Often associated with cultural exchange and diplomacy, Sister city partnerships can, however, also play a meaningful role in expanding access to education in underserved communities. By connecting local institutions across borders, these programs create opportunities for students who may otherwise have limited exposure to global learning experiences.
The partnership between San Diego and Jalalabad offers a lens through which to examine how city-to-city collaboration can support educational access while also highlighting the broader impact and limitations of these initiatives.
Sister City Partnerships and Access to Education
Sister city programs, often coordinated by organizations such as Sister Cities International, are designed to foster mutual understanding through cultural, economic and educational exchanges. In many cases, these partnerships include student programs, school collaborations and community-led initiatives that contribute to long-term development goals. Education, in particular, serves as a key pathway through which these relationships can address inequality and expand opportunity.
Bryan Fisher, the president of the Matsuyama-Sacramento Sister City Corporation, highlighted how these partnerships function at the community level. “We have great access to high schools in the SCUSD district,” Fisher told The Borgen Project in an interview. “At C.K. McClatchy High School, we have a large economically disadvantaged population. Through our sister-city relationship with CKM, we have students who do a homestay there during the spring and summer. We also sponsor a student trip to Japan every two years with Rosemont and CKM.”
Programs like these provide students with opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom learning. Through homestays and exchange visits, participants gain firsthand exposure to different cultures and educational environments. The Sacramento-based program, for example, hosts students from Japan and organizes trips abroad for local students every two years, allowing participants to engage in immersive learning experiences.
Building Long-Term Impact Through Exchange
These types of exchanges can have lasting educational and social impacts. According to Fisher, one of the most important outcomes is the formation of long-term relationships. “When students host students from Japan and travel to Japan, it’s a great opportunity for them to make those long-term relationships and connections,” he explained. “Many of my students do and still maintain those relationships.”
The structure of these programs contributes to their effectiveness. Unlike short-term or virtual interactions, extended exchanges allow students to build deeper connections. “The proximity and the ability to get to know the students for two weeks go beyond the superficial encounters students would get online,” Fisher said. This level of engagement can enhance cultural understanding, improve communication skills and broaden educational aspirations—particularly for students from underserved backgrounds.
In regions affected by conflict and economic instability, access to education, especially for girls, can be limited. Sister city collaborations can help address these gaps by supporting local initiatives, providing resources and facilitating knowledge exchange between communities.
Challenges Facing Sister City Partnerships
While these programs offer meaningful benefits, they are not without challenges. One of the most significant barriers is funding. “The biggest struggle we have is long-term funding and engagement from our community,” Fisher noted. Like many volunteer-driven organizations, sister city programs often rely on sustained local support, which can fluctuate over time.
Demographic shifts also present challenges. As founding members of these organizations age, maintaining momentum can become more difficult. “Our organization has been around for 45 years and the community that founded it is aging out,” Fisher said. “Finding new and younger people is a struggle.”
Access and equity within the programs themselves can also be uneven. While some schools and families are well-positioned to participate in exchange programs, others face barriers related to cost and resources. “It’s often easier to find families interested in hosting at some schools like CKM that have a student population with some wealth and with room to host,” Fisher explained. “Going beyond these types of schools and families, our organization has trouble with funding more expensive experiences that we could offer to more disadvantaged groups.”
These limitations underscore the importance of sustained investment and inclusive program design. Without adequate funding and outreach, the benefits of sister city partnerships may not reach the students who could benefit most. Addressing these gaps is essential for ensuring that educational opportunities are distributed more equitably.
Final Remarks
Despite these challenges, sister city partnerships remain a valuable tool for expanding access to education and reducing global inequality. By fostering direct connections between communities, these programs create pathways for learning, cultural exchange and long-term collaboration. When supported by consistent funding and community engagement, they can help broaden opportunities for students in both partner cities.
While sister city programs alone cannot resolve systemic barriers to education, they offer a practical and community-driven approach to expanding access and fostering connections that extend far beyond the classroom.
– Jason Hill
Jason is based in Fullerton, CA, USA and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
US Funding to Alleviate Poverty in Sudan and Afghanistan
Current Situation in Sudan and Afghanistan
In recent weeks, the U.N. has publicly called for more countries to contribute funding for Sudan and Afghanistan. On May 15, 2026, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) issued a report stating that 19.5 million people in Sudan, or 41% of the population, are struggling with high levels of food insecurity, including an estimated 825,000 children under 5 suffering from severe acute malnutrition. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), approximately 28 million people in Afghanistan were living in poverty in 2025, a figure that has changed little in 2026. These individuals are struggling to afford food, housing and health care due to economic hardships. However, increased U.S. funding enables U.N. agencies to address these issues more effectively.
