In Vailele, a village near Apia, Samoa, a group of women gather in the traditional meeting house (fale) to discuss their community’s priorities—this time, without the presence of men. It marks a shift in village governance, where women are now active participants in addressing issues like gender-based violence. Local resident Taufanua Lemanu explains that through… [Read More]
€2.7 Million in Funding Available Under EIST Programme for Employment, Skills, and Inclusion Projects
The Irish Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, has announced a new funding initiative of up to €2.7 million aimed at enhancing the integration and employment opportunities of migrants in Ireland. This initiative is part of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme 2021–2027, which is co-funded by the European Social Fund Plus… [Read More]
Japan and WFP Deliver Emergency Food Aid to Flood and Drought-Affected Families in Burundi
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a US$1 million contribution from the Government of Japan to deliver emergency food assistance to 18,000 people in Burundi affected by extreme weather events. A ceremony in Bujumbura marked the announcement, attended by senior government and diplomatic officials, including Burundi’s Permanent Secretary for Social Affairs and… [Read More]
ADB Approves $150 Million to Strengthen Technical and Vocational Education in Bangladesh
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh have signed a $150 million loan agreement aimed at improving the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system. The initiative is designed to boost access to quality employment opportunities and enhance Bangladesh’s global competitiveness through workforce development. The signing ceremony took place in… [Read More]
ILO Welcomes G20 Commitments to Youth Employment and Gender Equality Goals
At the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting (LEMM) held in George, South Africa, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo urged global leaders to renew their ambition in tackling inequality and to prioritize the inclusion of young people and women in labour markets. Speaking under the overarching theme of Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability, Houngbo welcomed the… [Read More]
World Bank Group Strengthens Job Creation and Economic Resilience in the Pacific Region
Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, recently completed a week-long visit to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, where she emphasized the need for innovative approaches to job creation and economic resilience in the Pacific. Her visit focused on accelerating development outcomes and ensuring that World Bank-supported initiatives deliver tangible benefits to… [Read More]
Madagascar Partners with World Bank and CRS to Boost National Resilience to Climate Risks
In Madagascar’s southern Androy and Anosy regions, communities face extreme socio-economic and environmental hardship. Limited employment opportunities, coupled with chronic drought and windstorms like the locally known Tiomena, have left residents vulnerable. Agriculture, livestock, and livelihoods have suffered severe losses, placing ongoing pressure on food security and community resilience. To address these issues, the Government… [Read More]
World Bank Backs El Salvador with New Funding for Economic Stability and Climate Resilience
The World Bank has approved a new loan to support El Salvador in strengthening its fiscal sustainability and improving its ability to respond to natural disasters and climate change. The financing package, totaling US$350 million, includes a US$100 million Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option (Cat DDO), which can be accessed following an official emergency declaration caused… [Read More]
Oyo State Hosts New Agro-Processing Hub to Drive Nigeria’s Industrial Agriculture
Nigeria has officially launched a new Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Oyo State, representing a significant stride in the country’s agricultural transformation and rural industrialization efforts. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in Ijaiye, near Ibadan, and was attended by prominent national and international dignitaries, including Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank… [Read More]
African Nations Shift Toward Healthcare Funding Autonomy Amid Aid Reductions
African countries are preparing to transition toward greater financial independence in healthcare development as international aid declines. This shift was highlighted by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. Ghebreyesus emphasized that the WHO is committed to supporting this transition, especially in… [Read More]
Africa CDC and EU Launch Initiative to Boost Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the European Commission have launched the Partnership to Accelerate Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa (PAMTA), a new initiative aimed at strengthening diagnostics, outbreak response, and local manufacturing for Mpox and other priority diseases. Co-funded by the EU4Health 2024 Work Programme, the €9.4 million… [Read More]
Unmind Raises $35M to Scale AI-Powered Workplace Mental Health Platform
