Anthropic and the Gates Foundation have announced a $200 million, four-year partnership aimed at advancing the use of artificial intelligence in global health, education, and related development areas. The collaboration focuses on creating public-good AI tools designed to support underserved communities worldwide. The funding will be split between the two partners, with the Gates Foundation… [Read More]

The World Food Programme warns that Afghan women and children are bearing the heaviest burden as multiple crises converge in the country, including economic instability, climate shocks, conflict-related pressures, and sharply reduced humanitarian funding. These overlapping challenges are pushing millions of vulnerable families deeper into hunger and poverty. According to the UN agency, Afghanistan is… [Read More]

The World Food Programme warns that the El Niño climate pattern is increasing the risk of food insecurity across Latin America and the Caribbean. Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall are expected to disrupt agricultural production, reduce crop yields, and strain already vulnerable food systems in several countries across the region. The report highlights that countries… [Read More]

The United Nations highlights that global health systems continue to face major inequalities, with millions of people still unable to access essential healthcare services. Despite progress in some regions, large gaps remain between countries and communities in terms of availability, affordability, and quality of care. The report emphasizes that vulnerable populations, particularly in low-income and… [Read More]

Afghanistan is facing a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in 2026, with the United Nations reporting that nearly three in four people are unable to meet their basic daily needs. Despite some signs of modest economic growth, the country continues to struggle under the combined pressure of widespread poverty, environmental stress, and reduced international assistance…. [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €200 million loan to the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) to support investments by Croatian companies and public entities. The financing is intended to mobilize growth, modernize the economy, and create or safeguard jobs, reinforcing the EIB Group’s long-term commitment to sustainable development in Croatia…. [Read More]

The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) has been launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to promote private investment in Indian cities. The fund is designed to support infrastructure growth through shared financing, stronger institutions, and improved municipal project execution. By encouraging private participation, the initiative aims to strengthen urban development and address… [Read More]

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the second round of awards under the MOVE-IN NY program, with more than $19 million allocated to create 56 new homes across Amsterdam, Auburn, Lackawanna, Schenectady, and East Hampton. The funding will support the purchase and siting of prefabricated CrossMod homes, which are designed to be affordable, quickly built, and… [Read More]

India today has more educated young people than ever before, with college enrolment rising sharply and vocational institutions expanding across states. Yet, the transition from education to stable employment has become increasingly uncertain. The State of Working India 2026 report highlights this contradiction, noting that while India’s demographic dividend is approaching its peak with 367… [Read More]

The Henderson Loggie Charitable Foundation has opened its second round of grant funding, inviting charities and community groups across Scotland to apply. Established last year by the accountancy firm Henderson Loggie, the foundation aims to support people facing disadvantage, ill health, disability, financial hardship, or other significant challenges. In its first round of funding, the… [Read More]

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has committed $20 million to Intermountain Health to expand pediatric behavioral health specialty services in Nevada. This represents one of the largest philanthropic investments in the state’s history and is aimed at addressing critical gaps in access to advanced pediatric mental health care. The funding will… [Read More]

The European Investment Bank (EIB), in partnership with BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, has announced a €200 million financing initiative aimed at accelerating sustainable agriculture and supporting the bioeconomy sector across Europe. The programme is designed to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-cap companies involved in farming, agri-business, and related… [Read More]

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting Turkmenistan in updating its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) under a global initiative aimed at strengthening biodiversity governance and aligning national policies with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The initiative is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan and funded by… [Read More]

The Ambassador of Japan to Armenia, H.E. Yutaka Aoki, together with the UNDP Resident Representative in Armenia, Natia Natsvlishvili, visited the Gegharkunik and Kotayk regions to observe the results of ongoing Japan-funded development projects implemented in cooperation with UNDP. The visit was aimed at reviewing the practical impact of initiatives focused on infrastructure improvement, social… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union (EU), has launched a new facility aimed at accelerating the preparation of road modernisation projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The initiative is designed to strengthen project planning and ensure that priority road infrastructure investments are properly developed, structured, and ready for… [Read More]

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced new support measures aimed at strengthening women’s entrepreneurship in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The initiative seeks to improve access to finance and business development opportunities for women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), helping female entrepreneurs expand their businesses and contribute to the country’s economic growth and… [Read More]

Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, has announced the opening of applications for the INSPIRE Research Infrastructure Programme. The initiative is designed to strengthen Ireland’s national research and innovation capacity by supporting the development and enhancement of advanced research infrastructure across higher education institutions and research organizations. The… [Read More]

Afghanistan’s poverty crisis deepened in 2025, with three in four Afghans—around 28 million people—unable to meet their basic needs. Modest economic growth failed to keep pace with rapid population growth, declining aid, worsening climate shocks, and restrictions on women’s rights. The return of 2.9 million Afghans in 2025 alone further strained already overstretched services and… [Read More]

Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, has highlighted the growing trade and investment opportunities between Ireland and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Speaking at the Ireland, Latin America and the Caribbean Trade Horizons Forum held at Croke Park, the Minister encouraged Irish businesses to view the region as an… [Read More]

The West Virginia First Foundation has announced the opening of a new grant cycle running from June 1 to June 30, 2026. During this cycle, the Foundation will award up to 18 grants totaling $9.87 million over a three-year period. The Community Catalyst Grant funds will focus on three priority areas: reducing substance use, strengthening… [Read More]

The United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) has highlighted the importance of Jamaica’s participation in global discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) governance, emphasizing the need for developing nations to have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of digital technologies. The article stresses that AI is rapidly transforming economies, public services, education, and labour markets… [Read More]

At the Thirteenth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Azerbaijan, UNECE is advancing urgent action on housing affordability, sustainability, and resilience as key drivers of sustainable urban development. Building on commitments made at the 2025 Ministerial Meeting, UNECE’s engagement focuses on translating policy pledges into practical action at national and local levels… [Read More]

UNECE has announced the issuance of three new UN/LOCODE entries and updates to ten existing entries across the United Arab Emirates, strengthening supply chain resilience in the Gulf region. UN/LOCODE, a cornerstone of global trade infrastructure, provides unique geographic codes for over 114,000 locations worldwide, facilitating the movement of consumer goods, industrial materials, and critical… [Read More]