Poverty has risen in Ukraine as the nation continues to face war, despite earlier policies that had created positive outcomes for its population. One way Ukraine can combat poverty now is by investing in education.
Higher Education in Ukraine
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the country supports educational access to all people, including those who have been displaced from Ukrainian territories due to Russia’s illegal invasion. In addition, citizens who meet certain requirements and qualifications can earn free tuition from existing educational categories of funds and budgets.
As stated by Boston College’s International Higher Education, roughly 16% of the total number of students in Ukraine have left Ukrainian territory since the start of the expanded war in 2022. Russia’s constant bombardment of cities and non-military targets has led to millions of Ukrainians fleeing their homes for safety and shelter in other parts of Ukraine and the world.
Russia has also attacked higher education institutions, which has increased the displacement of students and staff. On August 18, 2025, Sumy State University was struck by a missile and drone attack on Sumy conducted by Russia, damaging multiple university and residential buildings in the city.
In response to the current war, Ukraine’s universities have utilized remote learning, relocation, scholarships and other methods to enhance students’ educational skills, continue education and reduce poverty in Ukraine. As seen in different nations, education can produce a strong working class, contributing to the national economy and supporting current and future generations.
Programs and Initiatives Supporting Ukrainian Students
One international program created after the 2022 invasion is the Program for Hosting the Ukrainian Scientists. This program was also supported and backed by the Government of Paraná in Brazil, as stated by the Araucária Foundation. The foundation, aimed at supporting sustainable development in the state and working with many businesses across sectors, supported the relocation of Ukrainians in Ukraine to Paraná, which had a large existing Ukrainian population.
This program aimed to receive and aid refugees from the war by connecting them with fellow Ukrainians. It also gave Ukrainian researchers and professionals, the majority of whom are women, the ability to support initiatives that help Paraná’s economy. Additionally, these initiatives supplied research grants and served as a starting base for these Ukrainians to gain and expand skills related to improving Ukraine’s economy and reducing poverty in Ukraine after the war.
Another initiative that supports Ukrainian students studying abroad is the University of Tartu’s scholarship fund. According to its website, the University of Tartu in Estonia has enabled Ukrainian students to receive financial and social support. This support ensures that Ukrainian students can access education, ultimately supporting the devastated economy and reducing poverty in Ukraine, while positively contributing to themselves, their future and their host nation’s economy.
Ukrainian Catholic University’s Support
Higher education institutions in Ukraine have continued learning instruction for students despite being targeted in attacks and having to resort to other methods for teaching. Halyna Kurochka, head of the Center for Modern Foreign Languages and Anastasiia Kryzhanivska, an English and Polish lecturer at Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), spoke with The Borgen Project about UCU’s support for students during the war.
Kurochka and Kryzhanivska said, “The university quickly transitioned to online learning and later to hybrid formats, maintaining academic continuity despite the ongoing challenges. Now, we have returned to offline learning.” The ability to pivot quickly and effectively is key for Ukrainian universities in their fight to ensure educational access to all, including those who are in territories near the frontlines as well as those who are in protective shelters during missile and drone attacks.
As a result of these new locations and methods, the university “upgraded its digital infrastructure to better support both students and staff.” In addition to tailored educational methods, the “university integrated themes of civic responsibility, ethics, resilience and leadership into its curriculum,” promoting civic participation for students and future generations, declared Kurochka and Kryzhanivska.
The university also ensures financial support for students in need, especially those vulnerable and in the minority, with available scholarships and interest-free loans, expanding higher education access to more students. Kurochka and Kryzhanivska also said, “In 2024, 52% of applicants received some form of financial assistance, reflecting UCU’s commitment to supporting students during this difficult time.”
The university is also currently pursuing a project called the Intercultural Interaction and Cooperation through Transnational Education with Latin America, allowing students to learn together while connecting people and ideas from across the world.
Final Remarks
Higher education in any nation is important for younger generations to improve their futures. However, it is also key in reducing cyclical poverty and building and strengthening society. For Ukraine, higher education builds a sense of national pride while reducing poverty in Ukraine by creating a skilled and competitive workforce.
Kurochka and Kryzhanivska said, “The university has become a second home for many young people, where they not only receive an education but also take their first steps in building their careers.”
