Vodafone places human rights at the core of its business operations, emphasizing that connectivity can be a powerful force for good. The company highlights how digital access enables education, healthcare, financial services, and democratic participation, while also creating opportunities that help communities thrive. Alongside these benefits, Vodafone recognizes its responsibility to ensure its operations do… [Read More]
Business
Labour Rights and Human Rights: Why Protection Matters – ILO and UN Statement
The ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, alongside the Chairs of UN human rights Treaty Bodies and the Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, held a historic joint meeting to affirm the central role of labour rights within the broader framework of universal human rights…. [Read More]
Building Stronger Communities: Youth Leadership Programme 11 Promotes Social Enterprise
The Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) is a regional initiative under UNDP’s Bureau of Arab States (RBAS), launched in 2015 to foster a dynamic network at the intersection of youth, innovation, and sustainable development. As part of the broader UNDP SHABABEEK – Youth Empowerment, Engagement and Knowledge Project, YLP provides holistic support to young people by… [Read More]
Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh: Overcoming Gender-Specific Investment Hurdles
Women entrepreneurs are increasingly contributing to Bangladesh’s economy, leading around 2.8 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and employing an estimated 8.4 million people. Despite this progress, women own only 7.2% of all registered businesses, and many operate as micro-enterprises with limited access to finance and formal support systems. Persistent gender-specific investment barriers continue to… [Read More]
Transforming Rural India: IFAD and India Boost Livelihoods and Food Security
The Government of India and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) celebrated their long-standing partnership in Rome, highlighting successful models of rural transformation that can be scaled across the Global South. IFAD President Alvaro Lario emphasized that joint investments in India demonstrate what scalable, sustainable development looks like, particularly in women’s empowerment, food systems… [Read More]
Amador Seed Fund II Backed by IDB Lab to Boost Emerging VC Ecosystems in LAC
IDB Lab, the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, has approved an investment of up to $3 million in Amador Seed Fund II, LP (ASF II) to support the growth of innovative, technology-driven ventures in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on Central America. This investment underscores IDB… [Read More]
India Secures World Bank Support for Clean Air Programs in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved financing for two major programs in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana aimed at improving air quality for approximately 270 million people, with additional benefits expected for neighboring states. Beyond environmental improvements, the programs are designed to enhance the states’ attractiveness as business destinations… [Read More]
Cambodia Can Navigate Economic Challenges Through Reforms and Strong Buffers, Says World Bank
Cambodia’s economy is projected to grow by 4.8 percent in 2025, slowing from 6 percent in 2024, as domestic and external shocks weigh on activity. The slowdown is driven by a softening property sector, border disruptions, and new trade restrictions, which have dampened domestic demand, construction activity, labor markets, and tourism. Prudent fiscal and monetary… [Read More]
$200 Million ADB-MTC Loan to Support Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Thailand
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Muangthai Capital (MTC) have signed a $200 million loan agreement to support women-owned micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (WMSMEs) in rural Thailand. The financing package, led by ADB and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) as the mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners, includes $75 million from ADB’s ordinary capital resources… [Read More]
Refugee Support Lives On: Nansen Award Honorees Inspire Hope
This year’s Nansen Award honourees include five outstanding individuals and organizations from Cameroon, Mexico, Ukraine, Iraq and Tajikistan, all recognized for their courage, compassion and steadfast efforts to protect people forced to flee. Established in 1954, the award honours those who go above and beyond in supporting refugees, internally displaced people and stateless communities. Announcing… [Read More]
$13.55 Million Funding Boost from NSW Government to Strengthen New England Economy
The Minns Government is investing over $6.38 million in two major projects in New England, aiming to stimulate the regional economy and create new jobs. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to drive economic development across regional NSW through smart, targeted investments in partnership with local stakeholders. By combining government funding with contributions… [Read More]
$2.2 Million Investment in Ontario to Unlock New Opportunities for Forest Biocoal
The Ontario government is investing $2.25 million through the Forest Biomass Program to help CHAR Technologies commercialize biocoal, a low-carbon fuel derived from forest mill by-products and underused wood. This investment aims to develop a new supply chain for made-in-Ontario forest products, create revenue streams for the forestry sector, and enable heavy industries to adopt… [Read More]
