His Majesty, King Mswati III of Eswatini, has emphasized the urgent need for collective action to tackle persistent water challenges across Africa. Speaking at the African Union – Africa Water Investment Programme (AU-AIP) Water Summit 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the King highlighted water’s central role in Eswatini’s national development, supporting agriculture,… [Read More]
Africa Begins Historic Malaria Vaccine Rollout Despite Funding Challenges
In 2025, African countries are set to expand malaria vaccine coverage at unprecedented levels, marking a potential turning point in the fight against one of the continent’s deadliest public health threats. Uganda is leading the effort with Africa’s largest rollout, distributing 2.278 million doses of the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to 105 districts, targeting 1.1 million children… [Read More]
Supporting Homeless Women: Lessons in Dignity, Trust, and Culture
Severn Angels Housing & Support provides critical assistance to women facing some of life’s most fragile moments, including fleeing domestic abuse, recovering from homelessness, or living with no recourse to public funds. With the support of the Charles Plater Trust, the organisation has strengthened its culturally competent, trauma-informed care, transforming not just services but the… [Read More]
IFC and OTP Leasing Launch €50M Facility to Drive Ukraine’s Private Sector Growth and Green Energy Projects
IFC and OTP Leasing have launched a €50 million risk-sharing facility (RSF) in Ukraine to expand financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and midcap companies. The initiative targets sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, trade, energy, and logistics, with a strong focus on sustainable energy solutions to enhance the country’s energy resilience. The program also aims… [Read More]
IFC and Japan Launch Tokyo Business Hub to Drive Global Development
IFC and the Government of Japan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish the Tokyo Business Development Hub (Tokyo Hub), aimed at strengthening partnerships with Japanese businesses and mobilizing private capital for global development. The Hub will focus on creating a pipeline of potential projects with Japanese partners, targeting key sectors such as… [Read More]
Laos Releases 130 Million Lab-Grown Mosquitoes to Combat Dengue Surge
More than 130 million lab-grown mosquitoes carrying a naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia are being released in Vientiane, Laos, to help reduce the spread of deadly viruses such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The initiative comes after global dengue cases surged to a record 14.4 million in 2024, more than double the previous… [Read More]
EU Funding Strengthens Disaster Preparedness in Southern Africa
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a €3 million contribution from the European Union (EU) to support a regional initiative designed to strengthen disaster preparedness in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The initiative, launched in Nacala, Mozambique, will focus on Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe under the two-year project titled… [Read More]
£1m Funding Boost Shared Among Community Groups and Charities
Community groups across West Dunbartonshire have received more than £987,000 in grants to support vulnerable and disadvantaged residents. The funding aims to strengthen local initiatives that provide vital services and opportunities for people in need. Through the Community Chest Grant Scheme, £25,000 was distributed to organisations to cover equipment, running costs, and activities for children,… [Read More]
Dumbarton Reading Group Awarded £5,360 from Common Good Fund to Support Local Literacy
A new reading group in Dumbarton has secured more than £5,000 in funding from the Dumbarton Common Good Fund to support the launch of The 2 Rivers Children’s Book Festival. The grant, approved by the Corporate Services Committee, will help the group plan, promote, and host the first year of the festival, which aims to… [Read More]
Sharing Zero-Emission HGV Infrastructure: Accelerating Clean Transport Adoption
The transition to zero-emission heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) presents both opportunities and challenges for the UK’s freight sector. Sharing charging and refuelling infrastructure has the potential to lower costs, increase resilience, and accelerate adoption. The UK Government’s flagship Zero-Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, supported by £200 million in investment, is exploring these issues… [Read More]
Mozambique Gender Statistics & Monitoring Workshop for Capacity Building
The workshop aims to strengthen Mozambique’s national gender monitoring and reporting framework through specialized technical sessions and capacity-building activities. It will provide training on key aspects of gender monitoring and reporting, enabling participants to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to improve existing systems and practices. An important component of the workshop is the… [Read More]
IDEP Launches Free Online Course on Integrated Development Planning (Sept 8 – Oct 9, 2025)