– Avery Kachmarsky
Avery is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
Health Care for Non-Communicable Diseases Impacting Ghana
CNCDs in Ghana
Chronic non-communicable diseases impacting Ghana have hit epidemic proportions, accounting for nearly half of all deaths, and calls to reduce their growing health and economic burden have become increasingly urgent. The drivers of CNCDs are systemic within society and typically linked to behaviors in adolescence, with unhealthy food environments and limited access to physical health infrastructure being two pillars of the increase.
While there has been an attempt to control the rapid swell of these diseases, the August 2012 policy aimed at reducing cases of CNCDs was largely ineffective. With this policy, Ghana strove to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, and focused on strategies such as primary prevention, clinical care and strengthening the health system. However, there were many interconnected challenges which limited its efficacy. On a national level, poor awareness, inadequate coordination and a lack of funding inhibited the policy’s functioning. There was also limited attention afforded to the management of patients who already have CNCDs. In addition, on a sub-national level, inadequate clarity on translating the policy into action rendered ground-level operationalizing ineffective. What the 2012 CNCD policy made evident was the need for comprehensive structural and strategy development which focused on both preventive and curative care.
Recent Progress in CNCD Policy
Despite this, there have been fruitful strides towards constructing an overarching and effective policy to combat chronic non-communicable diseases impacting Ghana. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Health in Ghana, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), convened a stakeholder agreement with more than 50 people from government ministries, regulatory agencies, academia, civil society and United Nations partners to galvanize support for legal reform which promoted healthier diets and physical activity – the two pillars of prevention. This was part of Phase II of the Global Regulatory and Fiscal Capacity Building Programme (Global RECAP), a program seeking to implement measures to reduce the occurrence of NCDs by creating healthier environments.
In addition, Ghana is preparing to roll out the 2025 Global School Health Survey, a nationally representative survey aimed at gathering critical data on the personal health behaviors of school-aged adolescents. To ensure the successful implementation of the survey, a national training program has been held in Kusami for collectors and administrators, equipping them with technical knowledge, ethical guidance and practical tools for survey administration. The questionnaire includes modules on nutrition, physical activity, mental health, alcohol and drug use and the role of familial support, as well as measuring height and weight. Illustrating the importance of this initiative, Dr Pascal Mwin, Technical Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases at the WHO Country Office, emphasized the “critical investment in building a stronger foundation for adolescent health in Ghana,” which will ultimately aid the effectiveness of the policies it will inform.
Looking Ahead
With continued aid from the WHO, there is cause for hope for encompassing and productive legislation to tackle the rising tide of chronic non-communicable diseases impacting Ghana, foster healthier school environments and increase access to adequate health care for those living in poverty.
– Libby Foxwell
Photo: Unsplash
Diseases Impacting French Polynesia and Efforts to Combat them
The Health Crisis at Hand
Dengue fever, a flu-like disease, has been a consistent issue in the region. During the 2023 outbreak, the Dengue Visual Atlas estimated there were 306 reported cases. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which thrive in warm tropical environments, spread the disease. Spiking during the rainy season because stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for the mosquitos.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that spreads via contaminated water or soil, has also caused concern. In 2023, health authorities reported 117 cases. This was substantially higher than the 12 during the same time period in 2022. Officials linked the increase to heavy flooding and rain in areas like Tahiti. Leptospirosis can have severe complications such as kidney damage, liver failure or even death if untreated.
Poverty in the country affects a lot of the outcome of disease spread. A study that the French Development Agency did in 2010 found that around 28% of the country lives in poverty, surviving on around $1,000 USD a month. A small elite population of the country also controls a disproportionate share of resources, placing even greater strain on lower income families. Many of the islands in the nation are also isolated and underdeveloped, lacking even basic health care. This causes many to travel just to receive simple treatment.
Community-Based Solutions
To combat diseases impacting French Polynesia, the nation’s government has implemented proactive and science based policies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), scientists in Tahiti are initiating a Sterile Insect Technique project of releasing sterilized male mosquitoes to combat dengue transmission. This method targets the mosquitos directly instead of using chemical pesticides, resulting in a more positive effect on the environment.
NGOs
The Institut Louis Malardé (ILM) established itself in 1949 in Tahiti, the nation’s largest island. It is a public research institute dedicated to progressing public health in French Polynesia. It initially focused on combating lymphatic filariasis. Since then, it has expanded its focus to address a spectrum of health challenges.
