The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a flagship initiative of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1992. Operating in over 125 countries, the SGP supports community-based innovation, capacity development, and the empowerment of local civil society organizations through sustainable development projects. Its focus areas include biodiversity conservation,… [Read More]
$21.9 Million African Development Bank Grant to Strengthen São Tomé and Príncipe’s Blue Economy
The African Development Bank Group’s Board of Directors has approved a $22 million grant to fund the Blue Economy and Fisheries Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Maintenance Project (BEFIRM) in São Tomé and Príncipe. The project aims to harness the archipelago nation’s vast maritime potential while addressing pressing food security challenges. The financing package combines resources from… [Read More]
Five Years of Open Mapping in Asia–Pacific: Progress, Lessons, and the Road Ahead
As HOT’s inaugural Asia–Pacific Regional Director, Nama Budhathoki reflects on five years of building a regional open mapping hub from the ground up as he prepares to step down in January 2026. When the role began, the hub model was largely conceptual, with no established teams or templates. Today, the Asia–Pacific Hub has grown into… [Read More]
IFC Investment in Scotiabank Mexico Boosts Housing Finance Access for Women
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has announced an investment of up to US$250 million in Scotiabank Mexico to expand access to housing finance for women. The initiative aims to address Mexico’s significant housing deficit while reducing the gender gap in mortgage access, supporting broader economic growth and social… [Read More]
AI for Humanitarian Action: Insights, Trends, and Opportunities for 2026
The upcoming humanitarian AI webinar, scheduled for 29 January 2026 from 12:00 to 13:30 UTC on Zoom, will explore current trends and considerations in the adoption of AI within the humanitarian sector. Participants will hear directly from expert practitioners about what strategies are effective, which approaches face challenges, and key lessons that can inform future… [Read More]
Strengthening Community Resilience: Insights from the CORE Project’s Final Multi-Stakeholder Meeting
The CORE Project’s final multi-stakeholder workshop, held on 5 December 2025, explored how community-led health responses can survive and adapt amid shrinking health funding, contracting civic space, and declining political attention to HIV. The event brought together 50 participants from across Europe, including community leaders, civil society organisations, UN agencies, EU institutions, academia, and regional… [Read More]
€1 Million Boost for Assistive Technology Backed by DFI
The announcement by Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Norma Foley TD, of over €1 million in funding for digital and assistive technology (AT) projects marks a significant investment in supporting people with disabilities. Delivered through the HSE’s CREATE III initiative—Cooperative Real Engagement for Assistive Technology Enhancement—the funding aims to address unmet needs… [Read More]
How Health Data Is Shaping Global Influence Beyond Traditional Aid
For decades, global health governance relied on aid flows, multilateral institutions, and shared norms of solidarity. Countries received funding, technical assistance, and essential commodities through organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Global Fund, USAID, and other multilateral mechanisms. This model prioritized collective risk management and assumed that global health security was a… [Read More]
IFI Launches 2026 Barrier Mitigation Fund to Restore Irish Waterways
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched a new round of funding under the National Barrier Mitigation Scheme, building on the programme’s success earlier this year when €13.6 million was awarded to 103 projects nationwide. These projects addressed physical barriers in Irish waterways, including dams, culverts, and weirs, which impede the passage of fish. The Barrier… [Read More]
Funding Opportunity: IFI Opens Applications for Barrier Mitigation Programme
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has launched a new round of funding under the National Barrier Mitigation Scheme, following the successful allocation of €13.6 million to 103 projects earlier this year. The scheme targets physical barriers in Irish waterways—such as dams, weirs, and culverts—that hinder fish passage and disrupt aquatic habitats. The Barrier Mitigation Fund supports… [Read More]
IDB-OAS Report Finds Rising Cybersecurity Maturity Across Latin America and Caribbean
Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have made notable advances in strengthening their cybersecurity capacity, yet significant gaps persist in resources, workforce development, and cross-sector coordination, leaving the region exposed to evolving digital threats, according to the 2025 Cybersecurity Report by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organization of American States (OAS). The… [Read More]
Bosnia and Herzegovina Receives €13.5 Million from EU for Locally Led Migration Management
The European Union has committed EUR 13.5 million to enhance Bosnia and Herzegovina’s management of irregular migration and combat organised crime. This funding is intended to empower national authorities to lead migration efforts, align practices with EU standards, and foster social cohesion, with implementation in collaboration with IOM, UNHCR, and UNICEF. Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head… [Read More]
Strengthening Ukraine’s Democratic Resilience: EU Promotes Inclusive Post-War Dialogue
On December 15, 2025, Ukraine’s Central Election Commission (CEC) brought together government representatives, parliamentarians, political parties, civil society actors, experts, and international partners for an open dialogue on priority electoral reforms. These reforms are based on election observation assessments conducted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) between 2014 and 2020… [Read More]
World Urged to Address Gruesome Sexual Violence Amid Sudan War
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has released a report documenting the severe abuses endured by civilians during a three-day offensive by Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Zamzam camp for displaced persons in April 2025. Many of the victims were from besieged El Fasher, and the report details widespread torture, abductions, and deliberate killings…. [Read More]
Thailand-Cambodia Tensions Escalate, UN Rights Chief Calls for Civilian Protection
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, warning that civilian areas and cultural sites are increasingly being targeted by fighter jets, drones, and artillery. He emphasized that under international humanitarian law, protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure is of paramount importance. Since fighting… [Read More]
Syria’s humanitarian needs remain critical despite reductions in violence, UN reports
UN officials have highlighted that despite a reduction in violence, Syria’s recovery remains fragile and uneven following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, requiring continued international support. While progress has been made, millions of Syrians remain displaced, and humanitarian needs remain critical across the country. Over two million internally displaced people have… [Read More]
Traditional Medicine and Modern Healthcare: Expert Perspectives on Integration
The second World Health Organization (WHO) summit on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is currently taking place in India, exploring evidence-based uses of traditional medicine such as ginger for treating nausea. Despite 40 to 90 per cent of populations in most WHO member States relying on traditional medicine, only about one per cent of… [Read More]
Advancing Responsible Business Practices Through Malaysian Academia
make an informative summary paragraph wise excluding all the bullet points sub headings and internal links:The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), held a one-day academic seminar on 17 December 2025 to enhance the integration of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), labour rights, and Business and Human Rights (BHR) into… [Read More]
ILO Strengthens Social and Solidarity Economy Knowledge Among Constituents and Partners to Promote Social Justice
The International Labour Organization (ILO) hosted a technical knowledge-sharing event in Turin from 10 to 11 December 2025, bringing together more than 30 participants from over 20 countries to discuss the role of the social and solidarity economy (SSE) in advancing social justice. The event, held at the ILO’s International Training Centre, coincided with the… [Read More]
International Migrants Day: ILO Highlights Safe Migration and Workers’ Rights for Myanmar Migrants
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with Myanmar civil society, community-based, and labour organizations, marked International Migrants Day on 14 December 2025 in Yangon. This year’s event, held under the theme “Every Migrant, Every Story, One Humanity,” highlighted the dignity, individuality, and significant contributions of migrant workers amid Myanmar’s political instability and conflict. The… [Read More]
International Migrants Day 2025: ILO Nepal Highlights Urgent Need to Safeguard Migrant Workers
On International Migrants Day 2025, Nepal recognized the vital contributions of migrant workers to the national and global economy, while emphasizing the shared responsibility to protect their rights and dignity. This year’s national observance followed the theme “Good Governance across the Labour Migration Cycle: Safer, Decent and Skillful Migration,” highlighting the importance of comprehensive, rights-based… [Read More]
Empowering Youth and Provinces: ILO–Gyeonggi Labour Festa Shapes the Future of Work
The 2025 Gyeonggi–ILO International Labour Festa, held from 15–17 December in Goyang, Republic of Korea, highlighted the voices of youth advocating for more inclusive, secure, and forward-looking employment policies. Under the theme “Youth, Provinces and the Future of Work,” the forum brought together over 100 young participants from around the world, alongside representatives from governments,… [Read More]
Strengthening Cross-Border Solidarity: Indonesia Supports Women Migrant Workers
Indonesia is taking significant steps to strengthen the voices and leadership of women migrant workers through a series of cross-border digital capacity-building activities and dialogues. Organized jointly by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (KP2MI/BP2MI), these initiatives aim to… [Read More]