Ongoing Aid Projects in Sudan
The increased funding from the U.S. will help strengthen ongoing aid projects in Sudan that tackle issues related to poverty. For example, as of May 2026, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) runs the SANAD program, which has assisted over 182,000 household members in Sudan by providing them access to cash support and essential health care services. Additionally, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Sudan operates a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program that works to upgrade the water and sanitation infrastructure and distribute hygiene and cholera kits to prevent the spread of diseases and infections. Increased funding to the UN will enhance these programs that are already saving lives and will eventually contribute to ending the conflict in Sudan.
Basic Human Needs Programs in Afghanistan
The UN is currently running basic human needs programs (BHN) in Afghanistan that provide vulnerable communities access to essential services that can improve their quality of life. In 2025, BHN programs provided access to health care services to more than 34 million people struggling with urgent health conditions. Furthermore, the BHN programs have helped 4.6 million children deprived of schooling gain access to education. Since 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been providing food rations and nutrition assistance to more than 12.4 million people in Afghanistan. Thus, the increased funding from the U.S. to the U.N. will empower its aid agencies to reach more vulnerable people in Afghanistan who urgently need food, health care and education.
Hope for the Most Vulnerable
The increased funding from the U.S. to the U.N. results from the passionate advocacy of the U.N. and its local partner organizations for vulnerable communities in Sudan and Afghanistan. In Sudan, the U.N. and the IRC have raised awareness of the millions who have accessed essential health care services, clean water, and food, as well as the millions still living in poverty. In Afghanistan, the U.N. and the WFP have highlighted the millions of children who have finally accessed education and nutrition assistance, while emphasizing that the work is far from over. This advocacy means millions of vulnerable women and children will now be able to study and eat healthy food, eventually leading to a higher quality of life for everyone.
– Abdullah Dowaihy
Photo: Flickr
Vertical Agriculture and Food Security in Saudi Arabia
A major technological breakthrough is shifting the paradigm by combining two things the Arab Peninsula has an ample supply of; seawater and sunlight. A new method of desalination is allowing completely solar-powered greenhouses to operate using saltwater piped directly from the sea into wells, creating ideal growing conditions. The innovation was adopted over the last decade in sun-coated countries like Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The technology draws inspiration from ancient architectural designs built for extreme heat. Traditional palaces in Persia, for example, integrated cascading wall fountains and courtyard pools to harness evaporative cooling, effectively creating a primitive, self-sustaining air conditioning system.
What is Vertical Agriculture?
To address mounting agricultural threats, Dickson Despommier, an American professor of public and environmental health, introduced the concept of the vertical farm in 1999. A method that optimizes food production by cultivating crops in vertically stacked layers within strictly controlled indoor environments. Because these systems are completely enclosed, they can thrive in any geographic location, spanning from dense city centers to arid, scorching deserts.
While standard vertical farms rely heavily on municipal fresh water, a groundbreaking twist on this design uses the ocean to fuel production. Rather than needing expensive, energy-intensive air conditioning to shield crops from desert heat, specialized facilities trickle raw seawater down porous cooling pads. As hot desert winds pass through the moisture, evaporation cools the interior air by up to 15 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, the moisture-laden air condenses against cold water pipes, creating a constant internal supply of pure freshwater drops that hydrate the vertically stacked plants. According to global infrastructure reports by corporations like Mitsui, scaling these closed-loop ecosystems allows arid nations to generate massive agricultural yields using zero net freshwater.
What Does This Mean for Food Security in Saudi Arabia?
With a landscape that is 95% desert and a population approaching 37 million people, Saudi Arabia faces a critical ecological challenge as it relies on diminishing groundwater reserves that cannot be replenished. Vision 2030 is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strategic blueprint for economic diversification and long-term environmental sustainability. As the country faces extreme water stress, the initiative heavily prioritizes water resource protection by cutting down on the depletion of natural aquifers.
