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Viewpoint: Gender Equality Cannot Be Last on the Agenda at COP29 Climate Talks
Women can be powerful agents of climate action if included in decision-making processes and given access to the right resources.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Education, Energy, Environment, Finance, Health Care, Impact Assessment, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology, Telecommunications, Transportation, WASH
- Region
- Global
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Press Release: BP, Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies Join Forces to Help Increase Access to Energy
Despite ongoing efforts, progress towards universal energy access has stalled, particularly amidst recent macroeconomic shocks and rising energy prices.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Technology
- Region
- Global
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Navigating the Financing Paradox for WSMEs: Workable Solutions for Increasing Financial Inclusion Among Women-Owned or -Led Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
In Africa, an estimated $42 billion financing gap exists for small and medium-sized enterprises owned or led by women (WSMEs). According to Nathalie Gogue-Ebo, Crystal Mugimba, Millie Maina and Shiemaa Ahmed at Open Capital, this gap has persisted despite the fact that women own the majority of the continent’s SMEs, and that globally, they default on their loans at a rate 53% lower than men. They explore the main roadblocks facing African WSMEs, and share some solutions that can ensure that these women entrepreneurs have access to the capital they need to thrive.
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Rethinking our Approach to Multilateral Collaboration: Why it’s Time to Give the Philanthropic and Private Sectors an Equal Seat at the Table
With only 17% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on track, doubts are growing about the effectiveness of the world's current approach to multilateral collaboration. As Simon Sommer at the Jacobs Foundation and Dina Ghobashy at Microsoft argue, part of the problem is that businesses and philanthropic organizations are rarely viewed — or treated — as equal partners of international institutions and national governments in pursuing development goals. They propose a new approach to multilateralism, based on greater cohesion between the public, private and non-profit sectors.
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Press Release: 251 Million Children and Youth Still Out of School, Despite Decades of Progress
The global out-of-school population has reduced by only 1% in nearly ten years, according to the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report 2024 unveiled today. Chronic under-investment in education, particularly in low-income countries, is one of the main causes. In synergy with the G20, chaired this year by Brazil, UNESCO calls on its Member States to leverage innovative financing mechanisms such as debt-for-education swaps.
- Categories
- Education
- Region
- Global
- Tags
- global development, SDGs, youth
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Press Release: Innovative Off-Grid Solar Appliances Can Help Bridge the Energy Access Gap for Millions Worldwide
The latest research from Efficiency for Access finds a significant need and business opportunity to scale up the market for off-grid solar appliances like fans, refrigerators, water pumps, and grain mills. Doing so would bring life-changing energy access to millions worldwide.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Global
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An Under-Recognized Obstacle to Solar Access in Africa: The Impact of Foreign Exchange Risk — And How to Mitigate It
Solar energy businesses are rapidly gaining traction in Africa, driving economic growth, improving living standards and supporting the transition to a low-carbon future. But Yariv Cohen at Ignite Power highlights an under-recognized barrier facing the sector: foreign exchange risks. He explores the impacts that volatile exchange rates can have on two common types of solar projects in Africa, and shares some of the strategies that have emerged to mitigate these risks.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing, Technology
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Press Release: Applications Open for 100X Impact Accelerator’s 2025/2026 Cohort
100x is looking for highly scalable models, that can be for-profit or non-profit, addressing global challenges in the areas of climate and environment, democracy, education, health, and social cohesion, among others.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Region
- Global
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