Africa holds over US$700 billion in domestic pension, insurance, and long-term savings, yet much of this capital remains invested in low-yield government instruments or flows offshore instead of fueling African enterprises, job creation, and innovation. The challenge is not a shortage of funds but the lack of investable pathways that connect domestic savings to productive… [Read More]
Morocco Sees Increased Co-Financing Through World Bank and AFD Partnership
On 11 February, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the World Bank met in Morocco to highlight “The Power of Co-financing,” a model designed to expand as international aid shrinks while development needs grow. With resources under pressure and partner countries requiring investments in sectors such as transport, energy, and climate action, the two… [Read More]
World Bank Funds $245M Climate-Resilient Infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh
The World Bank has approved $245 million in financing to help 2.3 million people in Himachal Pradesh, India, rebuild resilient infrastructure and strengthen community-owned businesses. The state has faced severe losses from extreme weather events in recent years, including heavy rainfall during the 2023 and 2025 monsoon seasons, which caused widespread damage to housing, infrastructure,… [Read More]
Paraguay’s Bi-Oceanic Corridor Gets Key Investment from IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $200 million loan to finance the construction of a key section of Paraguay’s Bi-Oceanic Corridor, a strategic 2,300-mile route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The project aims to improve transportation, expand market and service access for residents of western Paraguay, and stimulate international trade across the… [Read More]
African Development Bank Backs Benin’s Circular Economy Action Plan
The Republic of Benin has formalized its Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) to place circularity at the center of economic growth, aiming to enhance national competitiveness, resilience, and sustainable development. Launched on 5 February 2026 with support from the African Development Bank’s African Circular Economy Facility, the plan aligns with Benin’s Vision 2060 Alafia, emphasizing… [Read More]
From $10K to Millions: Lessons from Nonprofits Winning Big with Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding has emerged as a transformative tool for nonprofit organizations seeking to achieve their funding goals. Unlike traditional fundraising, which often required significant time and resources, crowdfunding platforms streamline the process, enabling nonprofits to connect directly with a wide audience of potential donors. This approach not only broadens funding sources beyond major donors and grants… [Read More]
Spain: EIB and BBVA Partner to Accelerate Green Finance Initiatives
xThe European Investment Bank (EIB) and BBVA have signed two strategic agreements aimed at boosting green finance in Spain and strengthening technical capacity in climate action across the financial sector. The first agreement establishes an EIB guarantee facility of up to €380 million to support sustainable projects. Under this arrangement, the EIB will guarantee roughly… [Read More]
Energy Efficiency for SMEs: EIB Group on Track to Surpass 2025 Targets
The Energy Efficiency for SMEs initiative, the first EU-wide programme dedicated to accelerating energy savings among small and medium-sized enterprises, is on track to exceed its targets after a successful first year of operation. In 2025, the initiative delivered €6 billion in financing, enabling up to 150,000 SMEs across Europe to invest in energy efficiency and… [Read More]
European Investment Bank and Solas Capital Join Forces to Drive Business Energy Savings
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is ramping up support for energy efficiency across Europe with a €60 million commitment to a new financing platform managed by energy transition investment advisor Solas Capital. The investment will flow into Solas Sustainable Energy Fund II (SSEF II) to advance energy efficiency projects by small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs),… [Read More]
EIB Group Steps Up Aid in Ukraine with Heating Points During Energy Instability
Ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continue to disrupt electricity supply across the country. During prolonged outages and freezing temperatures, heating points—known locally as “Points of Invincibility”—provide critical support, offering warm and safe spaces for people to stay, access hot water, charge phones, and receive basic assistance. In Kyiv, 50 heating points are being strengthened… [Read More]
€100 Million EIB Green Investment to Help European Businesses Cut Energy Costs
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged €100 million to support a new project by European asset manager Eiffel Investment Group, aimed at boosting energy savings among businesses in Europe. The investment will back the Eiffel Energy Efficiency Co-Investment Facility, also known as the E4 Facility, which focuses on enhancing the competitiveness of small and… [Read More]
African Critical Raw Material Initiatives Gain Backing from EIB Global