The ILM is a leader in research on dengue fever. Using more than 35-years of data, its researchers have developed models to analyze dengue surveillance, providing insights into immunity and transmission dynamics. The ILM has also conducted serosurveys, contributing to a larger understanding of viral circulation in the region.
Looking Ahead
French Polynesia continues to face the risks of viral infections and waterborne diseases, but its strategies are beginning to show results. Collaborative, community-based health solutions backed by data and research are helping residents stay informed and remain safe. With continued and consistent funding, ongoing education and continued cooperation, French Polynesia’s public health system will build resilience, not only with today’s epidemics and illnesses, but for future ones as well. In an isolated region with a tropical climate, health care can be challenging. The efforts are proving that prevention, rapid response and local leadership can form effective control on the diseases impacting French Polynesia.
– Brody L. Gates
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Reducing Poverty in Ukraine through Education
Higher Education in Ukraine
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the country supports educational access to all people, including those who have been displaced from Ukrainian territories due to Russia’s illegal invasion. In addition, citizens who meet certain requirements and qualifications can earn free tuition from existing educational categories of funds and budgets.
As stated by Boston College’s International Higher Education, roughly 16% of the total number of students in Ukraine have left Ukrainian territory since the start of the expanded war in 2022. Russia’s constant bombardment of cities and non-military targets has led to millions of Ukrainians fleeing their homes for safety and shelter in other parts of Ukraine and the world.
Russia has also attacked higher education institutions, which has increased the displacement of students and staff. On August 18, 2025, Sumy State University was struck by a missile and drone attack on Sumy conducted by Russia, damaging multiple university and residential buildings in the city.
In response to the current war, Ukraine’s universities have utilized remote learning, relocation, scholarships and other methods to enhance students’ educational skills, continue education and reduce poverty in Ukraine. As seen in different nations, education can produce a strong working class, contributing to the national economy and supporting current and future generations.
Programs and Initiatives Supporting Ukrainian Students
One international program created after the 2022 invasion is the Program for Hosting the Ukrainian Scientists. This program was also supported and backed by the Government of Paraná in Brazil, as stated by the Araucária Foundation. The foundation, aimed at supporting sustainable development in the state and working with many businesses across sectors, supported the relocation of Ukrainians in Ukraine to Paraná, which had a large existing Ukrainian population.
This program aimed to receive and aid refugees from the war by connecting them with fellow Ukrainians. It also gave Ukrainian researchers and professionals, the majority of whom are women, the ability to support initiatives that help Paraná’s economy. Additionally, these initiatives supplied research grants and served as a starting base for these Ukrainians to gain and expand skills related to improving Ukraine’s economy and reducing poverty in Ukraine after the war.
Another initiative that supports Ukrainian students studying abroad is the University of Tartu’s scholarship fund. According to its website, the University of Tartu in Estonia has enabled Ukrainian students to receive financial and social support. This support ensures that Ukrainian students can access education, ultimately supporting the devastated economy and reducing poverty in Ukraine, while positively contributing to themselves, their future and their host nation’s economy.
Ukrainian Catholic University’s Support
Higher education institutions in Ukraine have continued learning instruction for students despite being targeted in attacks and having to resort to other methods for teaching. Halyna Kurochka, head of the Center for Modern Foreign Languages and Anastasiia Kryzhanivska, an English and Polish lecturer at Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), spoke with The Borgen Project about UCU’s support for students during the war.
Kurochka and Kryzhanivska said, “The university quickly transitioned to online learning and later to hybrid formats, maintaining academic continuity despite the ongoing challenges. Now, we have returned to offline learning.” The ability to pivot quickly and effectively is key for Ukrainian universities in their fight to ensure educational access to all, including those who are in territories near the frontlines as well as those who are in protective shelters during missile and drone attacks.
As a result of these new locations and methods, the university “upgraded its digital infrastructure to better support both students and staff.” In addition to tailored educational methods, the “university integrated themes of civic responsibility, ethics, resilience and leadership into its curriculum,” promoting civic participation for students and future generations, declared Kurochka and Kryzhanivska.
The university also ensures financial support for students in need, especially those vulnerable and in the minority, with available scholarships and interest-free loans, expanding higher education access to more students. Kurochka and Kryzhanivska also said, “In 2024, 52% of applicants received some form of financial assistance, reflecting UCU’s commitment to supporting students during this difficult time.”