With vertical agriculture in Saudi Arabia, the government aims to dramatically improve water efficiency by integrating a “circular economy” model that scales up wastewater recycling, implements smart irrigation technologies, and mandates clean, eco-friendly food production systems like vertical farming. By transitioning away from traditional open-field flood irrigation in Saudi, the expansion of vertical farming and high-tech hydroponic systems delivers up to 95% water savings while enabling reliable, year-round yields without pesticide reliance.
How is it Being Implemented?
According to analysis by PwC Middle East, Saudi Arabia has accelerated the adoption of these modern greenhouse solutions through multi-billion Riyal investment plans managed over the past few years. A prominent real-world deployment for vertical agriculture in Saudi Arabia is taking place at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Located on the shores of the Red Sea, it has served as the primary testing ground for spin-out enterprises like Red Sea Farms. Additionally, Red Sea Global (RSG) – the massive state-backed developer behind the region’s regenerative tourism destinations – has integrated these saltwater-cooled, indoor agricultural networks directly into its food development zones. Strategically placing these commercial facilities along the coast allows them to draw directly from an infinite marine supply, proving that hyper-arid desert terrain can be transformed into localized, climate-resilient food centers without placing any pressure on inland freshwater resources.
Looking Ahead
Ultimately, this agricultural evolution represents a vital structural shift toward self-sufficiency and food security in Saudi Arabia. As international partners continue to invest in climate-resilient food infrastructure, the lessons learned on the Red Sea coast will provide blueprints for other drought-prone nations across East Africa and the Middle East. The scaling of vertical agriculture in Saudi Arabia stands as a powerful testament to how creative engineering can safeguard human livelihoods, protect precious natural resources and pave a sustainable path toward resource-independent food security.
– Celine Dib
Photo: Flickr
Expanding Education Access in Rural Nepal
Organizations such as UNICEF Nepal report that children in hard-to-reach areas of Nepal are experiencing unequal access to quality education. Many rural schools also struggle with a shortage of qualified teachers and educational materials. Community libraries in rural Nepal help address these gaps by giving students access to computers, books and tutoring programs.
Community Libraries in Nepal
In recent years, several community organizations have set up libraries and learning centers within rural Nepal. Many community libraries in rural Nepal offer Wi-Fi, literacy programs and after-school tutoring for children who do not have a good environment for studying anywhere else.
Room to Read is one organization seeking to offer educational opportunities to Nepalese students. Room to Read has been involved in literacy projects in Nepal since its first operation in 2000, providing assistance with girls’ education programs. The organization has published numerous children’s books in regional languages to support literacy growth while establishing many libraries around the world.
In Nepal, these organizations work hand-in-hand with the community and schools to form children’s libraries filled with culturally relevant literature. In addition, the programs ensure that educators and librarians are trained to help children acquire the ability to read. The program claims that these efforts result in good academic results and increased reading.
READ Global is another organization that promotes education in rural areas. In Nepal, READ Global collaborates with local communities to create community libraries and resource centers that offer computer training, educational resources and initiatives for women’s empowerment. The group has established several community libraries across Nepal since its establishment in 1991.
Technology and Literacy Support
In Nepal, community libraries are increasingly offering digital learning opportunities. Libraries are important for children to get access to computers and educational technologies because many rural areas still have poor internet connectivity. Some provide lessons in digital literacy, teaching students how to use online learning resources and develop computer skills that might help them find work in the future.
According to the World Bank, improving education could be the key to reducing Nepal’s poverty. As the level of education and literacy of the population increases, people could get better paying jobs, which in turn helps to boost the local economy
Furthermore, libraries also allow women to access further education. Girls in rural Nepal sometimes drop out of school at an early age due to domestic issues or financial troubles. In this regard, community libraries provide motivating environments for women to engage in literacy activities.
Education Access in Rural Nepal
One of the most effective ways to fight poverty is through education. Community libraries offer Nepalese students and their families opportunities for the future while helping them overcome existing educational barriers. Access to literature, the internet and help with reading could increase students’ success in academic and career opportunities.
Organizations and local groups continue to expand access to education and resources across rural Nepal despite ongoing obstacles. These initiatives are providing kids with the resources they need to pursue higher education and improve their future employment prospects by funding neighbourhood libraries and learning centres.
Community libraries in rural Nepal show how local, community-driven solutions can reduce educational inequality and expand learning opportunities. Organizations such as UNICEF, Room to Read and READ Global continue to support these efforts by funding and developing rural education programs.
By strengthening literacy programs, improving digital access and supporting local communities, community libraries in rural Nepal help create long-term pathways out of poverty through education.