EIB Global has entered into cooperation agreements with EcoGraf and Andrada Mining to support early-stage graphite and lithium projects in Tanzania and Namibia. The agreements include up to €2 million in EU-funded technical assistance for each company, aimed at advancing these projects from feasibility stages to investment readiness. This initiative aligns with the EU’s Global… [Read More]
PAHO Warns of Growing Chikungunya Outbreaks in the Americas, Recommends Action
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert following a sustained increase in chikungunya cases across several countries in the Americas since late 2025. The alert also notes the re-emergence of local transmission in areas that had been free of the virus for several years. Environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures, continue… [Read More]
Dominica Partners with PAHO/WHO to Boost Health Sector and Laboratory Capacity
From 4 to 5 February 2026, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Representative for Barbados and Eastern Caribbean countries, Dr. Amalia Del Riego, visited Dominica, accompanied by Dr. Prabhjot Singh, Advisor for Health Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control. The visit aimed to strengthen national health priorities through strategic collaboration with the Ministry of… [Read More]
Eastern Busway Receives Funding to Complete Final Stretch
The final stretch of the Eastern Busway in Botany is set to begin construction, following the confirmation of $101 million in funding from the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Auckland Council. This marks the completion of the $1.4 billion Eastern Busway project, a key component of Auckland’s rapid transit network designed to provide faster and… [Read More]
New ILO Child Labour Observatory Aims to Strengthen Global Action Against Child Labour
GENEVA, 10 February 2026 – The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched the Child Labour Observatory (CLO), a centralized global platform compiling country-level information on child labour across all 187 ILO Member States. Established following the Durban Call to Action on the Elimination of Child Labour, the CLO serves as a one-stop hub for data,… [Read More]
UNICEF and WHO Warn Measles Threat Persists Despite 75% Case Drop
Copenhagen and Geneva, 11 February 2026 – Measles cases across Europe and Central Asia fell significantly in 2025 compared to 2024, according to preliminary data from 53 countries in the WHO European Region. A total of 33,998 measles cases were reported in 2025, representing nearly a 75% decrease from the 127,412 cases recorded in 2024…. [Read More]
Empowering Women Scientists for Water and Climate Solutions
Meron Teferi Taye grew up in Ethiopia in a family where education, for both girls and boys, was considered the foundation for a meaningful life. Surrounded by role models in medicine and engineering, and inspired by her father’s work in renewable energy and water supply, she developed an early curiosity in science. Observing firsthand how… [Read More]
AI in Education Video Project – Call for Proposals
UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) and Shanghai Open University (SOU) have been jointly implementing the project “Promoting ICT Capacity Building and Open Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies” since 2021. The project has achieved significant outcomes in research and practice, and both institutions aim to further expand… [Read More]
Netherlands Contributes €100 Million to Ukraine’s Energy Support Efforts
On 9 February, the Netherlands announced an additional €35 million contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing its total support through the Fund to €100 million. The Fund, administered by the Energy Community Secretariat and co-chaired by the European Commission, channels international assistance to maintain and restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the ongoing crisis…. [Read More]
€404.3M EU Research Funding Boosts Postdoctoral Careers via MSCA
The European Commission is awarding €404.3 million to postdoctoral researchers through its 2025 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships. This initiative will empower 1,610 researchers, selected from 17,066 international applicants, to develop their own research projects while receiving high-quality training, expert supervision, and international mobility opportunities at academic and non-academic institutions. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are… [Read More]
Japan Provides $3.8 Million to Support UNESCO Programs in Ukraine
UNESCO has received a new US$3.8 million contribution from Japan to support Ukraine’s recovery in culture, education, and communication and information, as the war in Ukraine approaches its fifth year. This funding will allow UNESCO to scale up its actions on the ground, demonstrating Japan’s continued role as a key partner in supporting the Ukrainian… [Read More]
BIODEV2030 Backs Ethiopia’s Nature-Positive Pathway
On 7 February 2026, Bishoftu, Ethiopia, hosted the fourth national stakeholder workshop under the BIODEV2030 project. The event brought together senior officials from key government bodies, including the Ethiopia Biodiversity Institute, Ethiopian Wildlife Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning, and Environment Protection Authority, alongside the national CBD Focal Point and a… [Read More]
