The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has taken a significant step towards enhancing renewable energy capacity in India by approving a loan of $434.25 million for the establishment of a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in Assam.

In a significant move to combat climate change and biodiversity loss, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will provide resources and technical assistance to Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico in implementing policy instruments aimed at attracting private investments in Nature-based solutions.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a significant investment of $100 million aimed at enhancing access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) led by youth and women in Nigeria.

In a significant move aimed at transforming the agricultural landscape, the World Bank has announced a strategic pivot in its agribusiness investments, doubling its financial commitment to $9 billion annually by 2030.

The European Commission has recently launched two new calls worth 80 million euros under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) mechanism, dedicated to cross-border renewable energy projects.

Today, October 22, marks the opening of a new round of calls related to the digital section of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) aimed at improving European digital connectivity infrastructure. A total of 323 million euros is available for the development of 5G connections, backbone networks, and quantum communications. Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital 2024-2027: €865 Million for 5G, Quantum Networks, and Digital Infrastructure

On October 15, 2024, the World Bank announced a significant step towards modernizing urban mobility in Lima, Peru, with the approval of a $150 million loan for the first phase of a comprehensive ten-year program.

In a significant move towards fostering sustainable development, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has partnered with Türkiye Sinai Kalkinma Bankasi (TSKB) to enhance green financing in Türkiye.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently approved a significant loan of $200 million to support the development of a green and low-carbon urban district in Chongqing, China.

The EU-funded public-private partnership IHI (Innovative Health Initiative) and life sciences industries have published drafts for the new calls (the 9th and 10th) expected in January 2025, allowing more time for interested parties to define projects and consortia.

On World Food Day, the African Development Bank (AfDB) unveiled its ambitious initiative, the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance, aimed at transforming agriculture across Africa. This public-private partnership seeks to harness digital technologies to improve the livelihoods of farmers and ensure food security on the continent.

This week, the call to select 16 new Euroclusters has opened, aiming to support synergies between European industrial ecosystems to enhance their growth and competitiveness. Cluster proposals can be submitted by trans-European consortia composed of at least three public or private cluster organizations or networks.

In a significant move to bolster the transport infrastructure of the Solomon Islands, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has initiated the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project. This project is designed to enhance the resilience of land and maritime transport networks, which are vital for the socio-economic stability of the region.

The European Commission has announced a significant investment of over €380 million in 133 new projects under the LIFE Programme, aimed at fostering environmental and climate action across Europe.

The World Bank has released its Gender Strategy Update for 2024-2030, aiming to significantly accelerate gender equality and empowerment globally. This strategy builds on the previous 2016-2023 framework and addresses the urgent need for comprehensive actions to tackle gender disparities exacerbated by recent global crises.

The European Commission announced a pivotal Growth Plan for Moldova with €1.8 billion, designed to accelerate the country's socio-economic development and support its EU accession ambitions.

The European Commission has officially adopted the Erasmus+ 2025 work programme for implementing interventions in the fields of training, education, youth, and sport.

Open until December, the Interreg call allocates 14 million euros for financing innovative solutions in the peripheral and less developed areas of Central Europe. This is the third call of the Interreg Central Europe 2021-2027 programme.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently announced its commitment to support Suriname in improving spatial planning and environmental management. This initiative aims to address the country's pressing challenges in urban development, resource management, and environmental sustainability.

The Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) is set to take place from November 4 to 8, 2024, in Cairo, Egypt. This significant event, organized by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Housing and other governmental bodies, marks the first time in over two decades that an African nation has hosted this pivotal forum.

The European Commission has announced the opening of two new calls under the Just Transition Platform (JTP), aimed at facilitating the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive economy, particularly in regions more dependent on fossil fuels facing significant challenges on the path to climate neutrality.

The potential absorption of the successor to Horizon Europe - namely the tenth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - into the new European Competitiveness Fund announced by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, should be welcomed with a positive spirit and a constructive approach.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently approved a significant financing package aimed at enhancing irrigation access in rural Nepal. This initiative is set to transform agricultural practices in the Rautahat and Sarlahi districts of Madhesh Province, where farmers have long struggled with inconsistent water supply.

The European Union has recently approved a significant financial aid package exceeding €1 billion to assist five member states grappling with the aftermath of severe natural disasters.

In preparation for the next European framework program for research, the BEPA partnership has launched a public consultation to gather stakeholders' opinions on the future of research and innovation in Europe in the field of batteries.

Divided into five cut-off dates (the last one is in November 2025), the KAVA 13 Upscaling call supports projects that use already validated technologies in the field of raw materials and require further steps for their demonstration and commercialization. A funding opportunity aimed at consortia composed of entities such as businesses, research, and education sectors, with specific rules regarding TRL and ROI. EIT published a new call for Raw Materials

The European Commission has adopted the second work programme for the digital section of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) which outlines the objectives and interventions aimed at improving European digital connectivity infrastructures. Available for the 2024-2027 period is a budget of approximately 865 million euros.

