A new reading group in Dumbarton has secured more than £5,000 in funding from the Dumbarton Common Good Fund to support the launch of The 2 Rivers Children’s Book Festival. The grant, approved by the Corporate Services Committee, will help the group plan, promote, and host the first year of the festival, which aims to… [Read More]
Sharing Zero-Emission HGV Infrastructure: Accelerating Clean Transport Adoption
The transition to zero-emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) presents both opportunities and challenges for the UK’s freight sector. Sharing charging and refuelling infrastructure has the potential to lower costs, increase resilience, and accelerate adoption. The UK Government’s flagship Zero-Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, supported by £200 million in investment, is exploring these issues… [Read More]
Mozambique Gender Statistics & Monitoring Workshop for Capacity Building
The workshop aims to strengthen Mozambique’s national gender monitoring and reporting framework through specialized technical sessions and capacity-building activities. It will provide training on key aspects of gender monitoring and reporting, enabling participants to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to improve existing systems and practices. An important component of the workshop is the… [Read More]
IDEP Launches Free Online Course on Integrated Development Planning (Sept 8 – Oct 9, 2025)
Africa’s development faces multiple constraints that limit its ability to achieve full potential. Key challenges include limited economic diversification, weak production capacity, rapid demographic growth, and the intensifying effects of climate change. These issues are compounded by poor governance, political instability, and geopolitical tensions, all of which hinder sustainable progress. The continent’s heavy reliance on… [Read More]
Experts Approve Report on Cross-Border Cocoa and Rice Value Chains in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
In a major step to boost regional trade and agricultural development, stakeholders from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana convened to review a draft assessment report on cross-border cocoa and rice value chains. The initiative, led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and ECOWAS, seeks to… [Read More]
Skills Development Fund to Train 2,900 Youth and Workers for In-Demand Jobs Amid U.S. Tariffs
The Ontario government is investing more than $5 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to support over 2,900 youth, jobseekers, and apprentices in the Northumberland and Peterborough regions. The funding will help participants prepare for in-demand careers in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, aviation, and other skilled trades. This initiative is part… [Read More]
Minister Foley Unveils €4.2m Bia Blasta Lunch Scheme for Preschoolers in Disadvantaged Areas
The Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley TD, has announced the launch of Bia Blasta (Delicious Food), a new pre-school nutrition programme aimed at providing daily lunches for children in disadvantaged areas. With funding of around €4.2 million, the initiative will ensure that 25,000 children receive nutritious meals while attending early learning and… [Read More]
Ireland Invests €10m to Support and Sustain Public Interest Journalism
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, has announced an allocation of €10 million to Coimisiún na Meán to strengthen public interest journalism. Of this funding, €6 million will go towards the continuation of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes, while €4 million will support the introduction of a new News Reporting Scheme…. [Read More]
Minister Foley Grants Over €1 Million for Digital and Assistive Technology Projects Supporting People with Disabilities
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD has announced more than €1 million in funding for new digital and assistive technology projects aimed at supporting people with disabilities. The initiative is designed to assist individuals with sensory, cognitive, physical, and intellectual disabilities, as well as older people facing daily challenges and those living… [Read More]
Minister Calleary Approves €1.9 Million Funding for Language Assistants Scheme in Ireland
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced the extension of the Language Assistants Scheme for the 2025/26 school year, along with a 10% pay increase for language assistants. The overall package amounts to €1.964 million, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to supporting Irish language education. Established in… [Read More]
Investing in Water Infrastructure Upgrades on Vancouver Island to Strengthen Communities
Two communities on Vancouver Island will see significant upgrades to their water infrastructure thanks to a combined investment of more than $5.25 million from federal, provincial, and municipal partners. These projects aim to strengthen wastewater treatment, improve stormwater management, and enhance community resilience against environmental challenges. In North Cowichan, the Crofton Sewage Treatment Plant will… [Read More]
ILO Launches New Project to Strengthen Worker Protections in Lao PDR
