National Trust calls for investment in historic environment as research uncovers ‘deep emotional connection’ between Brits and their local heritage

Heritage should play a central part of the Government’s plans to promote national renewal, following new research that shows how highly the British public value their local history. This is the basis of findings in a new research report by the National Trust and Public First which shows the deep cultural and emotional connection people across the UK have with their historic landmarks. The research is part of groundwork for the National Trust’s new ten-year strategy, which includes a pledge to tackle unequal access to nature and culture, including in…

IFC Invests in Immersive Content Platform VUZ to Support Jobs and Incomes

In a move to strengthen jobs and incomes for young creatives, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is investing $5 million into VUZ as part of its $12M Pre-Series C. Launched by a Jordanian founder, VUZ is an immersive content platform that creates, distributes and monetizes premium creator-driven, entertainment, sports, and educational content in augmented reality, and virtual reality. The company has operations throughout the Middle East, parts of Africa, and Asia and currently reaches over 1.2 million active users globally each month, with…

Triodos Bank voted Best Ethical Financial Provider for fourth year running at the British Bank Award

Triodos Bank UK has been recognised for its leading sustainability credentials, being named Best Ethical Financial Provider at the British Bank Awards for the fourth consecutive year. The awards see high-street, fintech and specialist financial providers assessed using reviews and feedback on the Smart Money People website, with over 178,000 votes cast this year by people contributing their customer experience. Triodos Bank was praised by customers for its consistent approach to ethics and its friendly and caring customer service, achieving an overall 4.93 out of five rating from nearly 8,000…

EFA launches Fundraising4Democracy resource hub

EFA has created a new resources hub to help fundraising professionals navigate the growing challenge of shrinking civic space, and mobilize support. The Fundraising4Democracy hub can be found on the EFA site, and brings together essential articles, toolkits, and case studies, as well as listing key events. It invites fundraising professionals to explore the materials to learn, act, and advocate. Many of the resource materials are accessible to all. They include links to EFA’s own Spotlight on civic space series, reports such as Philea’s 2025 Democracy Briefer for Funders: What’s…

Scientist Whose Biological Seed Treatments Helped Make Brazil A Global Breadbasket Named 2025 World Food Prize Laureate

Dr. Mariangela Hungria will receive the new World Food Prize Laureate $500,000 award for her work to harness biological processes to sustainably improve crop nutrition, yields and productivity. A scientist whose discoveries helped Brazil become a global agricultural powerhouse has been named the 2025 World Food Prize Laureate. Dr. Mariangela Hungria, a microbiologist from São Paulo, has developed dozens of biological seed and soil treatments that help crops source nutrients through soil bacteria, significantly increasing yields of major crops while also reducing the need for synthetic fertilizer. Her products are…