The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have announced a combined investment of $9.7 million to support crop research in Saskatchewan in 2026. This funding includes $7.2 million through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) to support 39 new crop research projects and $2.5 million through the Strategic Research Initiative (SRI) to address the long-term management of… [Read More]

Cultural organizations play a key role in bringing communities together, strengthening local economies, and preserving Canadian identity. Recognizing this, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, announced an investment of over $50,000 for three cultural groups in the Okanagan to support festivals, community events, and Canadian-authored… [Read More]

Ireland has announced a €42 million aid package for Palestine in 2026, marking an increase from €36 million in 2025. Of this amount, €20 million will be provided as core funding to UNRWA to support essential services for Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, and the wider region. An additional €2 million will support… [Read More]

The UK government has launched its first-ever Town of Culture competition, aiming to restore pride in communities and drive local economic growth as part of its broader Plan for Change. The initiative invites small, medium, and large towns to submit Expressions of Interest by 31 March 2026, giving them the chance to showcase their local… [Read More]

Philanthropic capital plays a crucial but often underdiscussed role in financing the energy transition, particularly as a catalyst for early-stage companies and innovative technologies. Rather than serving as an end in itself, philanthropic capital is designed to leverage additional investments, helping scale solutions in carbon reduction, renewable energy, and job creation. By supporting companies at… [Read More]

Adaptation finance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) remains far below the levels needed to address climate vulnerabilities. Public funding is stagnating or declining, while private flows are difficult to access and rarely reach the communities most exposed to climate impacts. Governments and local actors are calling for a faster,… [Read More]

The global economy is showing greater resilience than expected despite ongoing trade tensions and policy uncertainty, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. Global growth is projected to remain broadly steady, easing to 2.6% in 2026 before rising slightly to 2.7% in 2027, representing an upward revision from earlier forecasts. This resilience… [Read More]

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved three projects in India’s Assam state aimed at increasing resilience to extreme weather, improving governance and service delivery, and equipping more than four million students with skills for the workforce. These initiatives target Assam’s unique position as a gateway to Southeast Asia, enhancing regional trade and… [Read More]

The Arab Coordination Group (ACG) and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have launched a new phase of their partnership aimed at scaling co-financing, mobilising private capital, and accelerating Africa’s economic transformation. The initiative was formalised during a High-Level Consultation Meeting at the AfDB headquarters in Abidjan, which created a platform to shift from fragmented… [Read More]

The illegal wildlife trade is rapidly evolving, expanding into new regions and targeting different species in response to growing demand. Digital marketplaces and social media platforms have amplified the reach of traffickers, increasing the scale and complexity of this illicit trade. In response, policymakers and conservation organizations are collaborating globally to regulate wildlife trade, protect… [Read More]

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, is investing up to US$100 million in a green bond issued by KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited (KBank), marking IFC’s first investment in the Thai bank. The bond aims to promote sustainable, resource-efficient practices, create jobs, and support innovation across key sectors of Thailand’s economy…. [Read More]

In January 2025, the US government abruptly paused all foreign assistance, disrupting the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and prevention services to millions of people. A UNAIDS report warns that without urgent action, there could be an additional six million new HIV infections and four million AIDS-related deaths by 2029. In response, The Global Fund… [Read More]

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grant scheme has awarded Peter Mac more than $7.5 million to support five innovative cancer research projects. These grants are highly competitive and aim to fund research that addresses specific questions, promoting breakthroughs in understanding and treating cancer. Acting Executive Director of Cancer Research, Professor Jayesh… [Read More]

The humanitarian system is currently facing unprecedented pressure, driven by protracted crises, climate-related shocks, and limited resources. These challenges are testing not only the sector’s capacity to respond but also how actors work together. In this context, strategic partnerships are essential mechanisms to adapt, innovate, and deliver more coordinated, accountable, and locally led humanitarian responses…. [Read More]

Conflict-related sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has surged, while support for survivors has dramatically declined. Armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), and the Congolese military, are using sexual violence as a weapon of war, exploiting ethnic tensions, abductions, and attacks on civilians. Survivors face extreme challenges,… [Read More]

The Trump administration has announced plans to withdraw the United States from over 60 international organizations, conventions, and treaties, including key climate institutions such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This decision is part of a broader retreat from international climate engagement, framed… [Read More]

Children are disproportionately affected by crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture, and slavery, often in the context of widespread or systematic attacks on civilian populations. These atrocities can inflict physical and psychological harm that is more severe and long-lasting than for adults, affecting their development and wellbeing throughout their lives. Unlike war crimes or… [Read More]

Since January 8, 2026, Iranian authorities have escalated a deadly crackdown on protesters, with credible reports indicating large-scale killings carried out across the country. In response, the government imposed a nationwide internet blackout, severely restricting communications and making it extremely difficult to verify reports of unlawful killings and other human rights violations. Despite these restrictions,… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB), through its development arm EIB Global, has announced $150 million in financing for the Obelisk solar photovoltaic project in Egypt, marking the inauguration of the first phase of the plant in Qena Governorate. The event was attended by senior Egyptian officials, European Union representatives, and the project developer Scatec, highlighting… [Read More]

Investing at the intersection of gender and nature offers a significant opportunity for development finance institutions (DFIs) and multilateral development banks (MDBs) to generate both financial returns and meaningful development impacts. Women play a crucial role in advancing sustainability, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, water management, and energy, where they contribute to preserving… [Read More]

India has launched a major new funding initiative to accelerate the production of green hydrogen from biomass and other alternative feedstocks, with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council announcing support under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The programme makes available INR 100 crore to back pilot-scale demonstration projects, reflecting India’s push to diversify hydrogen production… [Read More]

Economists and UN partners are advancing the “Beyond GDP” initiative, arguing that global policymaking relies too heavily on Gross Domestic Product as the primary measure of progress, despite its inability to capture human wellbeing, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. Backed by UNCTAD and other UN bodies, the initiative reflects warnings from the UN Secretary-General that… [Read More]

Hearings have begun at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, marking the start of the merits phase in the landmark case brought by Gambia against Myanmar over alleged violations of the Genocide Convention. After years of preliminary legal arguments, the Court will now examine the substance of the case, with judges scheduled over… [Read More]