– Avery Hoadley
Photo: Flickr
Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka: Protecting Vulnerable Women
Organizations in Sri Lanka are expanding prevention, rehabilitation and community education programs aimed at reducing trafficking risks and supporting long-term poverty reduction. Efforts led by groups such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Women in Need (WIN) focus on safe migration education, victim support and economic empowerment programs that help vulnerable women and families reduce their exposure to exploitative migration pathways.
Economic Instability and Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis increased financial pressure on low-income households and contributed to rising overseas migration. According to a report, more than 312,000 Sri Lankans left the country for overseas employment in 2024, the highest figure ever recorded, driven by ongoing economic hardship and demand for overseas work. Many Sri Lankan women seek employment abroad in domestic work and caregiving sectors to support their families financially.
This migration pattern is shaped by gender inequality, as women often have fewer local income opportunities and may rely on overseas domestic work to support household expenses. As a result, safe migration information and verified recruitment channels are especially important for families relying on overseas work as a source of income.
International organizations have warned that human trafficking in Sri Lanka may become more difficult to prevent when deceptive recruitment practices, high recruitment costs and exploitative labor conditions affect migrant workers during the migration process. According to IOM, migrant workers, including women in domestic and care work, may face withheld travel documents, debt-related coercion and restricted freedom of movement after arriving in destination countries.
In response, IOM supports safe migration awareness programs in Sri Lanka that help workers identify verified recruitment agencies and better understand labor rights before migrating abroad. IOM also works with local authorities to strengthen victim identification and rehabilitation services for trafficking survivors.
Prevention Through Awareness Campaigns
Community awareness programs have become an important part of efforts to reduce human trafficking in Sri Lanka. In June 2025, IOM and Sri Lanka’s National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) launched a nationwide media campaign to raise awareness about trafficking risks, including forced labor, sexual exploitation and cyber scam-related exploitation. The campaign aimed to help communities identify trafficking risks and encourage the reporting of suspected cases.
The campaign focused on communities where limited job opportunities and unsafe recruitment channels may increase vulnerability to exploitation. By using television, radio and digital media, the initiative worked to provide workers and families with information about safe migration practices and available support services before accepting overseas employment opportunities. For low-income households, this type of information can help protect both worker safety and a potential source of family income.
UNICEF Sri Lanka has also supported community-based education and protection programs for economically vulnerable families affected by migration and financial instability. These initiatives aim to strengthen social support systems and improve awareness of exploitation risks and available support services.
WIN and Rehabilitation Efforts
Local organizations also continue expanding rehabilitation and empowerment services aimed at reducing human trafficking in Sri Lanka and supporting women affected by violence and exploitation. WIN, established in 1987, provides legal assistance, counseling and shelter services for women experiencing abuse and exploitation. According to a review published by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), WIN has played a significant role in supporting women affected by violence and promoting women’s rights in Sri Lanka.
WIN also supports vocational training and economic empowerment initiatives to improve long-term financial stability for vulnerable women. Employment training and financial support programs may help reduce trafficking risks by increasing access to stable income opportunities, reducing economic dependence and giving women safer alternatives to risky migration arrangements. Furthermore, it works to improve awareness of gender-based violence and women’s rights through community outreach and educational programs.
These initiatives aim to help women access support services and better understand the legal protections available to survivors of violence and exploitation.
Continued Efforts To Reduce Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka
Human trafficking in Sri Lanka remains closely connected to poverty, migration pressures and limited labor protections for vulnerable workers. However, organizations including IOM, UNICEF Sri Lanka and WIN continue to expand prevention and rehabilitation efforts focused on safe migration education, victim support and economic empowerment.
Despite ongoing challenges, investments in community education, vocational training and survivor support services continue to assist vulnerable communities across Sri Lanka. Continued cooperation between international organizations, local nonprofits and government agencies may help reduce trafficking risks while expanding safer income pathways for vulnerable women and families across Sri Lanka.
– Natalia Fleith Gelasko
Photo: Flickr
How Kashmiri Women Stand up for Their Rights in a Conflict Zone
According to a study published in Contemporary South Asia, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) is one of the most powerful symbols of standing up for women’s rights in conflict zones. Parveena Ahangar, a mother searching for her son who was abducted and mistaken for a militant, started this initiative with the hope of bringing wives, mothers and daughters together to create a political movement.