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to strengthen worker protections against violence, discrimination, and child labour, while supporting the country in meeting international labour standards. The initiative, titled “Promoting Trade in Lao PDR by eliminating Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Child Labour”, is funded by the… [Read More]
ILO Launches Global Policy Tracker to Regulate Digital Labour Platforms
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new global policy tracker that offers a comprehensive overview of legislative initiatives on digital labour platforms. This tool is designed to support governments, as well as employers’ and workers’ representatives, by providing information that can guide discussions and help foster decent work in the fast-growing platform economy…. [Read More]
ILO and AFTECH Partner to Expand Financial Access for Dairy Farmers with Digital Innovation
Indonesia’s dairy sector is witnessing increasing opportunities for investment, fueled by rising domestic demand and government initiatives such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program. However, local production currently supplies less than a quarter of national consumption, largely from smallholder farmers, highlighting the need for greater financing to expand herds, modernize farms, and strengthen supply chains…. [Read More]
ADB and UN Collaborate to Launch Climate Insurance for Businesses in Fiji
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) are joining forces to establish an insurance market tailored for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji. These businesses, which play a major role in the country’s economy, face increasing risks from extreme weather events. The… [Read More]
Surigao City Advances SDG Localization with UN Joint Programme Support
The Localize to Realize (L2R) joint programme, led by the United Nations Philippines in partnership with government, private sector, and communities, has concluded in Surigao City, leaving behind a strong model for aligning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the needs of vulnerable groups such as the Sama Bajau and informal settler families (ISFs). Implemented… [Read More]
My Journey to Empowering Youth Participation in Decision-Making
At the age of thirteen, my journey toward youth participation began when UNICEF’s Retorno a la Alegría strategy reached my neighborhood. The program trained adolescent volunteers to support children facing difficult circumstances, and for me, it was a turning point. It gave me more than just a safe space—it showed me that my voice mattered…. [Read More]
UN Resident Coordinators Driving Development Impact in Nepal and Panama
At the recent Financing for Development Summit in Seville, UN Resident Coordinators Hanaa Singer-Hamdy of Nepal and Ana Graça of Panama highlighted how the UN is driving impact at the country level by forging partnerships, strengthening financing ecosystems, and advancing inclusive development solutions. Their work demonstrates the crucial role Resident Coordinators play in ensuring that… [Read More]
UNDP Launches Young Africa Innovates Programme Outreach in Senior High Schools
Innovation holds the potential to transform communities and create new opportunities for future generations, but to be impactful, it must be inclusive. Recognizing this, the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) programme—implemented by UNDP in partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Education and funded by the Mastercard Foundation—has launched a school outreach initiative to engage and support young… [Read More]
Republic of Congo, AfDB Sign $602,000 Grant Deal to Rebase National Accounts
The Government of the Republic of Congo has signed a $602,000 grant agreement with the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to rebase its national accounts, a move aimed at modernising the country’s economic statistics and improving fiscal transparency. The agreement was signed on August 4 in Brazzaville by Minister of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration… [Read More]
Namibia Adopts ICT Initiative for Remote Monitoring of Development Projects
Namibia has officially joined 37 other African countries in adopting advanced technology for development project management through the launch of the Remote Appraisal, Supervision, Monitoring, and Evaluation (RASME) project. The initiative was unveiled in Windhoek by senior government officials in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB). The RASME platform represents a transformative shift in… [Read More]
Coventry Student’s £30,000 Scholarship Aims to Tackle Global Poverty
Coventry Student Secures Prestigious Scholarship to Combat Global Inequality Eighteen-year-old Nikita Lal has been awarded a life-changing £30,000 scholarship to study Global Financial Planning at Coventry University. Her ambition is to tackle global financial inequalities and reduce poverty through enhanced financial literacy. A Vision for Financial Empowerment Nikita’s passion for finance stems from its potential… [Read More]
Chad’s Opposition Leader Succès Masra Sentenced to 20 Years Amidst Political Crackdown
Opposition Leader Sentenced to Two Decades in Chad Chad’s main opposition leader, Succès Masra, has been handed a 20-year prison sentence by a criminal court in Ndjamena. Human Rights Watch condemned the verdict, labeling the charges as politically motivated and a severe blow to democratic freedoms in the country. Masra, a former prime minister and… [Read More]