There is time until February 18, 2025, to participate in the call funded with 5.7 million euros from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) to support flagship projects to promote both smart specialization and innovation in the blue economy and regenerative ocean farming and algae innovation. In the EU Official Journal the EMFAF Regulation 2021-2027

On the occasion of the Info Day dedicated to the new call for proposals of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the transport sector, the CINEA illustrated the characteristics that candidate projects must have to be eligible for funding. Call 2024 CEF Transport: 2,5 billion to build and renew EU transport infrastructure

The mid-term evaluation of InvestEU published by the European Commission reveals that, halfway through its course, the Programme that brings together financial instruments supported by the Union's budget for the 2021-2027 period has already allocated 90% of the EU guarantee and unlocked €218 billion in additional investments. However, the available budget does not seem sufficient to meet market demand.

On October 2, 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced the approval of a $162 million loan aimed at fostering sustainable and inclusive tourism development in Himachal Pradesh, India.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has recently approved a significant initiative aimed at bolstering the capacity of regional governments in Chile to develop and maintain urban infrastructure.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has recently approved a significant trade finance facility amounting to EUR 70 million for the Bank of Africa Morocco (BOA). This initiative aims to bolster trade across the African continent, facilitating greater economic integration and supporting local businesses in their international trade endeavors.

The Next Generation Internet (NGI) is a visionary initiative by the European Commission (EC) aimed at transforming the Internet into an "Internet of Trust." This initiative focuses on creating an Internet that prioritizes trust, security, and inclusion, aligning with the values and norms cherished by European citizens.

The 8th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research (HSR2024) is set to take place from November 18 to 22, 2024, in Nagasaki, Japan. This biennial event is a pivotal gathering for stakeholders in health systems and policy research, aiming to foster collaboration and innovation in addressing global health challenges.

Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Italy, and Romania are the countries set to receive around 120 million in aid, proposed by the European Commission under the CAP 2023-2027 crisis reserve, to directly support farmers affected by exceptional adverse weather events in spring and early summer.

On September 22, 2024, during the United Nations General Assembly's Summit of the Future, world leaders adopted a landmark agreement known as the Pact for the Future. This comprehensive framework aims to address pressing global challenges and sets forth a vision for international cooperation that is more inclusive and responsive to contemporary issues.

Despite the amount of resources supporting organic production, with around 12 billion disbursed from 2014 to today and almost 15 billion expected by 2027, the sector does not find adequate responses in European policies: the EU target of allocating at least 25% of land to organic farming by 2030 does not seem achievable and is still insufficient to strengthen the organic market and make it independent from European funds.

On September 24, 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bhutan formalized a significant loan agreement aimed at enhancing the country's renewable energy capabilities. The $30 million loan is designated for the Distributed Solar for Public Infrastructure Project, which seeks to install solar power systems on rooftops of public buildings across Bhutan, with a total capacity of up to 35 megawatts.

The new 2025 work programme of Creative Europe will support the audiovisual industry and other creative and cultural sectors, funding projects in diverse fields ranging from cinema to literature. The strategy, which will build on the lessons learned over the previous four years, will further integrate the themes of green, digital, and social inclusion.   Creative Europe 2021-2027 Programme

The new call for proposals of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) dedicated to the transport sector has been published. €2.5 billion is available for projects focused on the construction and modernization of transport infrastructure. Applications can be submitted until January 21. Revision of TEN-T Regulation now in force and the CEF-T funding for the trans-European transport network

In a significant commitment to combat lead poisoning, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UNICEF have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at eradicating lead exposure among children in low- and middle-income countries. This initiative, unveiled during the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2024, is backed by a substantial investment of $150 million and seeks to address a critical public health crisis that affects millions globally.

Until September 30, businesses and the research community can provide input on the proposed topics for the Transnational Call 2025 of the European partnership ERA4Health. This is an opportunity to influence funding opportunities directly at the decision-making process level.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $131.5 million loan to further improve a key railway line in Azerbaijan, enhancing the country's regional connectivity. This additional financing will complete the rehabilitation of about 166 kilometers of the double-track Sumgait–Yalama rail line, including its civil structures and level crossings.

The European Commission has launched a call for applications for strategic energy infrastructure projects under the Trans-European Energy Network (TEN-E) regulation.

Speaking yesterday at the European Parliament, Mario Draghi reiterated the importance of combining decarbonization and competitiveness. To achieve this, in addition to acting to reduce energy costs through a mix of interventions (including nuclear), it will be important to protect the European cleantech sector (which, despite being a pioneer on many fronts, is now losing ground to China), as well as to provide substantial aid to hard-to-abate industries.

In line with the call schedule published in February, a new round of 2024 EU4Health calls opened this week. Approximately 19 million euros are available, divided among seven topics ranging from cancer prevention, the use of AI in healthcare, to communicable and non-communicable diseases. Applications are open until mid-January. EU4Health programme 2021-2027

On September the Asian Development Bank (ADB) unveiled an ambitious new roadmap aimed at addressing the pressing challenges facing Asia and the Pacific. This initiative, part of the Strategy 2030 Midterm Review, marks a significant evolution in ADB's approach to development, emphasizing climate action, private sector growth, and resilience in the face of cascading global crises.

With a budget of 380 million euros until 2031, the new European partnership on rare diseases ERDERA (European Rare Diseases Research Alliance) aims to open a new phase in the field of research and transnational cooperation on the subject, building on the results achieved by previous partnerships. ERDERA is supported by Horizon Europe, in tandem with other public funding, provided by countries and regions, as well as private funding (companies).

The European Commission has launched a new call, under the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, to create and develop the first artificial intelligence factories in Europe. Here are the rules for accessing the new activity line of the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking.