The International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a new project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to strengthen worker protections against violence, discrimination, and child labour, while supporting the country in meeting international labour standards. The initiative, titled “Promoting Trade in Lao PDR by eliminating Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Child Labour”, is funded by the… [Read More]
Industry
ILO and AFTECH Partner to Expand Financial Access for Dairy Farmers with Digital Innovation
Indonesia’s dairy sector is witnessing increasing opportunities for investment, fueled by rising domestic demand and government initiatives such as the Free Nutritious Meals Program. However, local production currently supplies less than a quarter of national consumption, largely from smallholder farmers, highlighting the need for greater financing to expand herds, modernize farms, and strengthen supply chains…. [Read More]
MDA Invests $560K+ to Strengthen Meat Processing Workforce and Education
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded over $560,000 in grants to enhance workforce development and hands-on training in meat processing across the state. This funding is distributed through two programs: the Meat Processing Train and Retain Grant program and the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Meat Education and Training (MEAT) Grant program,… [Read More]
How Nuclear Technology is Revolutionizing the Fight Against Seafood Fraud
Deceptive practices in the seafood industry, from mislabeled fish to hidden additives, are threatening livelihoods, food safety, and consumer trust. An international initiative backed by the United Nations is now leveraging advanced nuclear science to ensure seafood is safe, authentic, and traceable, protecting both consumers and the fishing industry. Seafood consumption per capita has doubled… [Read More]
Breeding Networks Driving Better Crop Varieties in East Africa
Collaboration networks are essential to advancing agricultural research, especially in crop breeding, where partnerships between researchers, private companies, and public institutions generate innovation. At the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), this collaborative approach is strengthened through partnerships with CGIAR and national institutes across East Africa. By pooling resources, expertise, and market knowledge, these… [Read More]
Clean Industry Projects Boost Climate Action and Create Quality Jobs
The Government of British Columbia is investing $35 million to support new industrial projects aimed at creating local jobs, strengthening communities, and expanding the province’s clean industry. Through the CleanBC Industry Fund, companies can adopt cleaner technologies, accelerate electrification, and transition toward net-zero operations. The fund, which reinvests part of B.C.’s industrial carbon pricing revenues,… [Read More]
African AI Startups Raise Over $40 Million in 2025, Eye $16.5 Billion Market
Africa’s AI sector, though currently holding just 2.5 percent of the global market, is attracting increasing investor interest. Valued at $4.51 billion in 2025, the industry is projected to reach $16.53 billion within five years. Following a funding slowdown in 2023 and 2024, tech startup investment across Africa is rebounding, with the first half of… [Read More]
IOM Partners with Mission 89 to Combat Child Trafficking in Sports
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has joined forces with Mission 89 to launch a campaign tackling the use of sport as a cover for child trafficking. Mission 89, a research and advocacy organization focused on protecting young athletes, has highlighted how traffickers exploit children’s aspirations for athletic success, luring them into abuse and exploitation…. [Read More]
Canada Strengthens Wildfire Preparedness with Strategic Knowledge Investments
Canada is experiencing an intense wildfire season, with communities across the country facing growing risks and impacts. In response, the Government of Canada is investing in wildfire resilience, prevention, mitigation, and recovery through advances in knowledge, science, and innovation. Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced $45.7 million in… [Read More]
Minister Olszewski Pledges New Support for Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Sector
The Government of Canada, through PrairiesCan, is investing over $4.2 million to strengthen Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector, aiming to boost innovation, production, and value-added activities. These investments target advanced breeding programs for crops and livestock, local grain bin manufacturing, food processing, and the promotion of value-added agriculture. The Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the… [Read More]
University of Limerick Researchers to Lead €4M Cross-Border Cybersecurity Initiative
The University of Limerick (UL) will lead a major €4 million research initiative, CyberUnite, to strengthen the cybersecurity of cross-border critical infrastructure. Co-led by Professor Donna O’Shea of UL’s School of Engineering and Dr. Kieran McLaughlin of Queen’s University Belfast’s Centre for Secure Information Technologies, the project marks the first time an Irish government agency… [Read More]
Bettervest & CEI Africa Partner to Boost Off-Grid Clean Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa
German impact crowdinvesting platform bettervest and CEI Africa, a foundation funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through KfW, have signed a Framework Agreement to expand their collaboration on improving energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. bettervest is the first German crowdlending platform to receive CEI Africa funding, underlining its role… [Read More]
AfDB Boosts Zambia’s Private Sector Growth
The African Development Bank (AfDB) reinforced its commitment to Zambia’s private sector-led growth by hosting a strategic side event during the inaugural Invest in Zambia International Conference. Themed “Catalyzing Private Sector Growth: Unlocking AfDB’s Financing Toolkit in Zambia,” the session brought together private companies, financial institutions, development partners, and government officials to explore opportunities for… [Read More]
£2M Grant Powers University of Stirling’s Aquaculture Welfare Project in Asia
The University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture has secured $2.7 million (around £2 million) in funding from Open Philanthropy to lead a three-year project aimed at improving the welfare of farmed fish in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This project builds on a previous initiative funded by Open Philanthropy that focused on fish welfare in Thailand… [Read More]
Global Updates: Education Aid for Afghanistan, Seaweed Farming Boost in Latin America, Somalia Faces Drought Crisis
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a $3.5 million contribution from the Government of Indonesia to support its school meal programme in Afghanistan. With this funding, WFP will procure over 1,200 metric tons of fortified biscuits, benefiting 200,000 primary school children over a three-month period. For many students, this daily snack is… [Read More]
$50 Million Climate Resilience Fund Launched to Support At-Risk Communities
A new Adaptation and Resilience Fund (A&R Fund) has been launched to deliver over $50 million to locally led climate adaptation solutions. The fund is a collaborative effort by several global philanthropic organizations including ClimateWorks Foundation, Howden Foundation, Laudes Foundation, Quadrature Climate Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation. It aims to support people in low- and… [Read More]
Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations Begin in Geneva to Tackle Pollution Crisis
Plastic waste is set to triple by 2060 unless the global community reaches a binding international agreement, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). This stark warning underscores the urgency of the UNEP-led negotiations currently underway, following a 2022 decision by UN Member States to create a legally binding instrument aimed at ending the plastic… [Read More]
New AFFM Project to Boost Fertilizer Access for Farmers Across Tanzania
The Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism (AFFM), a special fund administered by the African Development Bank Group, will officially launch a partial credit guarantee project in Tanzania on August 7, 2025. The project aims to improve fertilizer access for 550,000 smallholder farmers across the country by strengthening the supply and distribution chain of fertilizers. With an… [Read More]
HAVAÍC Announces Second Close of $50M Fund 3 to Back African Tech Startups
HAVAÍC has announced the second close of its US$50 million African Innovation Fund 3, securing US$25 million in commitments. This milestone is backed by key investors including Sanlam Multi-Manager, Fireball Capital, and the SA SME Fund. The fund is aimed at accelerating investment into Africa’s innovation ecosystem, focusing on scalable post-revenue startups with regional and… [Read More]
Educators Insights 2025: Transforming Nigeria’s Education Landscape in Port Harcourt
The Educators Insights Summit, held on July 30th at the Atrium Event Centre in Port Harcourt, brought together over 1,000 school owners, principals, and policymakers, marking a major moment for education in South-South Nigeria. Hosted by Cloudnotte, the event focused on urgent priorities such as school growth, access to funding, and the adoption of emerging… [Read More]
£30 Million Funding Boost for Local Leaders Across UK Nations to Spur Innovation
The UK government has announced that local leaders across all four nations of the United Kingdom will each receive at least £30 million to direct science and technology funding towards their regional strengths. This initiative, part of the £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, aims to unlock transformative research and innovations that improve everyday life… [Read More]
Clean Cooking Sector Hits Milestone with Record Growth and Surge in Carbon Revenue
The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) has published its latest Clean Cooking Industry Snapshot, revealing significant financial shifts within the sector. Since 2018, revenues among tracked clean cooking enterprises have increased eightfold, while capital raised has grown fivefold—largely due to a sharp rise in debt financing. The report underscores the increasing influence of carbon markets in… [Read More]
Canada Invests Over $850,000 to Drive Sustainable Economic Development in Northern Ontario
The Government of Canada has announced $863,023 in funding through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) to support innovation and sustainable economic development across the region. The announcement was made by Pauline Rochefort, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development and Member of Parliament for Nipissing–Timiskaming, on behalf of Minister Patty Hajdu. Of the… [Read More]
