Somalia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has awarded a total of $50,000 in innovation grants to 10 companies that emerged as winners of the 2025 Open Innovation Competition for Somali Farmers. The initiative recognizes enterprises that have demonstrated strong progress in agricultural production, business innovation, and job creation, with the goal of strengthening the country’s… [Read More]

Niger’s military authorities adopted a sweeping “general mobilization” decree on December 26, granting the state extensive powers in the name of addressing security threats. While the authorities say the measure is designed to protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and public safety, it significantly expands government authority in ways that place fundamental human rights at risk…. [Read More]

As Benin approaches a series of national elections in 2026, human rights organisations are urging candidates to place the protection of fundamental rights at the centre of their political agendas. Amnesty International and 13 civil society groups have jointly called on those contesting the legislative and municipal elections in January and the presidential election in… [Read More]

Humanitarian support to Palestinians is facing an unprecedented challenge following actions by Israeli authorities that directly affect the ability of aid organisations to operate. On 30 December, the Norwegian Refugee Council was formally notified that its registration would expire the following day unless it handed over sensitive personal data of its staff. Dozens of other… [Read More]

At a gathering at the Peace Palace in The Hague, civil society organisations from across sectors raised urgent concerns about a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting their work. Coordinated with the International Civil Society Centre, organisations such as WaterAid International, Doctors Without Borders, and Reporters Without Borders warned that digital threats are increasingly being used… [Read More]

The explosion at the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020 marked a turning point in the life of Marina El Khawand, who was just 18 years old at the time. As Lebanon descended deeper into economic, political, and healthcare crises following the blast, the COVID-19 pandemic, and months of unrest, she was urged by… [Read More]

The global refugee population has grown dramatically over the past decade, driven by escalating conflicts and climate-related disasters, reaching an unprecedented 43 million people. Around 60 percent of refugees live in countries experiencing food crises, often enduring prolonged displacement that lasts an average of 20 years. In these conditions, many refugees remain dependent on long-term… [Read More]

The Kosciusko County Community Foundation has received a $1.5 million Community Support Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of the ninth phase of the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative. The grant is intended to strengthen the foundation’s ability to serve local needs and support long-term community development across Kosciusko County. The… [Read More]

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded over $4.3 million in grant funding to 134 nonprofit organizations through its 2025 Community Grants program. This funding, made possible by the generosity of donors both past and present, comes from a mix of fund types, including flexible funds, field-of-interest funds, and donor-advised funds, and is designed to… [Read More]

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for its Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Urban Agriculture Grants. This year, the program offers two distinct opportunities: the AGRI Urban Agriculture Youth Education Grant, which supports projects that establish or expand agriculture-based education programs for youth, and the AGRI Urban Agriculture Community and… [Read More]

In late June and early July 2024, Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm, swept across southern Jamaica, affecting roughly 160,000 people and causing localized damage, particularly to agriculture. A little over a year later, on 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa struck with even greater force, crossing the island and leaving widespread devastation across multiple parishes…. [Read More]

Leadership in education in Rwanda extends far beyond administrative duties; it is rooted in vision, service, and the ability to solve daily challenges in resource-constrained environments with high expectations. As a head teacher under the Ministry of Education, I have seen firsthand how effective leadership shapes learning outcomes and school culture. In Ngororero District, our… [Read More]

An Istanbul court has acquitted the president and ten members of the executive board of the Istanbul Bar Association of charges related to terrorist propaganda, a decision welcomed by Amnesty International. Esther Major, Deputy Director for Research in Europe at Amnesty, described the ruling as a relief, emphasizing that the case was a clear misuse… [Read More]

Since 28 December 2025, Iran has experienced widespread protests that began in Tehran following a sharp currency collapse and rising inflation, with demonstrators calling for the fall of the Islamic Republic system. The protests quickly spread to cities across the country, prompting a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities involving unlawful use of force, firearms, and… [Read More]

Up to £7 million in grant funding is now available for companies advancing clean energy access across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, and Latin America. This funding forms part of the Energy Catalyst Round 11 programme, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to supporting innovative clean energy technologies that contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 7… [Read More]

Fraser Coast community groups and not-for-profit organisations are being encouraged to apply for the final round of the 2025–26 Community Grants Program, with over $194,000 in funding available. Applications are open until 26 February 2026. Councillor Phil Truscott highlighted that grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 can support projects, equipment purchases, and events that deliver… [Read More]

Twenty community groups in Hull have been awarded over £68,000 in funding through the Hull Community Fund, marking the second round of grants since the fund’s launch in 2024. The funding aims to address local needs across health and wellbeing, education, culture, and the environment. The grants are expected to benefit more than 18,000 residents… [Read More]

A project focused on removing lead pollution from water and soil in Zambia has won the 2026 Irish Aid / Self Help Africa Science for Development Award at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. The winning project, titled “Solutions to Combat Lead Pollution in Soil and Water in Kabwe, Zambia”, was developed by King’s… [Read More]

The Irish government has approved funding for a new domestic violence refuge in Dundalk, announced jointly by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, and the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan. The €6.5 million project, led by Women’s Aid Dundalk, will now move forward with the formal awarding… [Read More]

The National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is launching a new initiative, Defence Industry Assist (DI Assist), aimed at providing funding and expert advice to high-potential Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing made-in-Canada defence and dual-use technologies. Announced by Minister Mélanie Joly on January 9, 2026, the program is… [Read More]

Latest UN data shows that conflict in Sudan has uprooted 9.3 million people internally, with over 4.3 million fleeing across borders, placing immense pressure on neighbouring countries. At the same time, more than 21 million people across the country are acutely food insecure, facing severe shortages of basic necessities. Although some displaced individuals have returned… [Read More]

UNMISS released its latest quarterly human rights brief covering July to September 2025, highlighting a continued deterioration in South Sudan’s political and security situation. The period was marked by persistent inter- and intra-communal violence involving community militias and civil defence groups, hostilities between warring parties and other armed actors—including alleged foreign involvement—heightened political tensions between… [Read More]

Following the release of the White House Memorandum, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reaffirmed that the Organization will continue to carry out its mandates from Member States “with determination.” The memorandum, issued by the US administration, states that the country is “ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.” While… [Read More]