Unmind, a leading enterprise mental health platform, has announced a new investment from TELUS Global Ventures as part of a $35 million funding round. This investment aims to enhance employees’ ability to access and utilize employer-provided mental health services. The funding will support Unmind’s expansion in the United States and globally, providing a unified platform… [Read More]
Indonesia Unveils Global Accelerator Roadmap to Boost Self-Sufficiency and Human Capital
Indonesia, as one of the pathfinder countries of the Global Accelerator, formally endorsed its national roadmap for the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions on 10 June 2025. This endorsement reflects Indonesia’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in addressing poverty, reducing social disparities, and enhancing labour productivity… [Read More]
UN Fund Transforms $1 into $19: A Game-Changer for Global Development
The UN Joint SDG Fund is emerging as a powerful yet underrecognized force in global development, transforming each $1 into $19 of impact. Supported by governments around the world, the Fund has already improved the lives of over 200 million people. At a recent gathering at the UN headquarters, development leaders emphasized the Fund’s pivotal… [Read More]
Tsunami Safety for Kids: Save the Children Shares 9 Life-Saving Tips
Following the magnitude 8.8 earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula that triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific, Save the Children has shared critical safety advice to help parents protect their children during such emergencies. When a tsunami alert is issued, families should immediately prepare to move to safer areas. Earthquakes often bring aftershocks that may trigger… [Read More]
Inter-American Development Bank Seeks AI Innovations to Transform Education
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in collaboration with Ceibal and implemented by Socialab, has launched a regional initiative titled “AI Here!” to identify and support the integration of artificial intelligence in education across Latin America and the Caribbean. The call for proposals is open from July 15 to August 15, 2025, and specifically targets AI-driven… [Read More]
Ireland Pledges €2 Million to Support World Food Programme Aid in Gaza
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, has announced an emergency funding package of €2 million to support the World Food Programme (WFP) in delivering food to people in Gaza. This assistance comes as Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis, with famine looming and significant challenges to aid delivery due to restrictions… [Read More]
Minister Burke Highlights €1 Billion Funding Gap for Scaling Irish Enterprises
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, has released a new report titled “Market Demand for and Supply of Scaling Finance in Ireland.” The report highlights a significant shortfall in equity financing available to Irish enterprises at the scaling stage of their development. This financing gap is estimated at approximately €1.1 billion over the… [Read More]
EU Renews Crucial Support for WFP’s Lifesaving Food Assistance in Algeria
The European Union has renewed its support for Sahrawi refugees in Algeria by continuing its annual funding of €5 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This funding supports food assistance for over 133,000 vulnerable people living in long-term displacement in remote camps near Tindouf. The contribution enters its second year as part… [Read More]
Over 40% in English- and Dutch-Speaking Caribbean Face Daily Food Insecurity
Nearly 3.2 million people in the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean are currently food insecure, according to the latest Food Security and Livelihoods Survey conducted by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and CARICOM. In 2025, 30% of the population reported eating less than usual, reflecting a continuing trend driven by rising food prices linked to… [Read More]
Japan Supports Lesotho’s Fight Against Hunger and Malnutrition
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a significant contribution of JPY 200 million (approximately US$1.36 million) from the Government of Japan to support Lesotho’s national school feeding programme. This funding will be used over the next year to provide hot, nutritious meals to 50,000 pre-primary school children across the country. The contribution… [Read More]
Apply Now: E-Learning Course on Decentralization and SDG Localization in Asia-Pacific
Registration is now open for the 2025 edition of the e-learning course on Decentralization, Local Governance, and Localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Asia and the Pacific. This tutored course is tailored to the learning needs of Asian Development Bank (ADB) staff and government officials from ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs). The program is organized… [Read More]
Sandpit Workshop on Slavery Pasts Sparks Dialogue on Historical Injustice and Memory
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is organizing a sandpit workshop from August 25 to 29, 2025, as part of the NWA-Call titled “Slavery pasts: (understudied forms of) impacts and perspectives.” This workshop offers an intensive, collaborative environment designed to foster co-creation, with strong emphasis on inclusion and equality among participants. Special attention will be given… [Read More]