Their Form of Resistance
There is a Kashmiri concept called thakawath, which refers to being exhausted from waiting. The APDP reversed this idea by adopting a tactic called “active waiting.” For decades, these women have refused to give up, consistently showing up in society through sit-ins and by holding photographs of their loved ones who went missing.
What makes this brave is how such a simple act of appearing in society challenges the status quo. They prevent society from forgetting their loved ones while also raising international awareness of the human rights violations occurring in their community.
Half-Widows
Half-widows are women whose husbands have disappeared but have not been declared dead. These women face constant uncertainty and economic and social vulnerability. According to Diaspora in Action for Human Rights and Democracy (DAHD), while widows can receive compensation, half-widows cannot. Their in-laws do not support them, do not grant them property rights and do not provide aid to support their children.
Bravery
In response to this issue, Kashmiri women refused to give in to societal expectations. They bravely entered military sites and courts to fight against the government in search of their husbands. They also began relying on their talents, such as agriculture and artistic crafts, to become breadwinners for their families.
Other women, such as Zamruda Habib, founded another organization called Muslim Khawateen, which advocates for women’s voices. According to a report, “[Ahangar] and Zamruda founded activist platforms and organized public resistance because of their own suffering at the hands of the State and their determination to highlight the injustices that they and women like them had suffered. They inspired a generation of young Kashmiri women to highlight social issues and build networks of women to address them.”
Despite mainstream media often overlooking women’s rights in conflict zones, the stories and resistance of Kashmiri women have reached the world in powerful ways. Whether it is a mother holding a photograph in a public space or another woman fighting the legal system, Kashmiri women continue to stand up bravely for their rights. They strive every day to be heard and seen.
– Hasini Muddapu
Photo: Flickr
The Rule of Law in the Isle of Man: Fragility and Changes
The Rule of Law Fragility
In the Isle of Man, like most nations, institutions carry the task of protecting vulnerable individuals’ rights. When those institutional mechanisms fail, those in positions of power rarely bear the weight. Those who are marginalized and have almost no voice do. Recent reforms show how the Isle of Man changed its priorities by understanding the fragility and the rule of law in the Isle of Man.
The Isle of Man is home to many people with living situations that expose them to unfair treatment. Migrants navigating complex immigration rules, low-income families dependent on social support and those caught in the criminal justice system all face risk. Although specific data for the Isle of Man are rare, Comparative studies have shown that, for these people, obtaining legal representation and fair treatment are recurring issues.
Poverty and Access to Justice
Poverty represents one of the most significant barriers to justice in the Isle of Man. Low-income individuals often cannot afford legal representation, leaving them unable to challenge unfair decisions. According to recent data, approximately 15% of the island’s population lives in relative poverty after household costs, making access to the justice system a serious concern.
The Isle of Man government has taken steps to address this gap through legal aid programs designed to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent individuals from exercising their legal rights. Legal aid plans to provide representation in courts for people who aren’t able to afford lawyers, using specific eligibility criteria to ensure no one is excluded from the justice system because of costs.
The Reform That Changed the Island
The Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2021 represents the most recent shift for the rule of law in the Isle of Man. The legislation gave the criminal justice board a mandate to overhaul the entire system, from policing to detention. The board removed outdated laws that were slowing and hindering the system. It also accelerated the handling of cases. The faster and optimized process gave marginalized individuals access to justice again, particularly benefiting those who could not afford months of legal disputes.
In immigration matters, Isle of Man courts have started to push back against unfair government decisions that fall short of human rights standards. In recent cases, courts found that some revoked visas failed to comply with European human rights principles, which forced the government to answer to a higher standard. For foreign nationals with limited resources and almost no political power, this oversight has been one of their only protections.
To ensure that reforms to the rule of law in the Isle of Man survive political pressure, judges receive appointments through a process free from political influence. Courts remain accessible to the public, allowing all who are interested to witness accountability and the judicial process directly. These are not merely features. They are purposefully designed to prevent authorities from abandoning reforms when they become inconvenient.
What Remains at Stake
Progress is real, but it is never permanent. Vulnerable people still face risks when legal reforms take too long, when court oversight weakens and when court access becomes too costly for those in poverty. The framework, while stronger than before, still needs constant revision to ensure proper functioning. In other words, the rule of law in the Isle of Man needs accountability for its reforms in order to prosper.