The university is also currently pursuing a project called the Intercultural Interaction and Cooperation through Transnational Education with Latin America, allowing students to learn together while connecting people and ideas from across the world.
Final Remarks
Higher education in any nation is important for younger generations to improve their futures. However, it is also key in reducing cyclical poverty and building and strengthening society. For Ukraine, higher education builds a sense of national pride while reducing poverty in Ukraine by creating a skilled and competitive workforce.
Kurochka and Kryzhanivska said, “The university has become a second home for many young people, where they not only receive an education but also take their first steps in building their careers.”
– Avery Kachmarsky
Photo: Flickr
Conflict and Addressing Poverty in the DRC
Decades of Conflict and Instability
Since the mid-1990s, the DRC has experienced near-continuous violence. The First Congo War began in 1996, followed by the Second Congo War in 1998, which involved multiple neighboring countries. While formal hostilities ended in 2003, armed groups continue to operate in eastern provinces such as North Kivu, Ituri and South Kivu.
Recent updates from the International Crisis Group highlight a resurgence in violence by the M23 rebel group and other militias. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 20 million people are in need of humanitarian aid in the DRC, with many in this situation for multiple years. Human Rights Watch reported in June 2025 that the M23 has forcibly transferred civilians and targeted local populations, worsening instability in North Kivu.
Poverty Deepens as Communities Are Displaced
Displacement due to violence has had severe economic consequences. The World Bank notes that instability has made it difficult for people to maintain steady incomes or access critical services such as education, health care and clean water. In rural areas, insecurity prevents farmers from cultivating land, disrupting food production and increasing hunger. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that around 28 million people in the DRC currently face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.
In areas like North Kivu, attacks on communities have forced families to abandon farms, livestock and livelihoods. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that more than 1 million people have been displaced. Conflict also weakens infrastructure and governance. In its latest country overview, the World Bank stated that public investments are limited, with many road networks and hospitals either damaged or inaccessible. Corruption and lack of coordination further slow efforts to rebuild after conflicts.
Organizations Working Toward Solutions
Despite immense challenges, several humanitarian and development organizations are making progress in addressing poverty in the DRC. These initiatives focus on long-term recovery, livelihood development and local empowerment. Concern Worldwide has been operating in the DRC since 1994.
In recent years, it has implemented community-based programs in Tanganyika and North Kivu provinces. These efforts combine emergency nutrition support with clean water access, agricultural training and local peacebuilding. According to Concern Worldwide, its 2023 program has supported more than 100,000 people, helping communities recover from displacement and return to farming.
Looking Ahead
Although the challenges are substantial, progress is underway. Local communities are increasingly involved in shaping solutions. Cash-transfer programs led by UNICEF in 2024 reached 14,000 vulnerable children and their families, allowing them to access food, clothing and shelter during emergencies. These interventions not only meet urgent needs but also build trust and agency within communities.
Addressing poverty in the DRC requires both humanitarian aid and long-term development strategies. By combining financial access, local governance support and community-driven recovery, organizations are helping the Congolese population rebuild from decades of disruption. As these programs expand and receive sustained support, more families will gain access to income, education and stability, which are vital tools for escaping the cycle of poverty.
– Charlie Wood
Photo: Flickr
Improving Food Security with Solar Cold Storage in Cambodia
Cambodia has experienced significant economic growth since the Khmer Rouge era. From 2007 to 2014, Cambodia’s poverty rate dropped from 47.8% to 13.7%. Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused an uptick in poverty, not all gains have been lost. Despite significant progress in Cambodia, rural communities still struggle. Of the five million people currently living in poverty, an estimated 90% live in rural areas.
Issues With Food Spoilage
Food scarcity remains a major driver of poverty, with about 16% of Cambodian households unable to afford adequate nutrition. Rural communities, which depend heavily on fishing and agriculture, face challenges from geographic isolation.
The problem is not a lack of arable land or resources, but insufficient infrastructure for storage and transportation. Solar-powered cold storage offers the most viable solution to preserving food quality in rural Cambodia.
Solar-Powered Cold Storage and Its Champions
Solar-powered cold storage offers an off-grid, sustainable solution for maintaining the freshness of perishables. This helps farmers and fishermen increase their profits and lowers food costs through reduced spoilage. Private and charitable organizations are leading initiatives, demonstrating solar-powered cold storage’s ethical and commercial viability.
