The European Union (EU) has made its first disbursement of €5 million (around VUV 670 million) to support climate-resilient agricultural systems and empower rural communities in Vanuatu. The Government of Vanuatu welcomed the investment, highlighting that it will accelerate rural development priorities, including enhancing agricultural research and advisory services, supporting farmers and agrifood businesses, and… [Read More]
Business
ILO Charts Roadmap for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth of Kosovo’s HoReCa Sector
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has outlined a strategic roadmap to support the sustainable development of Kosovo’s Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering (HoReCa) sector, one of the country’s most dynamic and promising industries. Conducted under the “Support to the labour market integration of young people in the Hospitality and Tourism sector” project, funded by the Italian… [Read More]
IDB Lab Names Winners of WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs 2025
IDB Lab, the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), has announced the five women-led startups that have won the WeXchange Women STEMpreneurs 2025 competition. These entrepreneurs will showcase their solutions at the WeXchange Demo Day on December 2 in San Salvador, El Salvador, as part of the IDB… [Read More]
Ethiopia’s TVET Reforms Empower Young Women with Skills and Opportunities
In Ethiopia, major reforms to the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system are helping young women gain practical skills, pursue employment, and start small businesses. Supported by the World Bank–backed EASE and EASTRIP projects, the reforms aim to improve training quality, promote inclusion, and better align education with labor market demands. At Misrak… [Read More]
UN Experts Raise Alarm Over Exploitation of Migrant Workers on Northern Cyprus Citrus Farm
UN experts have expressed deep concern over reports of trafficking and forced labour affecting migrant workers on a citrus farm in Morphou, northern Cyprus. The abuses are described as large-scale and systematic, potentially impacting over 600 workers. According to the experts, intermediaries in the workers’ countries of origin, acting on behalf of the state-owned company… [Read More]
Four Asian Companies Rank Among World’s 20 Largest Corporate Givers
A new report by The Bridgespan Group, supported by the Institute of Philanthropy, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Gates Foundation, highlights the world’s largest corporate givers and examines how they align social impact with business strategy. Among the top 20 global corporate donors, four Asian companies—The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, Samsung,… [Read More]
Vietnam Launches Responsible Business Training with ILO to Empower Trainers and Enterprises
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) program in Hanoi on 4–5 September to promote Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and responsible business conduct. The initiative aims to equip VCCI trainers from its extensive national network with the skills… [Read More]
Zambia Hosts First-Ever Forum to Address Africa’s Industrial Skills Gap
Lusaka, Zambia, is hosting the first-ever Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA 2025) from September 9 to 10, focusing on addressing the continent’s industrial skills gap under the theme “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability.” The event is organized by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) in collaboration with the Zambian government… [Read More]
Power in Perseverance: The Inspiring Journey of Women Entrepreneurs in Yemen
Power in Perseverance is an interactive photobook that vividly illustrates the entrepreneurial journeys of Yemeni women through striking visuals and engaging storytelling. Set against the backdrop of conflict and economic fragility, the collection highlights how women across Yemen are not just surviving but innovating, turning challenges into opportunities and adversity into action. Each photograph captures… [Read More]
Nepal Prime Minister Resigns After Deadly Youth Protest Crackdown, UN Calls for Calm
Nepal has been plunged into crisis after youth-led protests against corruption, nepotism, and social media restrictions spiraled into widespread violence. The demonstrations, branded as a “Gen Z protest,” began peacefully on Monday but escalated after police responded with gunfire, leaving most of the dead and injured among young demonstrators. Hospitals continue to treat many in… [Read More]
Canada Invests $28.7 Million to Train Clean Energy Workers and Advance AI Research
Canada has announced major new investments to prepare workers for the future of clean energy while strengthening the country’s artificial intelligence research capacity. The federal government emphasized the importance of equipping Canadians with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving energy sector, while ensuring researchers and innovators have access to the advanced AI tools… [Read More]
EU Grants 87 Million Lei in Electricity Compensation to Support Entrepreneurs
