Renters, homeowners without driveways, flat owners, landlords, and businesses in the UK will be able to claim grants covering up to half the cost of installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points, saving up to £500 per installation. This boost, announced on 25 February 2026, comes as part of the government’s efforts to make EV ownership… [Read More]
Over £50 Million Invested to Tackle Homelessness
The UK Government has announced a £50 million investment to support councils and organisations tackling homelessness and rough sleeping, with a focus on the areas and people under the greatest pressure. The funding is divided across two major programmes to help achieve the national goal of halving long-term rough sleeping by the end of this… [Read More]
Breaking Barriers: Women with Disabilities Leading in Samoa
In Apia, Samoa, Nuanua O Le Alofa (NOLA) serves as the national advocacy organization for people with disabilities, working to empower individuals to participate fully in society. Mataafa Faatino Utumapu, NOLA’s General Manager, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities understand their rights and can access the same opportunities as others. As a… [Read More]
South Sudan Crisis: Nearly 2 Million Displaced at Risk
Critical funding shortfalls are putting the lives of over 1.9 million displaced people in South Sudan at risk, as humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported. South Sudan remains one of the world’s most displacement-affected countries, with nearly 10 million people requiring humanitarian assistance. Under the 2026 Response… [Read More]
Siem Reap Boosts Aid for Cambodian Migrant Workers
A new Migrant Worker Resource Centre (MRC) has been established in Siem Reap province to strengthen awareness and support services for potential and returning Cambodian migrant workers, especially those in the fishing and seafood processing sectors. Operated by the Phnom Srey Organization for Development in close collaboration with the Provincial Department of Labour and Vocational… [Read More]
Korea Supports WFP’s School Feeding and Food Aid Programs in Lebanon
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed continued support from the Government of the Republic of Korea to vulnerable communities in Lebanon through school meals and in-kind food assistance. On 25 February 2026, H.E. Mr. Gyusuk Geon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lebanon, visited WFP-supported activities in South Lebanon, emphasizing Korea’s… [Read More]
Moldova Receives WFP and EU Support for Refugees
Over the past four years, the World Food Programme (WFP), with funding from the European Union (EU), has played a crucial role in supporting vulnerable Ukrainian refugees in the Republic of Moldova, alongside the Moldovan families and communities hosting them. Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in 2022, Moldova has received more than… [Read More]
E-Waste Management in India: Lessons from the 22nd Collection Drive
On 21st September 2025, SAS Foundation conducted its 22nd E-Waste Collection Drive in India and the 8th in Faridabad at Palm Residency Apartments, Sector 76. While this may appear to be a routine collection event, it exemplifies how communities, youth, and organizations can collaborate to foster a sustainable future. Electronic waste is one of the… [Read More]
Solar-Powered Water Systems Transform Farming in Ethiopia
Ethiopia’s Berbere woreda, located at the foot of the Bale Mountains in the Oromia region, is surrounded by perennial rivers, making it ideal for agriculture. Despite this natural advantage, farmers struggled for years to access water due to limited electricity and the high costs or unavailability of petrol and diesel, making irrigation impossible. As a… [Read More]
Driving Rural Prosperity Through Public-Private-Producer Partnerships
Private sector engagement has proven to be a game-changer for rural transformation. Projects with strong private sector participation under IFAD achieve average income gains of 64 per cent—four times higher than projects without such engagement. The public-private-producer partnership (4Ps) model is central to this success, as it explicitly positions small-scale producers as equal partners rather… [Read More]
10 Lessons on Mobile Early Warning from the Innovation Fund
Climate-related shocks are becoming increasingly frequent and severe worldwide, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Beyond the immediate loss of life, these disasters can destroy livelihoods, displace communities, and damage critical infrastructure. In response, the humanitarian sector has emphasized anticipatory action—proactive measures taken before crises occur to reduce their impact. Mobile and digital technologies are… [Read More]
Trust in Development: How to Build the Most Vital Asset
Trust is a fundamental yet often overlooked asset in development, shaping whether initiatives succeed or falter. As public trust in leaders and institutions erodes globally, its influence on development outcomes becomes increasingly visible. Surveys such as Edelman’s Trust Barometer highlight a retreat into insularity, where economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and climate crises encourage societies and… [Read More]