Africa’s development faces multiple constraints that limit its ability to achieve full potential. Key challenges include limited economic diversification, weak production capacity, rapid demographic growth, and the intensifying effects of climate change. These issues are compounded by poor governance, political instability, and geopolitical tensions, all of which hinder sustainable progress. The continent’s heavy reliance on… [Read More]
Experts Approve Report on Cross-Border Cocoa and Rice Value Chains in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana
In a major step to boost regional trade and agricultural development, stakeholders from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana convened to review a draft assessment report on cross-border cocoa and rice value chains. The initiative, led by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and ECOWAS, seeks to… [Read More]
Skills Development Fund to Train 2,900 Youth and Workers for In-Demand Jobs Amid U.S. Tariffs
The Ontario government is investing more than $5 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream to support over 2,900 youth, jobseekers, and apprentices in the Northumberland and Peterborough regions. The funding will help participants prepare for in-demand careers in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, aviation, and other skilled trades. This initiative is part… [Read More]
Minister Foley Unveils €4.2m Bia Blasta Lunch Scheme for Preschoolers in Disadvantaged Areas
The Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley TD, has announced the launch of Bia Blasta (Delicious Food), a new pre-school nutrition programme aimed at providing daily lunches for children in disadvantaged areas. With funding of around €4.2 million, the initiative will ensure that 25,000 children receive nutritious meals while attending early learning and… [Read More]
Ireland Invests €10m to Support and Sustain Public Interest Journalism
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, has announced an allocation of €10 million to Coimisiún na Meán to strengthen public interest journalism. Of this funding, €6 million will go towards the continuation of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes, while €4 million will support the introduction of a new News Reporting Scheme…. [Read More]
Minister Foley Grants Over €1 Million for Digital and Assistive Technology Projects Supporting People with Disabilities
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD has announced more than €1 million in funding for new digital and assistive technology projects aimed at supporting people with disabilities. The initiative is designed to assist individuals with sensory, cognitive, physical, and intellectual disabilities, as well as older people facing daily challenges and those living… [Read More]
Minister Calleary Approves €1.9 Million Funding for Language Assistants Scheme in Ireland
The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced the extension of the Language Assistants Scheme for the 2025/26 school year, along with a 10% pay increase for language assistants. The overall package amounts to €1.964 million, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to supporting Irish language education. Established in… [Read More]
Investing in Water Infrastructure Upgrades on Vancouver Island to Strengthen Communities
Two communities on Vancouver Island will see significant upgrades to their water infrastructure thanks to a combined investment of more than $5.25 million from federal, provincial, and municipal partners. These projects aim to strengthen wastewater treatment, improve stormwater management, and enhance community resilience against environmental challenges. In North Cowichan, the Crofton Sewage Treatment Plant will… [Read More]
ILO Launches New Project to Strengthen Worker Protections in Lao PDR
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to strengthen worker protections against violence, discrimination, and child labour, while supporting the country in meeting international labour standards. The initiative, titled “Promoting Trade in Lao PDR by eliminating Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Child Labour”, is funded by the… [Read More]
ILO Launches Global Policy Tracker to Regulate Digital Labour Platforms
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new global policy tracker that offers a comprehensive overview of legislative initiatives on digital labour platforms. This tool is designed to support governments, as well as employers’ and workers’ representatives, by providing information that can guide discussions and help foster decent work in the fast-growing platform economy…. [Read More]
ILO and AFTECH Partner to Expand Financial Access for Dairy Farmers with Digital Innovation
Indonesia’s dairy sector is witnessing increasing opportunities for investment, fueled by rising domestic demand and government initiatives such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program. However, local production currently supplies less than a quarter of national consumption, largely from smallholder farmers, highlighting the need for greater financing to expand herds, modernize farms, and strengthen supply chains…. [Read More]
ADB and UN Collaborate to Launch Climate Insurance for Businesses in Fiji
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) are joining forces to establish an insurance market tailored for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji. These businesses, which play a major role in the country’s economy, face increasing risks from extreme weather events. The… [Read More]
