Canada is reinforcing its commitment to equality, safety, and inclusion through a major new funding announcement. In a world facing increasing instability, the government emphasized that while global events are beyond its control, it remains dedicated to building a stronger, fairer Canada. Central to this vision is ensuring the full and equal participation of women… [Read More]
Business
Yulia Svyrydenko Announces Expansion of Vlasna Sprava Grants to Empower Ukrainians and Veterans
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the expansion of the country’s largest grant programme for entrepreneurs, Vlasna Sprava (Own Business), under the Made in Ukraine initiative. Starting in 2026, the programme will offer increased grant amounts and wider opportunities for Ukrainians who wish to start or grow their own businesses, even amid wartime challenges. The… [Read More]
Swedfund’s $10 Million Equity Boost to Moniepoint Highlights Rising DFI Focus on Fintech Lending
Swedfund’s recent $10 million equity investment in Moniepoint marks a shift in development finance priorities, emphasizing sustainable fintech models over user acquisition-driven growth. Moniepoint’s strategy of building robust financial infrastructure, rather than chasing app downloads, has positioned it as a trusted payments backbone in Nigeria. With POS transactions reaching ₦19.5 trillion in 2024, Moniepoint’s operations… [Read More]
How Zambia is Harnessing Digital Tools to Build Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Digital technologies are transforming agriculture across Africa, revolutionizing how governments, partners, and farmers collaborate. In Zambia, this transformation is being driven by the Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (ZIAMIS), a platform designed to strengthen transparency, efficiency, and resilience in agricultural programmes. During the recent FAO Resilience Team for Africa Community of Practice meeting, Zambia’s… [Read More]
Case Study: Strengthening Community Resilience Through Innovation and Local Empowerment
Across the UK, small charities and voluntary groups are under growing strain as demand for their services continues to rise while funding becomes increasingly difficult to secure. With statutory services overstretched, voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations are often filling the gaps—sometimes at the expense of their own financial stability. Research shows that nearly… [Read More]
HEIF to Prioritize Economic Growth Through University Innovation
Research England has released an updated strategic direction for the Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF) programme, emphasizing a renewed focus on driving economic growth. HEIF, which provides £280 million annually, supports universities in translating research and expertise into practical solutions that strengthen communities and local economies. The programme’s flexibility enables institutions to align their core… [Read More]
£55 billion R&D funding boost to power UK innovation in science, health, and clean energy
The UK government has announced a record £55 billion investment in research and development (R&D) to drive innovation, economic growth, and job creation across sectors such as health, technology, and clean energy. This major funding boost, provided through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), represents the department’s largest-ever R&D investment and ensures long-term… [Read More]
Upcoming KIC Call: Promoting Collaborative Business Models for a Circular and Sustainable Future
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is set to launch the Knowledge and Innovation Covenant (KIC) call titled “Collaborative Business Models for a Circular Economy” in December. The initiative will provide a total funding ceiling of €7 million, focusing on advancing research into how collaborative business models can strengthen circular partnerships. These models aim to ensure… [Read More]
FutureFoodS Launches Second Call for Sustainable Food Innovation Projects in November
The European Partnership FutureFoodS has announced the upcoming launch of its second Call for proposals, expected to open in the second half of November 2025, with the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) intending to make funding available again for Dutch applicants. This new Call seeks to accelerate the transition to sustainable and resilient food… [Read More]
European Investment Bank Provides €100 Million to Strengthen Armenia’s MSME Sector
The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, has signed a €100 million loan agreement with the Central Bank of Armenia to expand access to finance for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-cap companies. Backed by the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), the initiative aims to strengthen economic resilience and promote… [Read More]
First-Ever National Dialogue in the Philippines Focuses on Sustainable Aquaculture Supply Chain
The Philippines, a global leader in aquaculture and the world’s top producer of seaweed, is at a crucial stage as it works to strengthen its aquaculture sector amid global disruptions and declining wild fish stocks. With aquaculture playing an increasingly vital role in the nation’s economy and food security, the country is focused on improving… [Read More]
World Bank Report: Liberia Can Unlock Job Creation by Strengthening Private Sector and Productivity
