Across Kenya, young innovators are turning local challenges into opportunities through digital solutions. From the bustling tech hubs in Nairobi to the Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) in rural areas, youth engaged through DigiKen’s network are proving that transformation can begin with bold ideas, digital tools, and community-driven action rather than massive infrastructure or outside intervention…. [Read More]
African Development Bank Launches First-Ever Mapping of Women Entrepreneurs’ Associations Across Africa
The African Development Bank has released the results of a pioneering study mapping women entrepreneurs’ associations in sixteen African countries, uncovering significant capacity gaps that limit their economic influence. The study, launched on 6 August in Nouakchott, found that although nearly one in four African women is an entrepreneur, 87 percent of associations lack financial… [Read More]
Africa’s Financial Sector Endorses New Continental Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
Africa’s financial sector has taken a major step toward aligning with global climate and sustainability goals with the validation of a continent-wide Sustainable Finance Taxonomy. Endorsed by regulators, commercial banks, insurance firms, and development finance institutions, the framework was formally validated in Nairobi on July 16–17. Developed through the African Development Bank’s African Financial Alliance… [Read More]
AfDB Supports AI Training to Accelerate Africa’s Agenda 2063 Goals
The African Development Bank is backing a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) training initiative aimed at advancing the implementation of Africa’s development blueprint, Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. Through its Joint Secretariat Support Office, the Bank provided technical and financial assistance for the 5th Annual Training Workshop for African Union Member States on leveraging AI… [Read More]
Ethiopian Airlines and AfDB Partner on $10 Billion Mega-Airport Project
Ethiopia has taken a major step toward building the new Bishoftu International Airport, a $10 billion mega-project designed to rival some of the world’s largest airports. In a high-profile signing ceremony, the African Development Bank (AfDB) was confirmed as the initial mandated lead arranger, global coordinator, and book runner, tasked with mobilizing nearly $8 billion… [Read More]
Fly Me to the Moon: Exploring Humanity’s Next Space Frontier
In Asia and the Pacific, over 700 million young people represent the region’s greatest potential for human development. Their creativity, energy, and innovation have the power to reshape economies, cultures, and communities. However, many face barriers such as limited access to finance, gender discrimination, and knowledge gaps, which restrict how far they can advance. UNDP’s… [Read More]
How €300 Million in Research Funding Descended Into Chaos
The Greek government’s flagship plan to channel €300 million from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility into public universities has unraveled into delays, questionable evaluations, and looming legal disputes. Originally intended to strengthen research capacity—particularly for young scientists—the initiative has instead become one of the most mismanaged funding efforts in recent memory, with three separate… [Read More]
EU4Health 2025 Opens with €570M in Funding Opportunities
The Health Research Board (HRB), as Ireland’s National Focal Point (NFP) for EU4Health, is supporting eligible applicants in securing funding from the European Union’s largest public health programme. With a total budget of €4.4 billion over seven years, EU4Health addresses Europe’s most urgent health challenges while strengthening preparedness for the future. Since its launch in… [Read More]
EDP Announces R$650,000 Call for Proposals to Fund Solar Energy in Social Organizations
EDP has launched the Solar Social call for proposals to invest up to R$650,000 in installing solar energy systems in 20 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) located within its concession areas in São Paulo and Espírito Santo. Each selected organization will receive a photovoltaic system with a capacity of up to 5 kWp, aiming to reduce… [Read More]
Liberia Trains 30 Journalists in Investigative Reporting to Fight Corruption
Under the theme “Uncovering the Facts: Strengthening Integrity Through Journalism,” the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UN-PBF), organized a two-day training workshop to boost investigative journalism in Liberia. The event brought together 30 journalists—two from each of the… [Read More]
University of Limerick Researchers to Lead €4M Cross-Border Cybersecurity Initiative
The University of Limerick (UL) will lead a major €4 million research initiative, CyberUnite, to strengthen the cybersecurity of cross-border critical infrastructure. Co-led by Professor Donna O’Shea of UL’s School of Engineering and Dr. Kieran McLaughlin of Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Secure Information Technologies, the project marks the first time an Irish government agency… [Read More]
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Youth: Shaping a Better Future Through Innovation and Action
In Brčko District, the short film Igra (The Game), produced by the civil society organization Forum with UNDP support, has been making a powerful impact. Addressing the dangers of small arms and light weapons, it has been screened in nearly 200 schools across eight cantons and Brčko District, reaching over 13,000 students. The project reflects… [Read More]