The High Court judgment shows that the rule of law in the Isle of Man is not only about formal proceedings but whether the courts are able to guarantee that vulnerable people are still heard when institutions of power fail them. By allowing the human right claim, the High Court proved that accountability, fairness and public scrutiny are central when serious and cumulative harm are made against public bodies. The rule of law in the Isle of Man is still fragile, but with each improvement, it becomes stronger, more efficient and better at protecting the population.
– Charles Bakar
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Women’s Economic Empowerment in Hasbaya
Yet, beneath this scenic tranquility, rural communities face deep economic marginalization intensified by national financial instability and geographical isolation. In the lanes of Hasbaya’s historic souks, a new narrative is taking shape; not of crisis, but of enterprise.
Hounna Lil Tamkeen Project
Launched in late 2025 and scaling through 2026, the “Hounna Lil Tamkeen” project (Women for Empowerment) equips participants with the technical skills and business resources to establish their own guesthouses and craft enterprises.
The project is part of a broader movement; the United Development Program (UNDP) recently provided $1.5 million in assistance and technical support to women-led enterprises and cooperatives to restore local production and livelihoods across Lebanon.
The Leadership and Vision
Al Madad Foundation established the project as a core initiative under the vision of its founder, Lebanese-British artist and humanitarian Aya Haidar. Haidar’s work frequently explores themes of cultural heritage and the value of women’s domestic labor, actively shifting the focus from traditional aid toward a model of “creative empowerment.” The leadership’s philosophy for Hounna Lil Tamkeen pushes business ownership rather than one-time food parcels. It also professionalizes the production of mouneh (traditional preserves), ensuring that Lebanese heritage becomes a marketable asset in the modern economy. The project acts as a direct intervention against the rising poverty rates in rural Lebanon, where one out of every three citizens now lives below the poverty line. It provides a sustainable path toward women’s economic empowerment in Hasbaya in this traditionally conservative region.
How it Works: From Training to Table
Instead of requiring women to travel to urban hubs for work, the initiative brings the professional economy directly to their doorsteps through three distinct phases:
From Blueprint to Reality
The tangible reality of this economic shift is documented directly by the field updates of the “Hounna Lil Tamkeen” initiative on social media. Supported by the Mediterranean Women’s Fund and guided by expert trainer Omar Abou Ali, the project successfully executed its specialized “Treasures of Hermon: Feminine Tourism” training modules across rural South Lebanon. After conducting successful training blocks in the towns of Kfayr and Mimes, the foundational phase concluded with an intensive two-day workshop in the village of Khalwat. The field execution seamlessly bridged hospitality with the region’s culinary heritage, featuring a traditional rural lunch that served as a practical showcase for professionalized, homemade preserve production (mouneh). Moving forward, these real-world assessments are being translated directly into localized tourism brochures for each village, creating a permanent marketing infrastructure that connects rural women directly to the modern travel economy.
Looking Ahead
The success of these rural initiatives mirrors a broader national effort to revitalize Lebanon’s economy through women’s economic empowerment in Hasbaya. International partners have mobilized substantial support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which comprise 90% of Lebanon’s economy and serve as the backbone of local livelihoods. Under the Women’s Economic Empowerment Project, a total of $1.106 million in grants has reached 96 SMEs, providing both financial capital and United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s (UNIDO) technical support to strengthen operations and expand market reach. Ultimately, the project aims to support more than 1,000 women-led businesses, ensuring that as Lebanon navigates its recovery, women remain at the heart of a more equitable and sustainable economic future.
– Celine Dib
Photo: Flickr
How Hydroponic Farming in Grenada Can Increase Food Security
Need for Alternative Farming
Grenada’s traditional cultivation methods remain under constant stress. In 2024, Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm at the time of landing, destroyed many buildings on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, including agricultural infrastructure. The yearly dry season from January to May often brings extended droughts, leading to water shortages and groundwater depletion. Increased global temperatures have created advantageous conditions for pests that endanger crops. The inconsistency of Grenada’s rainfall has caused soil degradation. All of these factors necessitate a new system, specifically addressing cultivation with limited soil, space and water.
Why Hydroponics?
Hydroponic farming in Grenada is a viable solution because it offers stability through covered structures, a reduction of soil-borne pests, efficiency of space and reduced water usage. Compared to traditional methods, hydroponic farming uses up to 90% less water. Additionally, farmers can grow crops inside or under cover, using steadily flowing nutrient-rich water rather than soil. Hydroponic systems are also relatively low maintenance and require less physical exertion, as there is no need to till the soil. These factors create a controlled system free of inconsistencies in rainfall and extreme temperatures. Hydroponic farming is also compatible with many fast-growing, edible crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, spinach and kale.
