The World Bank has approved the Second Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP2), aimed at strengthening Kenya’s social protection systems and expanding safety net support to 12 million people. This initiative will target vulnerable groups including the elderly, women, adolescents, and children, with a strong focus on promoting human capital development and economic inclusion…. [Read More]
U.S. Philanthropies Unite to Expand Economic Opportunity and Mobility Nationwide
A coalition of prominent philanthropies—including the Ballmer Group, Gates Foundation, Stand Together, Valhalla Foundation, and John Overdeck—has launched NextLadder Ventures, a $1 billion initiative aimed at advancing economic mobility for low-income Americans. The initiative focuses on deploying personalized, technology-driven solutions that help individuals and families navigate life challenges such as job loss, housing instability, and… [Read More]
Sierra Leone Receives 500 Metric Tons of White Rice from ECOWAS to Bolster Food Security
Following a 2024 food security vulnerability analysis, the ECOWAS Commission committed to assisting its Member States, including Sierra Leone, through the deployment of food stocks from its Regional Food Security Reserve. Although the support was initially scheduled earlier, the intervention in Sierra Leone was delayed and carried out on July 14, 2025. In a formal… [Read More]
African Development Bank Approves Energy Access Financing for Rwanda
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved €173.84 million for Rwanda’s Energy Sector Result-Based Financing (RBF II) program. This initiative aims to modernize Rwanda’s electricity infrastructure, expand clean energy access, and enhance institutional capacity within the sector. An additional €86.92 million in co-financing will be provided by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank… [Read More]
UK Opens £100K Grant Programme for Digital Urban Innovation
Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, built environment, and local growth, has launched a call for applications for its new Diatomic Digital Accelerator in the West Midlands. The programme aims to support up to ten SMEs based in the region with innovative digital solutions that address key urban planning and development needs… [Read More]
11 High-Impact Projects Backed by 76th Consultative Committee to Support Over 11 Million Smallholders
The 76th Consultative Committee (CC76) of the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) convened in Amsterdam from 7–10 July 2025, resulting in the recommendation of 11 impactful investment projects. These projects aim to promote inclusive development in commodity-dependent countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Collectively, they are expected to benefit more than 11.1 million… [Read More]
EIB, Rabobank, and DLL Partner to Provide €1 Billion for Sustainable SME Financing in Europe
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed two loan agreements of €250 million each with Rabobank and its subsidiary DLL to support financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies in Europe. These facilities aim to improve access to funding for businesses investing in sustainability and the energy transition. The facility with Rabobank… [Read More]
EIB Group Approves Over €15 Billion in New Investments Across Key Sectors
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund (EIF) Boards have approved a combined €15.5 billion in new financing. This funding will support business innovation, transport and energy infrastructure, housing, education, and water resilience projects. Specifically, €14.5 billion was approved by the EIB Board, while the EIF Board authorized €1 billion in new commitments… [Read More]
Ireland Against Racism Fund 2025 Announced by Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy
The Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Ireland Against Racism Fund. This initiative, which forms a central component of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), is designed to support non-government and community organisations in delivering projects that address racism and promote racial equality throughout… [Read More]
Minister O’Brien Commits €5 Million to Advance District Heating Projects in Ireland
The Irish Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment has approved a €5 million allocation from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support the pre-construction development costs of efficient district heating projects across the country. This early-stage investment is intended to advance the readiness of such projects and facilitate future development of district heating networks…. [Read More]
AIIB, NaBFID Collaborate to Accelerate Climate and Infrastructure Investments in India
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) have signed a letter of intent to advance the development of sustainable infrastructure in India, with a strong focus on climate adaptation and mitigation. This strategic agreement aims to accelerate the pace of climate-resilient infrastructure growth in line with… [Read More]
AIIB Approves $100 Million Facility for VPBank to Boost Climate Finance and Infrastructure in Viet Nam
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Viet Nam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) have signed a USD 100 million on-lending facility to promote sustainable infrastructure and support climate mitigation in Viet Nam. This agreement is aimed at expanding VPBank’s capacity to finance green and climate-resilient initiatives. The new facility will help VPBank fund… [Read More]
UN Leaders Debate AI’s Role in Modern Health Care and Traditional Medicine
The AI for Good Global Summit featured a dedicated session on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in both modern health care and traditional medicine, with keynote addresses from leading international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). As the United Nations’… [Read More]
FFD4 Summit Calls for Strong Political Leadership on Gender Equality
At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in Sevilla, Hivos co-hosted a side event titled “Financing for Development and Gender Equality: A Feminist Agenda for Action for Sevilla and Beyond.” The event convened ministers, feminist activists, and development partners from around the world. Despite the broader conference’s limited outcomes, the side event… [Read More]
Amazon Supports Summer Hunger Relief with $25,000 Donation to FIND Food Bank
On June 26, Amazon visited FIND Food Bank to strengthen its ongoing partnership in combating summer hunger. During the fourth annual event, Amazon donated $25,000—equivalent to 100,000 meals—and delivered an Amazon van filled with food, health, and household products to support FIND’s efforts in addressing seasonal food insecurity. Summer poses added challenges for the desert… [Read More]
Solomon Islands Launches Life-Saving HPV Vaccination Program for Young Girls
The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), in collaboration with development partners and donors, officially launched the HPV Vaccination Big Catch-up campaign on 16 July 2025. The campaign aims to protect girls aged 9 to 14 from cervical cancer, the most prevalent cancer among women in the country. The event was held… [Read More]
A Stronger Europe: Key Priorities in the 2028–2034 EU Budget
The European Commission has introduced a proposal for a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, amounting to nearly EUR 2 trillion. Representing 1.26% of the EU’s gross national income, the MFF is designed to support the EU’s long-term ambitions for prosperity, independence, and resilience in a changing global environment. In response to mounting challenges—including… [Read More]
B.C. Businesses to Benefit from PacifiCan’s Investment in Trade and Export Expansion
PacifiCan Investment Announced to Support B.C. Businesses in Trade and Export On July 16, 2025, in Kelowna, British Columbia, the Government of Canada, through Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced a $2.5 million investment to support companies across B.C. in expanding to new markets and managing trade challenges, such as tariffs. This investment highlights PacifiCan’s… [Read More]
€50 Million EIB Global Loan to Support Infrastructure and Growth in Syunik, Armenia
The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, is providing a €50 million loan to the Republic of Armenia aimed at strengthening socio-economic development in Syunik Province. The financing will support improvements in key infrastructure sectors including water supply, healthcare, and education. This investment forms part of the Resilient Syunik Team Europe Initiative, a program… [Read More]
A Decade of Impact: IOM Recognized for Disaster Response Efforts in Micronesia
The Pohnpei State Legislature has formally recognized the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for its significant contributions to disaster preparedness and response across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). On 3 June 2025, lawmakers passed a resolution commending IOM’s efforts in safeguarding lives, minimizing disaster risks, and reaching remote and vulnerable communities. For more than… [Read More]
Call for Safety and Anxiety-Reducing Solutions at Bristol Temple Meads Testbed
Connected Places Catapult, the UK’s innovation accelerator for transport and the built environment, has opened applications for the next cohort of the Station Innovation Zone, a program designed to support up to eight small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing solutions to improve passenger safety and experience. This initiative, now in its fourth year and run… [Read More]
Main Street America Academy Launches to Strengthen Community Revitalization Leaders
The Main Street America Academy has officially launched, providing a new platform for learning and professional development tailored specifically for Main Street leaders and practitioners. This initiative offers a range of curated educational experiences designed to help users expand their impact, enhance their skills, and build leadership capacity. The Academy features a flexible mix of… [Read More]
$263.8 Million AfDB-Backed Project Set to Transform Urban Development in Abia State
The African Development Bank (AfDB), in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Abia State Government, has launched the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Project, a $263.8 million initiative designed to transform urban infrastructure, improve mobility, and promote climate-resilient development in the state’s major cities—Umuahia and Aba—over the next… [Read More]
