The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has so far promoted the formation of 6,215 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) under various government schemes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha that NABARD’s key support to these FPOs includes assistance with their formation, capacity building, credit facilitation, financial literacy, and establishing market linkages… [Read More]
Labor
NABARD Disburses ₹1.59 Lakh Crore to States for Rural Infrastructure: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha that the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has provided over ₹1.59 lakh crore in loan assistance to state governments for rural infrastructure development over the last three financial years (2022–23 to 2024–25). A significant portion, ₹1.23 lakh crore, was disbursed under the Rural Infrastructure… [Read More]
AFREC Boosts South Africa’s Capacity for Accurate Energy Statistics and Reporting
The African Energy Commission (AFREC) has successfully completed a three-day technical training workshop in South Africa, aimed at improving the country’s capacity to compile and manage national energy statistics. This initiative marks an important step toward enhancing energy data management in the Southern African region. The training, held from 30 July to 1 August 2025,… [Read More]
India and UN Strengthen South-South Cooperation to Accelerate SDG Progress
The United Nations and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have launched a pioneering partnership to promote sustainable development through South-South Cooperation. This collaboration, known as the ‘UN-India Global Capacity-Building Initiative’, aims to share India’s successful development models with countries across the Global South, helping them achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this initiative,… [Read More]
Africa Needs Capital, Not Charity: Inside the UN–Private Sector Alliance Driving Change
While many investors remain hesitant, a new partnership model is proving that Africa’s future is not only investable but also transformational. At the UN’s Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Pegasus Capital and the UN Joint SDG Fund launched a collaboration that combines public and private capital to unlock impactful projects with long-term returns…. [Read More]
Ireland Allocates €2 Million for New Men’s Mental Health Counselling Supports
The Irish Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, has announced €2 million in funding to launch a new range of counselling and talk therapy services specifically aimed at men. The initiative is set to begin in September 2025 and will deliver more than 15,000 free counselling sessions annually. Designed to improve access to mental health… [Read More]
Africa Endorses Ubuntu Legacy Initiative to Fast-Track Cross-Border Infrastructure
The National Treasury of South Africa and the African Development Bank Group jointly hosted the first consultative meeting on “South Africa’s Legacy Initiative to Accelerate Cross-Border Infrastructure in Africa: The Ubuntu Approach.” This initiative aligns with South Africa’s contribution to the G20 Infrastructure Working Group and introduces a Toolkit designed to help African countries and… [Read More]
RightsCon 2026 Call for Proposals Now Open: Submit Your Session Idea
The Call for Proposals for RightsCon 2026, scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia and online from May 5 to 8, 2026, is now open. Individuals and organizations are invited to submit session proposals by the deadline of September 12, 2025. RightsCon is known for its community-driven programming, offering a platform for activists, policymakers, technologists,… [Read More]
InvestEU: EIB Grants €45 Million to BrianzAcque to Boost Water and Sewerage Efficiency
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €45 million green loan to BrianzAcque, the publicly owned water utility for Italy’s Monza and Brianza province, to support its 2025–2029 investment plan. This funding, backed by the European Union’s InvestEU programme, aims to significantly improve the efficiency, sustainability, and climate resilience of the region’s water and… [Read More]
Cameroon Launches Major Reforms to Strengthen Emergency Medical Services
Cameroon is undertaking a major reform of its emergency medical services (EMS) system, representing a significant step forward in the country’s public health landscape. The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Public Health with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). A comprehensive evaluation of… [Read More]
Six Local Projects Receive Funding to Boost Waste Reduction and Sustainability
Tauranga City Council has awarded a total of $122,000 in funding to six innovative projects through its annual Resource Wise® Community Fund. These initiatives are aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability across the city. The funding, sourced from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Levy, supports local efforts without impacting general rates. Councillor Glen… [Read More]
UNICEF, Japan, and DOH Partner to Digitize Child Immunization in the Philippines
