zealand have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), concluded in just nine months and described as a “once-in-a-generation” pact. The agreement was steered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, with key contributions from trade ministers on both sides. It is being seen as a major… [Read More]
Civil Society and the Power of Imagining New Futures
Latin America is currently facing a period of deep uncertainty marked by rising inequality, shrinking civic space, and the rollback of hard-won social rights. Authoritarian narratives and political polarization are further weakening democratic participation, while reduced international funding is threatening the survival of many civil society organizations working on human rights, democracy, and environmental protection…. [Read More]
2.4 Million Kenyans at Risk of Poverty Due to Middle East Crisis: World Bank
A deepening geopolitical crisis in the Middle East is posing a significant threat to Kenya’s fragile economic stability, with the World Bank warning that up to 2.4 million additional Kenyans could fall into poverty in 2026. According to the latest assessment, the country’s poverty rate may rise by 2 to 4.5 percentage points, pushing between… [Read More]
Nearly 62,000 Displaced in Somalia as Drought Crisis Worsens
Nearly 62,000 people have been displaced across five districts in Somalia since the beginning of 2026 due to worsening drought conditions, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The situation highlights a sharp rise in climate-driven displacement, with drought now responsible for three out of every four new displacements in the country,… [Read More]
Building Effective Government and Research Partnerships
Evidence Matters is a collaborative learning series hosted by the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) at Notre Dame, J-PAL North America, and Carrie S. Cihak. It brings together government leaders, researchers, and community stakeholders to strengthen evidence-informed approaches that promote economic mobility and equity. In March 2026, the series hosted a session titled… [Read More]
Somalia Drought Crisis Displaces Over 500,000 Amid Hunger Surge
Across Somalia, a worsening hunger crisis is unfolding as prolonged drought continues to devastate communities, destroy livelihoods, and force large-scale displacement. The failed September Deyr rains have further deepened the climate emergency, leading to repeated harvest failures and widespread loss of livestock, which many families depend on for survival. So far this year, more than… [Read More]
Unlocking Girls in ICT: From Learning to Leading
On International Girls in ICT Day, two Ugandan students, Victoria Komukyeya and Patience Akongo, shared how the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI) is transforming their lives by equipping young women with essential digital skills and confidence to enter the technology sector. Supported by UN Women in partnership with the African Union Commission and the… [Read More]
Egypt Startups Get Boost from EBRD, EU and Fawry
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a loan of up to EGP 250 million (€4.4 million) to Fawry MSME Finance to support youth-led and youth-owned micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Egypt. The financing will be directed toward businesses run or majority owned by entrepreneurs under the age of 35,… [Read More]
WA secures $339.9M funding boost to improve road safety across the state
The Western Australian Government has announced an additional $339.9 million investment to strengthen road safety across the state through infrastructure upgrades, enforcement measures and education programs. The funding, included in the WA State Budget 2026–27, will be delivered over the period from 2025–26 to 2029–30 and is fully supported by the Road Trauma Trust Account,… [Read More]
Blended Finance Partnership: Kitabisa, Bakti Barito Aim Rp13B for Climate Education
Kitabisa and Bakti Barito Foundation have announced a strategic partnership in Jakarta to establish an endowment fund targeting more than Rp13 billion in social investment. The initiative, unveiled on 24 April 2026, is designed to strengthen climate education in Indonesia through the expansion of the “Green Guardians” programme, which aims to equip students with practical… [Read More]
Centre Gives 2026 Returns May 6–7 to Support Nonprofits in Centre County
Centre Gives returns on May 6 and 7, bringing together communities across Centre County, Pennsylvania, for a 36-hour online giving event that supports more than 230 local nonprofits. Residents from areas including State College, Bellefonte, Philipsburg, Penns Valley, and Bald Eagle are encouraged to contribute through CentreGives.org, helping organizations that work across key sectors such… [Read More]
India rolls out $1.08B Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with new DPIIT guidelines
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued operational guidelines for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (FoF 2.0), with a corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore (US$ 1.08 billion). The framework is designed to streamline how capital is deployed, governed, and monitored, with… [Read More]
Amazon India to scale logistics and quick commerce with ₹2,800 crore investment plan
Amazon India has announced a fresh investment of ₹2,800 crore (approximately $300 million) to strengthen its logistics infrastructure and operational capabilities across the country. This move is part of the company’s broader long-term commitment to invest $35 billion in India by 2030, reflecting its continued focus on expanding both e-commerce and delivery capabilities in one… [Read More]
QuoIntelligence raises €7.3M led by Elevator Ventures to strengthen cyber risk solutions
QuoIntelligence has raised €7.3 million in Series A funding led by Elevator Ventures, the venture capital arm of Raiffeisen Bank International, with BMH as co-lead. Existing investor eCAPITAL Entrepreneurial Partners, which led the company’s €5 million seed round in 2023, also participated in this latest investment alongside Mercurius Private Equity. The funding reflects growing investor… [Read More]
Effective Non-Profit Marketing: Case Studies in Audience Engagement
Non-profit organizations today operate in an increasingly competitive environment where they must capture public attention, build trust, and drive donations with limited resources. Effective marketing strategies have therefore become essential for strengthening engagement, expanding outreach, and sustaining long-term support for their missions. This context highlights the importance of learning from real-world case studies that demonstrate… [Read More]
Tech Startup Funding Challenges: Case Studies in Data-Driven Innovation
Tech startups today operate in an increasingly competitive funding environment, where securing investment has become a major challenge. With nearly 60% of tech startups struggling to raise funds, founders are often required to go beyond traditional pitching methods and demonstrate clear, data-backed evidence of growth, market fit, and scalability. In this context, data-driven innovation has… [Read More]
Bucharest tram upgrade to be boosted with €266 million EIB financing tranche
Romania’s capital Bucharest is set to receive a loan tranche of almost €266 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to modernise its urban tram network, marking a major step toward improving sustainable public transport in the city. The financing will support the renovation of around 50 kilometres of tram tracks, the introduction of new… [Read More]
Hannover Messe: EIB Backs €2.4B for Energy Security and Innovation
At Hannover Messe, the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group announced more than €2.4 billion in new financing aimed at strengthening Europe’s energy resilience and advancing cutting-edge innovation. The operations, backed by the InvestEU programme, focus on boosting energy security, modernising power grids, and accelerating investment in strategic technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and… [Read More]
Belarus: GDF Project Boosts Healthcare in Chernobyl-Affected Areas
A new project aimed at improving access to quality healthcare in Chernobyl-affected areas of Belarus was presented at the Sustainable Development Council. The initiative is implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Health and funded by China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund under the Global Development Initiative, marking a continued shift toward… [Read More]
Restoring Wetlands in Chernobyl-Affected Territories
In 2026, the world marks 40 years since the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, and new ecological restoration efforts are increasingly focusing on managing natural ecosystems, reducing climate risks, and rebuilding environmental balance in affected territories. A major priority in this process is the restoration of degraded peatlands and drained wetlands, which play a vital… [Read More]
Philippines to Lead ASEAN Climate Finance Action at 2026 Climate Week
ASEAN Member States (AMS) will convene virtually for a two-day ASEAN Climate Week in Manila, Philippines, on 29–30 April 2026 to strengthen regional cooperation on climate finance and improve how countries integrate climate risks into national economic planning. The initiative is led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Philippine Department… [Read More]