Driving Philippine Economic Growth: Investment and Reforms Key to Job Creation
The Philippine economy experienced a slowdown in 2025 due to domestic shocks, weaker investment, and soft global demand, though a modest recovery is projected for 2026–2027, supported by resilient consumption and easing inflation, according to the World Bank’s latest Philippines Economic Update. The report emphasizes that sustaining growth in the coming years will require stronger… [Read More]
Climate Solutions in Technology: Meet the Innovators Driving Change
ClimaTech Connect is a European programme supporting start-ups with networking, mentoring, training, and financing opportunities, focusing on digital solutions that address climate change. The initiative has already supported 35 early-stage innovators across the EU, with four winning teams receiving grants of up to €25,000. Data centres, which power global digital activity, consume enormous amounts of… [Read More]
The Lost Opportunities of Ukraine’s Post-War Reconstruction
The annual ReBuild Ukraine 2025 fair in Warsaw highlighted a critical gap in the readiness of many Ukrainian cities and towns to access investment and drive their own recovery. Despite a strong international presence of investors, donors, and technology providers, fewer than 100 hromadas attended—less than 10% of Ukraine’s total—and even those present often lacked… [Read More]
$400 Million ADB Loan to Boost Business Environment and Competitiveness in the Philippines
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million policy-based loan to support government reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and positioning the Philippines as a leading investment destination in Asia and the Pacific. The Business Environment Strengthening with Technology Program (BEST) Subprogram 1 focuses on private sector development reforms that… [Read More]
InnovateUkraine Round 2 Winners Announced by UK and Ukraine Partnership
The second round of InnovateUkraine was launched following the announcement at Rebuild Ukraine 2025, with the UK government committing an additional £17 million in funding. This new investment builds on the 12 projects supported during the first round and aims to promote low-carbon solutions that strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience and security, while also addressing broader… [Read More]
Unlocking Economic Potential Through Waste Beneficiation in Bushbuckridge – ISOW Initiative
Bushbuckridge, a municipality in the northeastern part of Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, within the Ehlanzeni District Municipality, is embarking on a community-driven waste beneficiation initiative aimed at turning waste into opportunity. The project seeks to empower women and youth, create local business opportunities, strengthen the green economy, and foster collaboration among communities, municipalities, private partners,… [Read More]
Zambia Accelerates Adoption of Electric Cooking Solutions Nationwide
MCFA is supporting Sun King, an African off-grid energy company, to expand its operations in Zambia and scale access to clean electric cooking solutions for households. With approximately EUR 1.2 million in funding, Sun King plans to offer electric induction stoves to grid-connected urban and peri-urban customers. The stoves feature smart metering technology that records… [Read More]
Auckland Council Announces $1 Million Fund for Community Climate Resilience and Emergency Readiness
Auckland Council has launched Te Ara Urutau – Climate and Emergency Ready Fund, investing more than $1 million to empower community organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau to take practical action on climate change and strengthen local emergency preparedness. The fund aims to help communities reduce emissions, improve resilience and adapt to growing climate impacts. This new… [Read More]
$533 Million Investment Set to Transform Ontario’s Agri-Food Manufacturing Industry
The Ontario government has welcomed a $533 million investment from Lee Li Holdings Inc. to expand its existing operations and build a new, state-of-the-art bottling and packing facility in Mississauga. The project will create 275 well-paying jobs and strengthen Ontario’s position in the agri-food manufacturing sector by establishing an end-to-end supply chain for food and… [Read More]
Sustainable Travel as a Key Driver for Indonesia’s Small Business Sector
The Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), convened the Policy Forum on Green Tourism MSMEs in Jakarta on 5 December 2025 to accelerate the country’s shift toward sustainable tourism. Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana emphasized that this transition is essential for the future of Indonesia’s tourism sector, particularly for… [Read More]
Advancing Mongolia’s E-Business Platform: Civil Servants Tackle Complexity
The third workshop on improving Mongolia’s E-business platform was held on 4 November 2025, gathering representatives from five ministries, 30 government agencies, IT specialists, and social partners. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Economy and Development (MED) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlighting the collaborative effort to modernize digital services for… [Read More]
