The persistent challenge of gender-based violence (GBV) has long been addressed through fragmented and reactive approaches, highlighting the need for transformative, sustainable solutions that tackle root causes. Effective prevention requires centering the leadership and experiences of those most affected, particularly women, girls, LGBTQI+, and gender-diverse people in the Global South. However, feminist organizations and movements… [Read More]
Ford Foundation
Gulf’s First Social Protection Monitoring and Evaluation Training Held in Oman
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with UNICEF and Oman’s Social Protection Fund (SPF), conducted the first training workshop in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of social protection systems. Held in Muscat from 2–5 November 2025, the workshop strengthened the capacities of 26 SPF officials and other national… [Read More]
UK Co-Launches Global ‘All In’ Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls
A major international coalition, co-founded by the United Kingdom alongside the Ford Foundation and Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, has been launched to tackle violence against women and girls worldwide. Announced on 2 December 2025 during the Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the initiative—named ‘All In’—will bring together pioneering women leaders, experts, and influencers to… [Read More]
New ILO Initiative to Improve Social Protection for South Asia–Gulf Migrant Workers
The ILO has launched its groundbreaking STREAM Programme at a high-level event during the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar. The initiative, carried out in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the EU’s Foreign Policy Instrument and the Ford Foundation, aims to extend inclusive, gender-responsive and rights-based social protection… [Read More]
West African CSOs Collaborate to Boost Regional Cybersecurity and Resilience
Civil society organizations (CSOs) in West Africa are increasingly confronting challenges that extend beyond physical spaces, as the struggle for civic space moves into the digital realm. Facing a surge in cyberattacks, misinformation, and emerging threats from artificial intelligence, these groups are taking action to strengthen their online resilience. In September, organizations from Nigeria and… [Read More]
Ladakh Unrest Highlights Why Foreign-Funded NGOs Shouldn’t Act as Pressure Groups in India
The recent unrest in Ladakh has brought national attention to the region, not for its landscapes or strategic value, but for the growing tensions surrounding foreign-funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs). At the center of the controversy stands Sonam Wangchuk, a once-celebrated engineer and environmentalist whose NGO network, previously admired for its innovation in education and sustainability,… [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]
Ford Foundation Grants $400K to American Journalism Project for Local News Innovation
The American Journalism Project has announced a $400,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to help expand local news innovation and strengthen the long-term sustainability of independent journalism in the United States. This renewed investment reflects a shared commitment to the critical role local news plays in supporting democracy and strong communities. The funding comes under… [Read More]
Foundations Pledge $36.5M Emergency Funding to Safeguard Public Media in Vulnerable Communities
Six major philanthropic organizations — the Knight Foundation, Pivotal, the MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, the Schmidt Family Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — have announced nearly $37 million in emergency relief for public media stations facing closure after the loss of federal funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The federal rescission… [Read More]
Is USAID Shutting Down? What We Know About the Agency’s Future
In a surprising turn of events, USAID’s digital presence has gone dark. The official website is inaccessible, and its social media accounts have been deactivated, fueling speculation and concern within the global development community. Coupled with recent policy shifts under the new Trump Administration, the question on everyone’s mind is: Is USAID shutting down? The… [Read More]