The European Union, through the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA), has provided Moldovan entrepreneurs with electricity compensation amounting to over 87 million lei between January and August 2025. This assistance is part of the Compensation Programme launched by the Government of the Republic of Moldova with EU financial backing, designed to support businesses facing increased… [Read More]
EIB Global Launches Innovation and Green Transformation Facility to Boost Western Balkans Economy
The European Investment Bank (EIB Global) has announced the launch of the Innovation and Green Transformation Facility (IGTF), a new initiative designed to accelerate sustainable private sector growth in the Western Balkans. The programme aligns with the EU Economic and Investment Plan and the New Growth Plan for the region, further supporting integration into the… [Read More]
North Macedonia Strengthens Climate Finance with Support from the GFS Programme
A recent market study conducted under the Greening Financial Systems (GFS) programme surveyed over 300 medium and large enterprises across key industries in North Macedonia to evaluate sustainability practices, climate risk exposure and green finance adoption. The findings revealed low levels of awareness about the green economy, with only 7 per cent of respondents identifying… [Read More]
Accion Closes $61.6M Fund to Boost Early-Stage Inclusive Fintech Startups
Accion has officially closed its $61.6 million Accion Venture Lab Fund II, LP, now rebranded as Accion Ventures, to invest in early-stage fintech companies addressing the needs of financially underserved populations globally. Managed by Accion Impact Management, the fund will target up to 30 new investments across Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and… [Read More]
African Leaders Advocate for Increased Climate Investment at Ethiopia Summit
African leaders convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the second Africa Climate Summit, calling for a shift from traditional climate aid to climate investment. The summit emphasized that Africa should be seen not as a victim of climate change, but as a continent with significant investment potential. With a population exceeding one billion, African nations… [Read More]
European Union Allocates SBD 226 Million to Improve Water and Sanitation in Solomon Islands
The European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have announced a €24 million (approximately SBD 226 million) funding package to upgrade the Solomon Islands’ urban water and sanitation systems. The announcement was made by European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, at the EU-Pacific Business Forum in Fiji on 5 September. Commissioner Síkela… [Read More]
EU Boosts Pacific Climate Resilience with Extra FJD 4 Million Funding
The European Union (EU) has announced an additional EUR 1.5 million (approximately FJD 4 million) in grant funding to support Fiji and fifteen other Pacific Island countries (PICs) in building green climate resilience into their Public Finance Management (PFM) systems. The announcement was made by European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, at the first-ever… [Read More]
North Shields Community Projects Win Small Grants to Mark 800th Anniversary
Twelve community projects in North Shields have been awarded over £11,500 in small grants to celebrate the town’s 800th anniversary in creative and inclusive ways. These initiatives are part of the wider North Shields 800 celebrations, which aim to bring people together through heritage, arts, and community events that honour the town’s past, present, and… [Read More]
Mozambique Launches $6 Billion Electricity Project, Southern Africa’s Largest in 50 Years
Mozambique is embarking on an ambitious $6 billion electricity project—the Mphanda Nkuwa hydroelectric plant—which is set to become the largest power project in southern Africa in the past 50 years. Supported by the World Bank and private sector players, the 1,500 MW plant is expected to begin operations in 2031 and aims to significantly boost… [Read More]
Standard Bank Invests $10 Million in African Women Impact Fund (AWIF) to Empower Female Entrepreneurs
Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank by assets, has committed $10 million to the African Women Impact Fund (AWIF), aiming to support women fund managers running businesses across the continent. This significant investment was announced at the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) Women to Africa event, hosted in collaboration with Standard Bank and South… [Read More]
Government of Canada Invests $1M+ to Boost Mining Innovation in Northern Ontario
Viviane Lapointe, Member of Parliament for Sudbury, announced a FedNor investment of $1,050,000 in Cambrian College’s Centre for Smart Mining (CSM), on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for FedNor. This funding will support the expansion of CSM’s research and training services to meet the increasing demands… [Read More]
Government of Canada Launches Initiative to Support Small and Medium Businesses Amid Trade Challenges
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), delivered by Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) in British Columbia, aims to support small- and medium-sized businesses facing challenges caused by tariffs that disrupt export markets and global supply chains. In the face of economic uncertainty, the Government of Canada is committed to defending its industries, fostering growth, and… [Read More]
