Running a charity for four decades has reinforced one simple truth for Canteen: its work relies on the generosity of Australians. Around 80 percent of the charity’s funding comes directly from individuals, families, fundraisers, donors, and partners who choose to support young people facing cancer. This commitment ensures that Canteen remains free for every young… [Read More]
Farm Tech Innovations Set to Take Off Into Orbit
Seven British businesses have been awarded a share of £560,000 in government funding to develop space and artificial intelligence technologies aimed at transforming British farming, boosting economic growth, and supporting nature recovery. The funding follows a pioneering hackathon jointly organized by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Innovate UK, which brought… [Read More]
Boost for Climate and Nature Initiatives in North Somerset
Throughout 2025, the Watford Community Fund distributed over £43,000 to local organisations, positively impacting the lives of residents across the town. The funding supported a broad range of initiatives, including cultural festivals, community gatherings, counselling services, and crisis support, demonstrating the Fund’s commitment to addressing both social and cultural needs within Watford. Key projects included… [Read More]
Over £43,000 Granted by Watford Community Fund for Residents
Throughout 2025, the Watford Community Fund provided over £43,000 in support to local organisations, making a tangible difference in the lives of residents across the town. Funding supported a wide range of initiatives, from vibrant cultural festivals and community picnics to vital counselling services and crisis support, reflecting the Fund’s commitment to addressing both social… [Read More]
EIB, WTO Partner to Boost Global Trade and Investment
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat have signed their first-ever partnership to promote sustainable global trade and investment. The Memorandum of Understanding aims to remove barriers to trade and investment, expand opportunities for partner countries, and create new markets for European businesses. This agreement will combine EIB financial… [Read More]
EIB Global Commits Over €1 Billion to Achieve Mission 300 Goals
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged more than €1 billion in financing for renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa to support the goals of Mission 300, an initiative launched by the World Bank Group and African Development Bank Group aimed at connecting 300 million people to electricity by 2030. EIB Group President Nadia Calviño… [Read More]
EU Provides Additional €1M Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27 February 2026: The European Union has announced an additional allocation of €1 million (over LKR 370 million) to help address the ongoing humanitarian impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. This funding aims to support affected communities and enhance existing relief efforts throughout the country. Administered through humanitarian partner organizations,… [Read More]
WHO Confirms Chile Eliminates Leprosy, a First in Americas
Chile has become the first country in the Americas and the second globally to be officially verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the elimination of leprosy. The achievement recognizes over three decades of sustained public health efforts, including robust surveillance, early detection, effective treatment, continuous follow-up, and comprehensive care for affected individuals. Since… [Read More]
UN Warns of Global Setbacks in Women’s Rights
The UN warns that women’s rights are facing significant setbacks worldwide as democratic backsliding, rising conflicts, economic pressures, and shrinking civic spaces intensify. According to a report by UN Women titled Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls, legal systems in many countries are failing to protect women, with laws being… [Read More]
Government of Canada Supports Youth Safety in Vernon
The Government of Canada is providing $2.14 million in federal support to the Okanagan Indian Band through the Crime Prevention Action Fund to strengthen youth crime prevention initiatives. This funding will support a community-led program for Indigenous youth aged 14 to 25, focusing on building confidence, leadership, and connection through culturally grounded activities based on… [Read More]
Canada Invests in Saint-Quentin Community & Economy
The Government of Canada is investing $500,000 in Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick, to strengthen community services and support local economic growth. Announced by Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Member of Parliament for Madawaska–Restigouche, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, the funding will support the expansion of La Moisson public library, including the addition of three multi-purpose rooms to… [Read More]
Tajikistan’s Future Shaped by Healthy Living and National Action
Six years ago, Dilafruze Hudoikulova relied on daily medication to manage constant stomach pain caused by a chronic ulcer. Over time, she transformed her health by adopting small, practical changes in her diet, physical activity, and overall approach to wellness, allowing her to reduce her dependence on medication. Working at the Republican Center for Healthy… [Read More]
