Year: 2026

UNESCO and Norway strengthen their partnership through new agreement to advance education, culture and freedom of expression

Stuart Mitchell

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany and the Government of Norway have signed a new cooperation agreement worth NOK 530 million, or roughly USD 56.9 million, reinforcing Norway’s longstanding partnership with UNESCO and supporting the Organisation’s work in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. Administered by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), this new Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) for the period 2026-2029 covers three priorities: Education (NOK 330 million or roughly USD 35.5 million), Culture (NOK 120 million or roughly USD 12.9 million) and Communication and Information (NOK 80 million or…

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New study provides first clear evidence that eco-moorings can restore damaged seagrass meadows

Stuart Mitchell

A new scientific study has provided the first clear evidence that eco-moorings can help restore damaged seagrass meadows, with some scars caused by traditional anchoring in Studland Bay shrinking by more than 90 per cent. These findings provide some of the clearest evidence yet that practical conservation measures can reverse damage to seagrass meadows which are one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems. Seagrass habitats store carbon, support biodiversity and help protect coastlines from erosion, yet they are declining globally due to pressures including pollution, coastal development, physical disturbance and…

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Octopus to be the first major UK energy supplier to sell plug-in solar to customers as new rules come into force

Stuart Mitchell

Brits can start plugging in their own solar NOW as Octopus Energy becomes the first major energy supplier to roll out the tech following new rules coming into force.  The new plug-in system lets households generate their own electricity without installing traditional rooftop panels – meaning renters, flat-dwellers and people without a suitable roof can now get in on the solar boom and cut their bills. Made to suit different homes and budgets, Octopus’ plug-in solar kits start at £450, with customers able to choose between a one or two-panel…

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£3m to UK Youth Fund to support small youth organisations across the UK

Stuart Mitchell

The Julia Rausing Trust has announced a £3 million grant to the UK Youth Fund, helping to provide small youth work and outdoor learning organisations across the UK with long-term, unrestricted funding. Building on £10 million already committed by Pears Foundation, the new grant brings the total value of the UK Youth Fund to £13 million. Through the Fund, small organisations working with young people across the UK receive unrestricted, multi-year grants, giving them greater flexibility and security to respond to the needs of the young people and communities they…

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Ferrero And Save The Children Partnership Delivers Progress For Children In Côte D’ivoire’s Cocoa Communities

Stuart Mitchell

The project will also be one of the topics addressed today at “Cacao Connect – The Italian pathway to cocoa in Africa”, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, together with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, Ferrero, Save the Children and ICAM.  Thanks to the long-term strategic partnership between Save the Children and Ferrero, results achieved between 2020 and 2025 in cocoa-growing communities in Côte d’Ivoire demonstrate significant progress in the fight against child labour and community strengthening driven by a holistic approach and…

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