Amnesty International has called on European governments to ensure equal and universal access to abortion care amid ongoing restrictions and growing attempts to further limit reproductive rights. Despite progress in several countries, harmful barriers continue to prevent many people from accessing safe and timely abortion services. Well-funded anti-rights groups are increasingly influencing policies and laws,… [Read More]
€2.9 Billion EU Investment to Accelerate Net-Zero Technology and Green Innovation
The European Commission has unveiled a €2.9 billion funding package to support 61 pioneering net-zero technology projects across Europe. Awarded under the Innovation Fund, the grants aim to accelerate the continent’s transition to climate neutrality and strengthen its position as a leader in clean technology innovation. This funding builds on the first call for net-zero… [Read More]
EU Backs LanzaTech with €40 Million Grant for First Integrated Carbon Capture Project in Norway
LanzaTech Global, Inc., a leader in industrial carbon recycling, has been awarded a €40 million grant from the European Union’s Innovation Fund, pending finalization of the grant agreement. The funding will support the first commercial deployment of LanzaTech’s second-generation bioreactor at the Porsgrunn Manganese Smelter, operated by Eramet Norway AS, a leading ferroalloy producer. The… [Read More]
R2.5 Billion Youth Fund to Drive Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth in South Africa
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has unveiled a R2.5 billion youth empowerment initiative to support small businesses and address rising unemployment among young South Africans. The fund will provide financial assistance ranging from R750,000 to R2 million per enterprise, targeting sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, industrial development, and property ownership. Funding will be… [Read More]
$1.1 Billion Polish Initiative Aims to Expand Trade Opportunities in Africa
Poland’s state-owned development bank, Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), has announced a US$1.1 billion program designed to support Polish companies in expanding into African markets. This initiative forms part of BGK’s broader strategy through 2030, which seeks to increase Poland’s economic presence on the continent, where Polish exports currently account for only about 1.2% of total… [Read More]
From Project to Progress: AKILIMO’s Lasting Impact on Ogun State Agriculture
In Ogun State, Nigeria, the consistent use of IITA’s AKILIMO recommendations by a lead farmer has not only enhanced productivity but also earned recognition from the Ogun State Government and Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment through agriculture. Prof. Oniang’o praised the farmer’s discipline and long-term commitment, highlighting that such sustained application… [Read More]
From Intervention to Transformation: AKILIMO Boosts Agriculture in Ogun State
In Ogun State, Nigeria, the sustained use of IITA’s AKILIMO recommendations by lead farmers has transformed agricultural productivity and earned formal recognition from the Ogun State Government and Prof. Ruth Oniang’o, a renowned advocate for women’s empowerment through agriculture. Prof. Oniang’o praised the farmer’s long-term commitment, noting that consistent application of AKILIMO demonstrates the tool’s… [Read More]
G20 2025: UK Commits to Strengthening Gender Equality in South Africa
The United Kingdom has pledged ZAR 18 million (£800,000) to South Africa’s Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Fund, aiming to benefit more than 33,000 people through school-based prevention programs and community support initiatives. The announcement was made by Baroness Jacqui Smith, UK Minister for Women and Equalities, during the G20 Women’s Empowerment meeting in Johannesburg…. [Read More]
IFRC Unveils CHF 15 Million Emergency Appeal as Climate Crisis Deepens in Kenya
Kenya is facing a deepening climate and humanitarian emergency as millions struggle with hunger, water shortages, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks driven by both drought and floods. In response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a CHF 15 million emergency appeal to support the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS)… [Read More]
Farmers in Kenya Tackle Food Insecurity by Producing Low-Cost Animal Feed Locally
Kenya’s food crisis continues to worsen, with an estimated 2.8 million people facing severe food insecurity in 2025, according to the Global Report on Food Crises. For many Kenyan farmers, the challenge extends beyond growing crops to keeping their livestock alive as animal feed prices skyrocket. In response, a group of farmers in Taita Taveta… [Read More]
Record £3.5 Million Investment from Essentia Foundation to Support Youth in Scotland
Hundreds of young people across Scotland are set to benefit from a record £3.5 million investment made by the Essentia Foundation in 2025. This marks the Foundation’s largest annual funding commitment to date, with £2 million awarded to eight major charities across the country. The funding will enable these organisations to deliver initiatives addressing youth… [Read More]
UN Sounds Alarm: Climate Change, Fires, and Pests Putting World’s Forests in Peril
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has urged world leaders to strengthen forest protection efforts ahead of the COP-30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, warning that the progress made over the past three decades is now at serious risk. UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean emphasized that forests, which serve as one of the planet’s… [Read More]
Doha Summit Highlights Social Justice as a Fundamental Human Right, Not Just a Dream
The Global Coalition for Social Justice Forum convened ministers, representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations, UN agencies, and civil society to accelerate action on poverty eradication, decent work, and social inclusion. The event, described as both hopeful and urgent, marked a critical moment since the coalition’s launch in 2023. Governments and partners have strengthened efforts… [Read More]
UN Unveils $74 Million Humanitarian Response for 2.2 Million Cubans Affected by Hurricane Melissa
The United Nations has launched a formal Plan of Action in Cuba to support the government-led national response following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The plan focuses on restoring essential services in key areas such as health, water and sanitation, shelter, education, and early recovery. It also prioritizes the needs of women, children, and… [Read More]
UN Mobilizes Emergency Aid as Fighting Intensifies in El Fasher, Sudan
The United Nations has expressed deep alarm over escalating violence and grave human rights violations against civilians in El Fasher, the capital of Sudan’s North Darfur state, following its capture by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia last week. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq reported disturbing accounts of executions, sexual violence, extortion, and other brutal… [Read More]
Ongoing Conflict in Sudan Hinders Advancements in Abyei Peace Negotiations
Relations between Sudan and South Sudan remain strained as the ongoing war in Sudan continues to obstruct progress toward resolving the status of Abyei, a disputed oil-rich border region. The conflict between Sudan’s national army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has severely affected regional stability and hampered peace efforts…. [Read More]
Doha World Summit Day Two Calls for Greater Investment in People and Peace
At the second day of the World Summit in Doha, delegates from all regions reaffirmed that social justice and peace are inseparable, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger social safety nets, poverty reduction, and human-rights-based policymaking. Marking three decades since the 1995 Copenhagen Summit, participants acknowledged notable progress in education, life expectancy, and poverty reduction… [Read More]
WHO Highlights Financial Strain of Health Costs on Low-Income Families in Greece
A new World Health Organization (WHO) study reveals that out-of-pocket payments are causing catastrophic health spending for nearly 10% of households in Greece. Families facing such financial strain often struggle to afford basic necessities like food, housing, and utilities. The report highlights that the burden of these expenses is disproportionately concentrated among the poorest fifth… [Read More]
EU Marks 20 Years of Tobacco Control: How Close Are We to a Tobacco-Free Generation?
Twenty years after the European Union (EU) ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), a new WHO/Europe report highlights both notable progress and persistent challenges in curbing tobacco use. While the EU has made significant strides in implementing strong tobacco control policies, tobacco consumption still claims over half a million lives annually…. [Read More]
20 Years of the Pan-European Protocol on Water and Health: Advancing Resilience in a Changing World
The pan-European region, which includes the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region and Liechtenstein, is placing resilience at the heart of its water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) agenda in response to intensifying global challenges such as climate change, conflict, and evolving disease patterns. As the Protocol on Water and Health marks its 20th… [Read More]
PAHO Promotes Digital Tools to Improve Vaccination Tracking in Areas with Limited Connectivity
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in collaboration with Peru’s Ministry of Health, has developed a new digital tool to strengthen vaccination data management in areas with limited internet access. The Offline Immunization Digital Application, known as “Vacuna Offline”, allows health workers to record vaccination data directly at the point of care, even without internet… [Read More]
Jamaica: PAHO/WHO Appeals for Urgent Donor Aid Following Hurricane Melissa’s Destruction
Hurricane Melissa has caused catastrophic damage across the Caribbean, leaving Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic reeling from its impact. In response, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) has issued a donor alert calling for urgent international support to mobilize critical resources for the ongoing health response. The alert details the most… [Read More]
Innovative Strategies for Scaling Up Family Planning and Reproductive Services
Family planning is a cornerstone of public health and individual empowerment, allowing people to make informed choices about if and when to have children. However, access remains a challenge in many parts of the world where clinics are distant, services are costly, and misinformation is widespread. To address these barriers, governments, health experts, and communities… [Read More]