Lao PDR Launches Action Plan to Strengthen Food Security and Climate Resilience
Vientiane, Lao PDR – On 2 March 2026, the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, in partnership with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), launched the National Action Plan on Transition toward Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (2025–2030). The plan was unveiled by… [Read More]
IOM Flags Rising Humanitarian Crisis on Afghanistan–Pakistan Border
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has raised alarm over escalating hostilities along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border and their growing humanitarian impact. The ongoing conflict along the Durand Line has caused civilian casualties, damaged critical infrastructure, and displaced nearly 66,000 people in eastern and southeastern Afghanistan. These developments threaten further displacement, accelerate returns, and place additional… [Read More]
Greece Ratifies Key Occupational Safety and Forced Labour Protocols
On 3 March 2026, Greece formally ratified the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155), the Safe and Healthy Working Environment (Consequential Amendments) Convention, 2023 (No. 191), and the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, depositing the instruments with the ILO Director-General, Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo. Ambassador Ioannis Ghikas highlighted that full… [Read More]
Pathways to Pay Equity: Laws, Wages, and Social Dialogue
The global gender pay gap remains persistently high despite decades of commitments, and closing it requires coordinated action and deliberate policies, according to a new publication from the International Labour Organization (ILO). The report, Pay Equity: A Comprehensive Response to the Gender Pay Gap, introduces a Theory of Change and Intervention Model emphasizing that laws,… [Read More]
Ethiopia Expands Safety Net Programs to Boost Jobs and Resilience
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2026 — The World Bank has approved a new phase of support for Ethiopia’s safety nets under the Productive Safety Net Project 6 (PSNP 6), designed to strengthen food security, build climate resilience, create jobs, and support vulnerable households. Ethiopian families are facing mounting pressures from frequent droughts, rising food prices, and… [Read More]
World Bank Supports Tunisia’s Urban Flood Resilience Plans
TUNIS, March 4, 2026 — The World Bank and the Government of Tunisia are expanding their partnership to strengthen the country’s climate and disaster resilience through an additional US$50 million financing for the Tunisia Integrated Disaster Resilience Program (ResCat), bringing the total program to US$125 million. This scale-up focuses on urban flood protection in Western… [Read More]
Somalia’s Climate Resilience Plan to Boost Jobs and Growth
NAIROBI, March 5, 2026 — The World Bank Group’s latest report emphasizes that targeted, cost-effective investments in climate-smart agriculture, resilient cities, disaster risk management, and stronger institutions could cut Somalia’s projected economic losses by half while creating stable, productive jobs. Launched jointly with the Somali government, the Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) highlights how… [Read More]
WFP Gears Up for Middle East Relief as Humanitarian Needs Surge
GENEVA – The humanitarian situation across the Middle East is rapidly evolving due to ongoing security developments, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is operational and ready to scale its response as needs grow. Emergency preparedness measures have been activated across the region, allowing WFP country offices in Iran, Türkiye, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon,… [Read More]
Afghanistan Crisis Deepens Amid Rising Insecurity: WFP Warning
Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as insecurity escalates along its borders. Fighting has intensified on the eastern and southern frontier with Pakistan, while violence continues on the western border with Iran, putting immense pressure on communities already weakened by years of conflict, natural disasters, and chronic poverty. The renewed violence has displaced approximately… [Read More]
Belize Secures New IDB Country Strategy to Strengthen Private Sector
The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) has approved Belize’s new country strategy for 2026–2030, aligned with the National Development Plan “Plan Belize 2.0.” The strategy aims to promote sustained, inclusive growth and fiscal stability by boosting private-sector-led investment, with a particular focus on leveraging Belize’s natural capital. Building on strong recent performance in tourism,… [Read More]
ADB Launches Partnership to Boost Jobs and Growth in Tajikistan
DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN (4 March 2026) — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon to reaffirm ADB’s commitment to supporting resilient, diversified, and inclusive growth that generates more and better jobs across the country. ADB plans to provide approximately $1.1 billion in support from 2026 to 2028, focusing on strengthening… [Read More]