EGE Energy Solution is a tech startup focused on transitioning Cambodia’s agrarian economy from fossil fuels and hydropower to solar solutions. The company is currently developing a solar-powered cold storage system and seeking investment. EGE believes that while solar energy requires a significant upfront investment, it is the right solution because it is reliable and has low long-term expenses.
Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered with Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to bring solar-based technology, including solar-powered cold storage, to Cambodia and Myanmar. Their goal is to advance solar-powered technology among 7,000 farms in Cambodia.
At the nexus of market and charitable solutions is the Aggrinovation Fund in ASEAN (AIF). Recently, AIF partnered with the Kasekor Akphiwat Thmei Agricultural Cooperative (KATAC), which proposed adding solar-powered cold storage units in their province. The goal was to reduce dependence on crop harvesters and protect against low yields.
Final Remarks
While not as groundbreaking as crop rotation or seed drill, solar-powered cold storage is an innovative technology for rural farmers. By cutting spoilage, boosting farmer income and making nutritious food more accessible, it addresses both poverty and food insecurity at their roots. With continued investment and collaboration, this sustainable solution can help transform Cambodia’s rural economy for the long term.
– Patrick Feeney
Photo: Flickr
The 1995 Global Summit Became a Blueprint for Ending Poverty
Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development
The Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development was the main political declaration that summit participants adopted in 1995. It outlines the global commitment to social development, focusing on reducing poverty.
The Copenhagen Declaration outlines ten key commitments. A summary of these commitments includes:
Declaration and Program of Action
Many governments adopted a “Declaration and Program of Action” in conjunction with the Copenhagen Declaration. This meant that they agreed to put people at the center of development, to advance social development by improving 10 core areas mentioned in the Copenhagen declaration. In the declaration of action, member states made a practical implementation plan to improve and promote social development and accelerate development in Africa and other developing countries across the world.
Furthermore, this declaration aimed to achieve its goals by addressing several key issues. These included debt elimination, reorientation of agricultural policies and increased Official Development Assistance (ODA). It also addressed collective bargaining rights, poverty vulnerability indicators, traditional rights to resources and health care access for low-income families.
How Did It Become a Blueprint for Ending Poverty?
30-Year Anniversary of the WSSD
In 2025, 30 years after the 1995 Global Summit, the United Nations (U.N.) will meet for the second WSSD, this time in Doha, Qatar, in November 2025. This summit will give global leaders the opportunity to rethink their position on social development and realign poverty as a political priority. The 2025 summit will also create an opening to discuss crucial issues that weren’t a priority 30 years ago, while also rebuilding trust between institutions and multilateralism.
– Emma Dornan
Photo: Flickr
HIV/AIDS in Slovakia: How Prevention Keeps Rates Low
Low Infection Rates Provide a Strong Foundation
Early Testing Detects Cases Sooner
Early diagnosis and effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) are two key benefits of early testing. Slovakia emphasizes voluntary testing through mobile clinics and testing centers located throughout the country, which is crucial for preventing transmission.
Five HIV/AIDS treatment centers operate in Bratislava, Košice, Martin, Nitra and Banská Bystrica. Bratislava accounts for 68% of patients. Services are free of charge regardless of insurance or employment, including for refugees.
Treatment Coverage Continues to Grow
The five centers provide life-saving treatment to those living with HIV/AIDS in Slovakia, ensuring care is accessible and available. A 2021 case study of 117 Slovaks with HIV showed that 89.4% received ART, and 85.1% expressed satisfied with it.
In October 2019, health care providers treated 895 individuals in Slovakia for HIV. Worldwide, researchers and health care providers have made much progress in HIV treatment over the past four decades.
Education and Awareness Campaigns Reach Key Groups
Despite progress, stigma is high surrounding HIV/AIDS in Slovakia. Many people do not share their diagnosis or attempt to ignore and hide their symptoms.
Out of 117 individuals, 60% hide their HIV medication, with only 2.9% willing to openly talk about it. Meanwhile, about 31.6% reported that people stigmatized and discriminated against them, especially dentists who refused to treat them.
People may discriminate against those living with HIV/AIDS in Slovakia through physical abuse, harassment and denial of housing, which can cause severe mental health challenges. However, public individuals, such as former Princess Diana of the U.K., have often fought the stigma surrounding the diseases. Princess Diana challenged these views when she opened the U.K.’s first dedicated HIV/AIDS unit in London in 1987, showing compassion towards patients and challenging misconceptions.
