Projects that use the market systems development (MSD) approach often argue that their most successful interventions create lasting impact for target communities long after donor funding ends. In practice, however, these claims are rarely tested. Ex-post evaluations are uncommon, leaving a significant gap in understanding what truly remains once projects exit. To address this gap,… [Read More]

The African Development Bank has approved a $150 million senior loan to support the development of the Coral North Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) Project, a major offshore energy initiative in Mozambique. The decision, approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors on 14 January, marks a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s energy infrastructure… [Read More]

The killing of unarmed Minnesota woman Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis this January has sparked nationwide alarm and protests, intensifying concerns about the growing risk of political and state violence in the United States. The incident came amid a year marked by high-profile political assassinations, increasing death threats against elected officials… [Read More]

Cultural conflicts became far more visible during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing deep differences in how societies respond to crisis. As lockdowns spread across the world, arguments erupted online over whether stay-at-home orders were excessive. In some places, protesters gathered at government buildings to demand freedom of movement, while inside homes, parents and… [Read More]

The European Commission has announced its initial €1.9 billion humanitarian aid budget for 2026, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to life-saving assistance at a time when 239 million people worldwide need help and major donors are reducing their funding. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib presented the funding commitment in Davos, highlighting efforts… [Read More]

Children and young people across Scotland are set to benefit from over £2 million (£2,081,593) in funding announced by The National Lottery Community Fund on 21 January 2026. The funding will support 22 organisations through the Young Start programme, which distributes money from dormant bank accounts to initiatives that empower young people and help them… [Read More]

Circle Foundation, a philanthropic initiative supported by Circle Internet Group, announced its first international grant to the United Nations’ Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) to modernize and streamline financial operations across the UN system. The grant aims to enhance transparency, reduce costs, and enable secure, real-time access to financial systems and markets worldwide. The… [Read More]

The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the critical importance of access to leprosy treatment as part of global efforts to eliminate the disease, ahead of World Leprosy Day on 25 January. Leprosy, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent disabilities… [Read More]

Haiti is facing a deepening crisis as armed gangs control large areas, extending their influence well beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, and severely weakening the State’s ability to provide governance and essential services. Presidential elections have not been held in over a decade, leaving transitional governance arrangements under strain. Humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels, with… [Read More]

A three-month-old baby girl in Gaza City tragically froze to death on Tuesday, marking the ninth cold-related fatality of the season, according to UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq. In response, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called for urgent measures, including the entry of batteries, solar panels, and other energy sources… [Read More]

Haiti faces a critical juncture as the political transition set to expire on 7 February collides with escalating violence, entrenched criminal networks, and growing humanitarian needs. Officials warn that without urgent and sustained security and political efforts, the country risks sliding further into instability. Carlos Ruiz-Massieu, head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH),… [Read More]

The Ontario government is investing over $47 million in 195 research projects at universities, colleges, and hospitals across the province, supporting homegrown research that drives economic growth, protects jobs, and strengthens innovation. This investment is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and maintain its competitiveness in global markets. Minister Nolan Quinn highlighted that… [Read More]

Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture David Marit announced a $4.5 million investment to support 25 new livestock and forage research projects in Saskatchewan through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). The funding aims to help livestock producers remain innovative, profitable, and competitive by advancing applied research that addresses… [Read More]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced a €135 million investment in State-led early learning and childcare services, aiming to provide high-quality, accessible care for children across Ireland. The programme will begin in 2026 with the acquisition and refurbishment of suitable buildings, in collaboration with not-for-profit providers who will design and operate… [Read More]

Local communities across England are set to benefit from a new £11.59 million government fund designed to strengthen collaboration between civil society organisations and local authorities. The funding, invested over three years, aims to improve support in areas such as mental health, adult social care, women’s refuges, and child poverty. By fostering partnerships between local… [Read More]

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has announced a short extension to the application deadline for the 2026 Schemes of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture. The extension affects three key schemes: the 2026 Scheme for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture (Capital Investments), the 2026 Scheme of Investment Aid for Innovation… [Read More]

The Tánaiste Simon Harris TD and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD have announced the first call for projects under Ireland’s new Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF). The €1 billion fund, to be allocated over the next five years, is aimed at boosting public infrastructure projects that unlock housing sites in… [Read More]

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley has announced a €135 million investment to expand State-led early learning and childcare services across Ireland. The initiative aims to provide high-quality, accessible childcare, focusing on areas of greatest need and complementing existing private and community services. The programme will begin in 2026 with the acquisition and… [Read More]

Across Malawi, efforts to expand employment opportunities and strengthen social protection are being implemented through a more integrated and coordinated approach. Supported by the Joint SDG Fund and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions, the Government of Malawi, together with the United Nations and development partners, is linking community-level initiatives,… [Read More]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and DHL Global Forwarding have launched the Ubuntu Academy, a digital training program in Ghana aimed at equipping 10,000 young Africans with logistics and workplace skills over the coming years. The initiative targets both young people entering the workforce and returned migrants seeking to reintegrate into their communities, offering… [Read More]

Lebanon is moving forward with the implementation of its new pension scheme under Law No. 319, a landmark reform passed by Parliament in December 2023 that establishes a comprehensive pension system for private sector workers and reshapes the governance of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Recent coordination meetings between Lebanon’s Minister of Labour Mohamad… [Read More]

East Asia and Pacific (EAP) is facing a rising burden of chronic, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) that threaten to overwhelm health systems and slow economic growth. A new World Bank report, A Healthy Future: Primary Health Care and the Chronic Disease Epidemic in EAP, emphasizes that urgent reforms in primary health care (PHC) can help the… [Read More]

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a USD 825,000 contribution from the Government of Switzerland to support the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in the Central African Republic (CAR). This funding will ensure that UNHAS continues operating for the next three months, providing reliable air transport to remote and insecure areas… [Read More]