The World Bank has released the Sixth Edition of its annual Liberia Economic Update, titled “From Stabilization to Inclusion – Pathways to Resilient Growth and Productive Jobs.” The 2025 report provides an in-depth analysis of Liberia’s economic performance and private sector development, emphasizing how strengthening the private sector can drive productive employment and inclusive growth…. [Read More]
Angola: AfDB Executive Director Tours Key Development Projects, Commends $1.45 Billion Investment
The African Development Bank (AfDB) is currently investing $1.45 billion in 16 ongoing projects in Angola as part of efforts to support the country’s economic diversification beyond oil dependency. The announcement was made by Eugénio Maria Paulo, the Bank’s newly appointed Executive Director for Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, during high-level meetings held in Luanda…. [Read More]
Building Inclusive Communities: Key Learnings from Bangladesh’s Manikganj CBR Model
The Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) project in Manikganj, Bangladesh, was launched in 2013 by the Disability Rehabilitation and Research Association (DRRA) in partnership with the Dutch organization Niketan to address the needs of children with complex and multiple disabilities. Despite global concerns over the sustainability and evidence base of CBR programs, this initiative has built a… [Read More]
Gulf Visit Yields £6.4 Billion Boost for UK Trade and Investment
The United Kingdom has secured over £6.4 billion in two-way trade and investment deals with Saudi Arabia, following a landmark visit by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to the Gulf region. The announcement marks a major boost for British businesses and jobs, deepening economic ties between the two countries and supporting the UK’s growth ambitions. The package… [Read More]
Putting People First: UNDP Promotes Justice Reform for Lasting Peace and Development
UNDP’s people-centred justice approach marks a fundamental shift in how justice and security systems are conceived and delivered. Rooted in people’s lived experiences, it emphasizes listening to communities, understanding barriers, and co-creating solutions that ensure trust, safety, fairness, and inclusion. This approach seeks to design justice systems that are not only accessible but also meaningful… [Read More]
Delivering Connectivity: Ethiopia’s Modjo–Hawassa Expressway Set to Transform Transport Links
The Modjo–Hawassa Expressway in Ethiopia, a 202-kilometer high-standard toll road, is transforming transportation and trade connectivity across southern Ethiopia. Supported by the World Bank and other development partners, the project aims to reduce travel time by up to 40% and lower vehicle operating costs by as much as 20%. The expressway will also improve access… [Read More]
Building Financial Resilience: Rwanda Strengthens Disaster Risk Management
Rwanda is transforming the lessons learned from the devastating May 2023 floods into proactive disaster preparedness and financial resilience. The floods and landslides claimed more than 130 lives and destroyed homes, roads, and farms across the country’s northern and western provinces. Recognizing that climate shocks are becoming more frequent, Rwanda is shifting from reacting to… [Read More]
Africa Embraces Circular Economy Solutions for Sustainable Growth
On the outskirts of Addis Ababa, 30-year-old Behailu Seboka, founder of Askema Engineering, is turning waste into opportunity. His company manufactures brake pads from discarded slaughterhouse materials—a business that started as a university project and now employs 268 people while serving 6,400 customers across Ethiopia. Askema Engineering, featured at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the… [Read More]
Massive Investment to Drive Business Expansion and Innovation Across Victoria
The Allan Labor Government has announced a $75 million investment in five specialized venture capital funds to help innovative Victorian companies expand and thrive. This strategic move, led by Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson, aims to support startups in sectors such as climate technology, health and life sciences, high-growth tech, and female-led… [Read More]
Widespread Relief as South Africa Exits FATF Grey List, Boosting Investor Confidence
South Africa’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list has been met with widespread approval from government institutions, business organizations, and economists, who hailed it as a major milestone toward restoring financial integrity and transparency. The FATF’s decision follows nearly three years of extensive reforms to strengthen the country’s ability to combat… [Read More]
Getting Quality Seeds to Every Farmer: Inside CGIAR’s Inclusive Delivery Model
CGIAR’s Breeding for Tomorrow initiative, through its Inclusive Delivery approach, focuses on ensuring that improved, climate-resilient, and nutritious crop varieties developed by CGIAR and its partners reach smallholder farmers, particularly women and marginalized groups. Despite advancements in breeding, many farmers still depend on old, low-yielding varieties and poor-quality seeds that are vulnerable to droughts, pests,… [Read More]
It’s Not Just About Electricity — Why Energy Access Means Development, Equity, and Resilience
In Nepal’s remote Himalayan villages, access to electricity has long been a challenge, hindering economic growth and quality of life. Through the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) investment in micro-hydropower, communities that once lived without reliable power are now thriving. For residents like widow Pabitra Giri, electricity brought by the micro-hydropower plant in Kharbang, Baglung,… [Read More]