NGOS and Community Initiatives Make an Impact
NGOs addressing HIV/AIDS in Slovakia also play a vital role in reducing stigma and supporting vulnerable groups. These include:
All the services at these NGOs are free of charge, meaning that even those experiencing poverty can still access support and treatment. These NGOs play vital roles in reducing stigma, encouraging treatment and helping those whom traditional health care facilities may not, all while keeping infection rates low through direct community engagement.
Poverty and HIV/AIDS in Slovakia
Poverty and inequality influence HIV/AIDS in Slovakia. Migrants, sex workers and individuals with low incomes often face barriers accessing health care and sufficient education, consequently increasing their vulnerability to catching HIV/AIDS. However, the above NGOs and many more bridge this gap by offering their free support programs and tests.
Slovakia was found to be the second-poorest country in the EU in 2023, with senior individuals affected the most. Poverty and HIV/AIDS are interconnected, where poverty increases the chances of HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS increases poverty. Individuals with lower income or education are more prone to catching HIV/AIDS due to a lack of information and prevention or due to being homeless. Then, HIV/AIDS can easily slow economic growth, resulting in poverty.
Looking Ahead
HIV/AIDS in Slovakia remains low, with infection rates under control. Strong public health policies, accessible treatment and active community engagement drive this success story. For those facing poverty and inequality, access to care can be more challenging. However, NGOs are supporting these vulnerable groups.
– Rebecca Lamb-Busby
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Access to Drinking Water in Nepal
Water Quality and Why It Still Affects Nepal
One of the main reasons for the lack of clean drinking water is that Nepal’s supplied water is often polluted. This is primarily caused by both the surface and groundwater deteriorating in the Kathmandu Valley, also known as the Nepal Valley or Nepa Valley. The surface water is polluted by both domestic and industrial waste, along with the discharge of untreated sewage. This is mainly due to the tightly packed residential neighborhoods. The domestic sewage is one of the top contaminants that makes its way into rivers and lakes, the primary sources of Nepal’s drinking water.
The Effects
Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu produces about 150 tons of waste daily and nearly half flows into rivers. This is one of the main reasons that many Nepalis are not able to obtain clean drinking water from available sources. In some of the more rural regions of Nepal, many communities still rely heavily on tube wells for drinking water. More recently, one of the main concerns in these regions is groundwater contamination from arsenic. The Terai Region contains dense layers of sand and gravel deposits interlocked with flood plains carried by rivers and is very prone to arsenic contamination.
The Nepal Water Initiative
Emphasizing the themes of community engagement, student involvement and interdisciplinarity, the Nepal Water Initiative brings together the distinct perspectives of both marine and conservation science with those of religious studies, economics and anthropology, with the hopes of providing the people of Nepal with safe, accessible drinking water. A fundamental, guiding principle of this project is that it must be Nepali-driven, meaning that all of its work is both developed and implemented with the participation of Nepali stakeholders, community leaders, scholars and policy makers.
Another project, known as the Melamchi Water Supply Project, aims to bring clean water to Nepal, specifically within the Kathmandu Valley region. Furthermore, the Nepali government is currently working on a National Water Supply and Sanitation Act, as well as a Sector Development Plan aimed at guiding development and setting a roadmap for the near future.
Looking Forward
Efforts are underway to address the current water crisis in Nepal, including government initiatives, international aid and community-based projects that focus on water management, infrastructure development and promoting water conservation. These efforts show the desire to bring change, not only by Nepalis but also by countries around the world working together to ensure that Nepal receives the aid and care it needs to become a successful, healthy country.
– Simone Sanchez
Photo: Flickr
Cocoa Blockchain in Ghana: Technology Tracks Supply Chains
Cocoa Blockchain in Ghana
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), through the Global Quality and Standards Project (GQSP), is leading a project for cocoa blockchain in Ghana. They aim to explore how blockchain technology can improve transparency, traceability and sustainability in the cocoa supply chain.
Through funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implementation with Supply Chain Information Management B.V. (SIM), the project assesses the readiness of Ghana’s cocoa value chain to adopt blockchain. It maps key transactions and identifies potential challenges and benefits.
By securely recording and sharing data across the network, blockchain enables real-time monitoring of provenance, quality, environmental compliance and social standards from Ghanaian farmers to European chocolate producers.