Locally Led Action Research on Women’s Empowerment: Insights for Funders
Pastoralists and agropastoralists living in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCAS) face unique challenges, with women and girls often experiencing heightened marginalization. Addressing women’s empowerment in these contexts was the focus of an action research initiative carried out by three locally-led projects in Nigeria and South Sudan. The projects were funded by the International Development Research… [Read More]
Ukraine Local Pooled Fund: Lessons in Leadership and Vision
In 2023, the Start Network was approached by members of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to design a locally led pooled fund in Ukraine, motivated by the fact that, despite a crisis receiving abundant funding, only 1% of humanitarian resources had reached local organisations. By 2025, the Ukraine Pooled Fund (UPF) had been launched,… [Read More]
Global Digital Compact: 3 Takeaways for Effective AI Governance
2026 is shaping up as a critical year for global AI governance, as artificial intelligence evolves at a pace that challenges existing international frameworks. The Global Digital Compact negotiations offer important lessons in translating technical complexity into political consensus, highlighting the need for multilateral cooperation and shared understandings to guide AI development responsibly. UN Secretary-General… [Read More]
Humanitarian Groups Appeal to Israeli High Court Ahead of Closure Deadline
Thirty-seven international humanitarian organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territory have been ordered by Israeli authorities to cease operations by the end of February 2026 under revised registration rules. In response, these organizations have jointly petitioned the Israeli High Court, seeking to suspend the closures to prevent immediate and irreparable harm to civilians who rely… [Read More]
Women Leading the Way in Disaster Preparedness and Resilience
Mira Sarker grew up along the Kapotaksha River in southern Bangladesh, where her childhood was shaped by frequent cyclones, disasters, and displacement. Living near the coast, she and her community have faced persistent challenges, reflecting a broader trend: in the past three decades, Bangladesh has experienced over 200 natural hazards. Extreme weather events are becoming… [Read More]
UNFPA Partners with ACAI to Address Ageing Issues Across ASEAN
JAKARTA, 24 February 2026 – The ASEAN Centre for Active Ageing and Innovation (ACAI) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Asia-Pacific Regional Office have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen regional cooperation on population ageing and promote active, healthy, and productive ageing across ASEAN. The signing took place during a high-level roundtable,… [Read More]
BESTLIFE2030 Launches €8M Call for 81 EU Overseas Biodiversity Projects
The second call for proposals under the BESTLIFE2030 Programme will allocate over €8 million to support 81 locally led biodiversity projects across the European Union’s outermost regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). This achievement highlights strong interest in the Programme and marks an important step in delivering its overall €23.4 million budget, which… [Read More]
Breaking Barriers in HIV Treatment for People with Disabilities
The International Disability Alliance and the World Health Organization are hosting a webinar titled “Breaking Barriers: Advancing Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities in HIV Care and Treatment” on 26 February 2026, from 11:00 to 12:30 CET. The event aims to address persistent health inequities faced by persons with disabilities, a group that makes up… [Read More]
Kenya’s Melting Glacier: A Global Climate Concern
Climbing Mount Kenya in December, I visited the Lewis Glacier near the summit and was struck by how small and vulnerable it appeared. This glacier, one of Africa’s last, has persisted for 10,000 to 30,000 years but is now reduced to the size of just two football fields. Scientists predict it will disappear within three… [Read More]
How Viet Nam Is Reducing Environmental Toxins Through GEF Projects
In Viet Nam, a comprehensive initiative is underway to eliminate harmful substances from the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, ensuring that the country’s fast-growing industries develop without threatening public health or the environment. The four-year project, Reduce the Impact and Release of Mercury and POPs in Viet Nam through Lifecycle Approach and Ecolabel, targets mercury, persistent… [Read More]
Pacific Nations Boost Environmental Action through GEF Partnership
Pacific countries have emphasized the critical need for strengthened international partnerships and financing to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS) address escalating climate and environmental challenges. This commitment was highlighted at the opening of a regional meeting hosted by the Government of Fiji in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Deputy Prime Minister and… [Read More]