Mobility and Health: Understanding the Strong Link Between Movement and Well-Being
The Volkswagen Foundation, Novo Nordisk Fonden, and Wellcome Trust have launched the funding initiative Transdisciplinary Approaches to Mobility and Global Health to explore the complex relationship between mobility trends and health systems. Five international research projects have been awarded a total of €7.1 million to address critical global health challenges, including skilled worker shortages in… [Read More]
€4.17M Dormant Accounts Funding Announced for 2025 Sports and Community Projects in Ireland
The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, in collaboration with Sport Ireland, has announced an investment of €4.17 million in Dormant Accounts Funding for 2025. This funding will support a wide range of community sports and physical activity initiatives across Ireland. The initiative aims to increase access to sport for people of all abilities and… [Read More]
Jobs for the Future Secures $19.5 Million Grant to Expand National Fair Chance to Advance Initiative
Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming education and workforce systems in the U.S., has been awarded a $19.5 million grant from Ascendium Education Group to advance its Fair Chance to Advance initiative. This program, launched in 2024 and led by JFF’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, aims to break… [Read More]
Albertsons and Tom Thumb Foundation Grant $3 Million to North Texas Food Bank to Fight Hunger
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) has been awarded a $3 million multi-year grant from the Albertsons and Tom Thumb Foundation to support the food bank’s new strategic initiative, Fulfilling Futures. This grant is part of the Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Innovation Spark Grant program, which recognizes nonprofits that develop innovative programs aimed at creating long-term… [Read More]
Foundation Awards Over $1.4 Million in Grants During Second Quarter
The Initiative Foundation and its Partner Funds awarded a total of 147 grants exceeding $1.4 million during the second quarter of 2025. A notable grant included a $500,000 donation from the Memorial Hospital Foundation, a Partner Fund, to New Pathways in Cambridge, aimed at supporting a permanent family shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Additionally, a… [Read More]
$1 Million Funding Boost to Enhance Support for People with Disabilities
The Minns Labor Government has allocated over $1 million in grants to support people with disability throughout the state. This funding, distributed through the 2024-25 Disability Advocacy Futures Program (DAFP), will be shared among thirteen not-for-profit organisations. The grants aim to build capacity within the disability sector, extend support to individuals not covered by the… [Read More]
Nigerian Food Delivery Startup Chowdeck Raises $9M from Novastar and Y Combinator
Chowdeck, a Lagos-based food delivery startup known for its profitability in a challenging, low-margin market, recently secured $9 million in Series A funding. This round, led by Novastar Ventures and supported by Y Combinator and other investors, aims to fuel Chowdeck’s quick commerce strategy and geographic expansion into more Nigerian and Ghanaian cities. The investment… [Read More]
Kenya’s Clean Energy Startups Capture 83% of Africa’s $550M July 2025 Funding
Kenya’s clean energy startups led Africa’s July 2025 funding surge by securing 83% of the continent’s $550 million investment, marking a significant shift in the region’s startup ecosystem. This surge was primarily driven by two major Kenyan companies and highlighted a growing investor preference for sustainable solutions and debt financing. Meanwhile, Nigeria, historically Africa’s venture… [Read More]
Medical Research Future Fund: Empowering Researchers to Address Australia’s Top Health Priorities
Between 2022 and 2024, the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) invested $1.38 billion in new health and medical research projects across Australia. This investment was distributed through 578 competitive grants focused on a variety of priority areas such as First Nations health, clinical trials, regional, rural and remote health, public health, health services, and consumer-led… [Read More]
New $3 Million Initiative Strengthens Partnerships to Boost Youth Outcomes
The New Zealand government has introduced a $3 million Youth Development Partnership and Innovation Fund aimed at improving outcomes for at-risk young people aged 12 to 24. Announced by Minister for Youth James Meager on International Youth Day, this fund offers matched funding to businesses, iwi, charities, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations to deliver early intervention… [Read More]
Lambeth Council Pledges £1.5 Million to Empower Local Community Organisations
Lambeth Council has committed £1.5 million through the Community Connections Fund to support a diverse range of organisations across Brixton, Stockwell, North Lambeth, and Waterloo. This fund provides grants to community-led projects aimed at helping local communities thrive. The money comes from the Neighbourhood Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), a tax on property developers that ensures local… [Read More]