In the long run, this digital infrastructure has the potential to attract investment, expand access to global markets and equip Ghana’s cocoa sector to compete more effectively in an increasingly sustainability-driven economy.
Ghana Coca Sector
Ghana’s cocoa and agriculture sectors are a big deal, employing some 800,000 farm families in Ghana and generating some $2 billion in foreign exchange annually. The sector makes up much of Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP). Issues like fraud, unethical sourcing and a lack of supply chain transparency still plague this thriving industry, jeopardizing fair farmer compensation and hurting Ghana’s reputation abroad.
By establishing an unchangeable, transparent ledger that records every step of production, guarantees that farmers receive payments, confirms moral labor practices and lowers fraud through real-time traceability, blockchain technology solves these problems.
Blockchain for Fair Cocoa Trade
European retailers and chocolate manufacturers are investing in blockchain to verify sustainable sourcing. This ensures that premiums for certified, high-quality cocoa reach the right farmers. Indeed, the goal is to improve incomes and support living wages.
The pilot represents a first milestone in applying blockchain to Ghana’s cocoa sector. It builds on more than a decade of UNIDO-supported quality infrastructure and trade capacity projects. Additionally, it is laying the foundation for scaling digital traceability, empowering smallholder farmers and promoting ethical sourcing.
Conclusion
As a cocoa blockchain in Ghana becomes embraced, the benefits extend far beyond technology. Smallholder farmers can receive fairer compensation and increased sales by creating stronger transparency and reliability of ethically sourced cocoa from Ghana. Chocolate companies (especially European ones with stronger ties to Ghana’s cocoa products) can buy more reliably from Ghanaian farmers. Furthermore, consumers will be happy to have that stronger trust and transparency in sourcing the chocolate they enjoy.
– Isaac Nelson
Photo: Flickr
Recycling Human Waste In Biochar to Diminish Fertilizer Shortage
Many farmers in developed nations such as China and the United States have been disproportionately affected by the current global trade crisis. In June 2024, China implemented new restrictions on fertilizer exports, including a significant reduction in urea exports by 83% compared to the previous year, solidifying the existing imbalance in the world’s trade economy. Many farmers in developing nations without access to Urea-Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) or other nitrogen-based fertilizers grapple with tighter supplies. They are forced to reevaluate spending as uncertainty rises.
Human Waste and Biochar: How it’s Manufactured
Morocco, Russia, China, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are the five countries that dominate the phosphate market, in turn, steadily taking control of fertilizer accessibility to global trade partners. Although this economic system has been reliable in the past, depletion of attainable resources and market tensions have made agricultural production less feasible. However, new studies on agricultural advancements have emerged, bringing attention to an innovative solution to reducing fertilizer shortages.
While not the most flattering topic, human waste may be an international golden ticket to making fertilizer more accessible for farmers. Studies have shown that human excrements can be applied annually to 15% of phosphorus, 25% of potassium and 17% of nitrogen in biochar fertilizer. If acted on, biochar could begin mitigating agricultural failures in developing nations by introducing a more accessible way to obtain fertilizer.
Biochar fertilizer is a soil amendment made from heating organic solids (or even fluids) at very high temperatures with negligible oxygen, creating a fertilizer that improves soil structure. Although the biochar process converts only solids, nutrients taken from urine could be added. Compared to treated sewage, researchers can separate waste at the source from harmful microplastics, heavy metals, PFAS, pathogens and pharmaceuticals in biochar fertilizer. On top of the many beneficiaries, biochar can have its nutritional proportions altered depending on the needs of the individual crop, increasing its versatility across all types of farmland.
What it Could Lead to
Among the leading benefits for farmers and product growth in farmland, biochar is one of the most innovative solutions against climate instability caused by agriculture. As agriculture and related land use account for 25% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, biochar is starting to be considered a promising alternative to reducing this percentage.
Studies estimate that the process of manufacturing biochar removes up to 90% of human waste, improving the efficiency of transportation. In addition, the production acts as a carbon sink, removing its man-made excess from the atmosphere. As humanity faces an uncertain future in its relationship with ecological sustainability, taking the first steps toward a green transition, such as the global adoption of biochar fertilizer from human waste within a circular economy, can benefit countless communities.
– Sam Barbagallo
Photo: Wikimedia Commons