The Department of Health (DOH) of the Philippines, in collaboration with UNICEF and with funding from the Government of Japan, has launched DigiVacc—a digital platform that replaces traditional paper-based immunization records for children. This initiative aims to streamline the immunization process, ensuring that every Filipino child receives complete and timely vaccinations. DigiVacc supports the country’s… [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]
Global Initiative Launched to Strengthen Water and Sanitation Regulatory Systems
More than 40 organizations have come together to launch the Global Call to Action on Strengthening Water and Sanitation Regulatory Systems, aiming to improve public health, promote equity, and enhance climate resilience by reinforcing regulatory frameworks worldwide. This initiative responds to urgent gaps highlighted in the latest UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and… [Read More]
EU-WOP 2 Opens Grant Call to Boost Water Utilities and Partnerships Worldwide
The Global Water Operators’ Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) has opened the Call for Proposals for the second phase of the EU Water Operators’ Partnerships (EU-WOP) Programme. This initiative, funded by the European Union and managed by GWOPA under UN-Habitat, is designed to enhance the capacity of public water and sanitation utilities through peer-to-peer learning and collaboration…. [Read More]
Japan and WFP Deliver Emergency Food Aid to Flood and Drought-Affected Families in Burundi
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a US$1 million contribution from the Government of Japan to deliver emergency food assistance to 18,000 people in Burundi affected by extreme weather events. A ceremony in Bujumbura marked the announcement, attended by senior government and diplomatic officials, including Burundi’s Permanent Secretary for Social Affairs and… [Read More]
World Bank Group Strengthens Job Creation and Economic Resilience in the Pacific Region
Anna Bjerde, the World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations, recently completed a week-long visit to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, where she emphasized the need for innovative approaches to job creation and economic resilience in the Pacific. Her visit focused on accelerating development outcomes and ensuring that World Bank-supported initiatives deliver tangible benefits to… [Read More]
Africa CDC and EU Launch Initiative to Boost Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the European Commission have launched the Partnership to Accelerate Mpox Testing and Sequencing in Africa (PAMTA), a new initiative aimed at strengthening diagnostics, outbreak response, and local manufacturing for Mpox and other priority diseases. Co-funded by the EU4Health 2024 Work Programme, the €9.4 million… [Read More]
Inter-American Development Bank Seeks AI Innovations to Transform Education
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in collaboration with Ceibal and implemented by Socialab, has launched a regional initiative titled “AI Here!” to identify and support the integration of artificial intelligence in education across Latin America and the Caribbean. The call for proposals is open from July 15 to August 15, 2025, and specifically targets AI-driven… [Read More]
Sandpit Workshop on Slavery Pasts Sparks Dialogue on Historical Injustice and Memory
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) is organizing a sandpit workshop from August 25 to 29, 2025, as part of the NWA-Call titled “Slavery pasts: (understudied forms of) impacts and perspectives.” This workshop offers an intensive, collaborative environment designed to foster co-creation, with strong emphasis on inclusion and equality among participants. Special attention will be given… [Read More]
Ontario Invests $4 Million to Enhance Worker Safety in Thunder Bay
The Ontario government has announced a new investment of over $4 million through the Skills Development Fund (SDF) to support nearly 500 people in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas in accessing well-paying jobs across the construction, industrial, mining, and transportation sectors. This latest funding brings the province’s total investment in training initiatives in Thunder Bay… [Read More]
World Bank Launches Initiatives to Boost Jobs and Economic Resilience in the Pacific
World Bank Managing Director of Operations, Anna Bjerde, recently concluded a week-long visit to Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Australia, where she focused on advancing new strategies for job creation, economic resilience, and delivering faster, more effective development outcomes in the Pacific region. The visit aimed to strengthen partnerships and bring global expertise closer to… [Read More]
Nigeria and AfDB Deepen Delivery Dialogue at 2025 Country Portfolio Review
The African Development Bank recently held a workshop in Abuja to review the performance of its portfolio in Nigeria as part of the 2025 Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR). Nearly 200 participants attended, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Bank, and implementing agencies overseeing Bank-supported public sector projects across the country. Both… [Read More]
