The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is financing the development of the Olavarría Wind Farm in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, alongside investments to expand transmission capacity along the Bahía Blanca–Abasto high-voltage corridor. The US$275 million project, co-developed with PCR (Petroquímica Comodoro Rivadavia S.A.) and Acindar Industria Argentina de Aceros… [Read More]
£1.67 Million Now Available Through Expanded Grant Scheme
The Social Investment Fund (SIF) in Guernsey has increased its grant funding for 2026 to a total of £1.67 million, offering significant support to charities and not-for-profit organizations. Of this, £330,000 is designated for small grants of up to £15,000, while £1.34 million is allocated for major grants exceeding £15,000, aimed at groups providing essential… [Read More]
Lebanon Crisis: Causes, Impact, and How You Can Help
Lebanon is facing a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis as renewed hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel intensify across the region. Since early March, airstrikes have targeted several areas including southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the Beirut–Mount Lebanon region. Evacuation orders affecting more than one hundred villages have forced tens of thousands of families to flee… [Read More]
Angola Strengthens Health Security with IHR Compliance Progress
Angola has taken an important step toward strengthening its national health security by completing the 2025 State Party Annual Report (SPAR), a key assessment tool under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). The report evaluates the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. Through this process, Angola has reviewed its progress… [Read More]
Government of Canada Boosts Support for Victims of Gender-Based Violence
The Government of Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that people across the country can live free from violence by strengthening support for individuals experiencing gender-based violence. As part of this effort, the federal government has announced an investment of $630,976 for the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters to address service gaps affecting at-risk… [Read More]
Funding to Improve Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
Women in Canada continue to face barriers when accessing sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion care, fertility treatment, endometriosis support, and menopause management. Many individuals encounter challenges such as stigma, discrimination, and geographic isolation, particularly in rural communities. Ensuring equitable access to accurate information, safe services, and compassionate care is essential for enabling women… [Read More]
Canada Funding to Boost the Prairies’ Forest Industry
Canada’s forest sector plays a vital role in supporting communities, creating jobs, and driving economic growth across the country. However, the industry is currently facing several challenges, including the impact of unfair trade measures from the United States. In response, the Government of Canada is taking steps to protect workers and strengthen the sector while… [Read More]
£100,000 Fund to Boost Women’s Participation in Public Decision-Making
A new £100,000 Engagement for Change Fund has been announced by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) to support women from Northern Ireland’s community and voluntary sector in influencing positive change and participating more actively in public decision-making. The three-year initiative aims to equip community leaders with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively represent their… [Read More]
Women Drive Seaweed Industry Growth in Zanzibar
Along the coast of Zanzibar, seaweed farming has become a vital source of livelihood for thousands of families. At low tide, many women work in shallow coastal waters cultivating seaweed tied to underwater lines. The activity has grown into one of the islands’ most important economic sectors, with more than 23,000 farmers involved, over 80… [Read More]
Employment-Intensive Investments Drive Rights and Justice for Women
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “Rights. Action. Justice. For all women and girls,” emphasizes the need to turn commitments to gender equality into practical changes in workplaces, communities, and economies. Employment-intensive investment programmes contribute to this goal by promoting women’s rights at work and expanding their access to decent employment opportunities. These… [Read More]
ILO Backs Skills Body to Transform Ethiopia’s Tourism Workforce
Ethiopia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its tourism and hospitality sector through a national consultation aimed at establishing a Sector Skills Body (SSB). The initiative seeks to address ongoing human resource challenges in the industry by improving coordination between employers and training institutions, ensuring that workforce development aligns with the real needs of… [Read More]
Addis Ababa Opens Daycare Centre for Domestic Workers with ILO Support
A new daycare centre for domestic workers has been launched in the Gulele Sub-City of Addis Ababa to provide safe and reliable childcare while supporting women’s participation in the labour market. The initiative was led by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with local government institutions, workers’ organizations, and community partners. By offering quality early… [Read More]
ILO Pilot Hub Helps Match Skills to Jobs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The International Labour Organization is piloting an AI-driven Job Hub in Bosnia and Herzegovina to help public employment services improve the matching of jobseekers with available vacancies and strengthen labour market intelligence. In the Western Balkans, job vacancy information is often scattered across multiple private job portals, while many employers advertise outside public systems. This… [Read More]
Zambia Starts 100 Days of Productivity Activism Campaign
The Government of Zambia has launched the “100 Days of Productivity Activism,” a nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening a culture of productivity across public institutions, private businesses, and communities. Led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the initiative was officially introduced on 5 March 2026 in Lusaka and encourages citizens to adopt simple… [Read More]
Rural Banks in Indonesia Advance Gender-Responsive Business Development
The International Labour Organization’s Promise II Impact project has been working with rural banks across Indonesia to strengthen support for women-owned micro and small enterprises, which play a vital role in the country’s economy. As part of this effort, a two-day workshop on gender-responsive business development was held in Surabaya in early February 2026. The… [Read More]
ILO and Zambia Launch Employment Impact Assessment for Luangwa–Mwami Road
Stakeholders from government institutions, labour organizations, development partners, and private sector representatives have officially validated and launched the Employment Impact Assessment (EmpIA) for the Luangwa–Mwami Road, a significant section of the Nacala Corridor. The launch took place on 4 March 2026 in Lusaka and marks an important step toward understanding the employment outcomes linked to… [Read More]
World Bank Financing Supports Angola’s Reform and Job Creation
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency’s Board of Directors have approved the first in a series of operations aimed at supporting Angola’s structural reform agenda and economic diversification. The initiative seeks to promote inclusive growth and expand job creation, particularly for the country’s large youth population. The operation… [Read More]
World Bank Supports South Africa Infrastructure Finance Plan
The World Bank has approved the South Africa Blended Finance Platform for Resilient Infrastructure Program, aimed at accelerating infrastructure investment, boosting job creation, and supporting economic growth. Central to the initiative is the establishment of a Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV), which will provide market-based credit guarantees to help reduce risks for investors and attract private… [Read More]
World Bank Pushes Jobs Agenda in Pacific Visit
The World Bank Group has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pacific Island countries in strengthening their economies, creating jobs, and attracting private investment through a regional visit by senior officials to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand. During the visit, the delegation engaged with government leaders and private sector partners to launch new… [Read More]
WFP: Higher Food and Fuel Prices Threaten to Increase Hunger
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that rising food and fuel prices linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East could intensify hunger among vulnerable populations both within the region and globally. The conflict has already had severe humanitarian consequences, including civilian casualties, large-scale displacement, and damage to essential infrastructure, while… [Read More]
IDB Backs Paraguay to Boost Business Innovation and Skills
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $10 million loan to help strengthen the innovation capacity of businesses and entrepreneurs in Paraguay through the Business Innovation Program II (PROINNOVA II), which will be implemented by the National Science and Technology Council (CONACYT). The program seeks to boost investment in innovation among established firms, encourage… [Read More]
Protecting Civilian Infrastructure in Armed Conflict
Protecting civilian infrastructure that supports essential services is critical for preventing both immediate and long-term suffering during armed conflicts. When facilities such as hospitals, schools, water systems, and energy networks are damaged or destroyed, civilians often face severe consequences that extend far beyond the initial attack. These impacts can include disrupted access to health care,… [Read More]
Five Ways Evidence Is Boosting Women’s Economic Participation
Women’s participation in the global labor force remains significantly lower than that of men, with just over half of women engaged in the workforce compared to about 80 percent of men. This disparity limits economic growth, as closing the gap could increase average national incomes by nearly 20 percent. With around 1.2 billion young people… [Read More]