However, the system does have limitations. Upfront costs can be high, as effective systems require a greenhouse, hydroponic system, solar pump and access to electricity. Also, the process relies on a precise flow of water that must be balanced and adjusted over time, so farmers new to hydroponics will need training before managing their own systems. The FAO addressed these concerns by providing local farmers with all of the necessary equipment and training, as well as solar panels to reduce electricity costs. With a concerted effort from the Grenadian government, alongside outside aid, hydroponic farming in Grenada could become a widespread success, particularly for small family farms.
Looking Ahead
In March 2026, Reach Within, a local charity in Grenada, announced it had received funding from Irish Aid to build one hydroponic technology system for training Grenadian youth in food production. Fork Farms, a hydroponic technology company in the Caribbean, will provide the equipment. Fork Farms has also provided hydroponic technology to Barbados, Anguilla and the Cayman Islands through the Caribbean Climate-Smart Accelerator. Reach Within will give 30 children the opportunity to learn job and life skills centered around hydroponic farming in Grenada. As the FAO begins assisting local farmers in building their own systems, this project will provide valuable skills that could alter the future of Grenada’s food production.
– Josh Megson
Photo: Flickr
Sister City Partnerships and Access to Education
The partnership between San Diego and Jalalabad offers a lens through which to examine how city-to-city collaboration can support educational access while also highlighting the broader impact and limitations of these initiatives.
Sister City Partnerships and Access to Education
Sister city programs, often coordinated by organizations such as Sister Cities International, are designed to foster mutual understanding through cultural, economic and educational exchanges. In many cases, these partnerships include student programs, school collaborations and community-led initiatives that contribute to long-term development goals. Education, in particular, serves as a key pathway through which these relationships can address inequality and expand opportunity.
Bryan Fisher, the president of the Matsuyama-Sacramento Sister City Corporation, highlighted how these partnerships function at the community level. “We have great access to high schools in the SCUSD district,” Fisher told The Borgen Project in an interview. “At C.K. McClatchy High School, we have a large economically disadvantaged population. Through our sister-city relationship with CKM, we have students who do a homestay there during the spring and summer. We also sponsor a student trip to Japan every two years with Rosemont and CKM.”
Programs like these provide students with opportunities that extend beyond traditional classroom learning. Through homestays and exchange visits, participants gain firsthand exposure to different cultures and educational environments. The Sacramento-based program, for example, hosts students from Japan and organizes trips abroad for local students every two years, allowing participants to engage in immersive learning experiences.
Building Long-Term Impact Through Exchange
These types of exchanges can have lasting educational and social impacts. According to Fisher, one of the most important outcomes is the formation of long-term relationships. “When students host students from Japan and travel to Japan, it’s a great opportunity for them to make those long-term relationships and connections,” he explained. “Many of my students do and still maintain those relationships.”
The structure of these programs contributes to their effectiveness. Unlike short-term or virtual interactions, extended exchanges allow students to build deeper connections. “The proximity and the ability to get to know the students for two weeks go beyond the superficial encounters students would get online,” Fisher said. This level of engagement can enhance cultural understanding, improve communication skills and broaden educational aspirations—particularly for students from underserved backgrounds.
In regions affected by conflict and economic instability, access to education, especially for girls, can be limited. Sister city collaborations can help address these gaps by supporting local initiatives, providing resources and facilitating knowledge exchange between communities.
Challenges Facing Sister City Partnerships
While these programs offer meaningful benefits, they are not without challenges. One of the most significant barriers is funding. “The biggest struggle we have is long-term funding and engagement from our community,” Fisher noted. Like many volunteer-driven organizations, sister city programs often rely on sustained local support, which can fluctuate over time.
Demographic shifts also present challenges. As founding members of these organizations age, maintaining momentum can become more difficult. “Our organization has been around for 45 years and the community that founded it is aging out,” Fisher said. “Finding new and younger people is a struggle.”
Access and equity within the programs themselves can also be uneven. While some schools and families are well-positioned to participate in exchange programs, others face barriers related to cost and resources. “It’s often easier to find families interested in hosting at some schools like CKM that have a student population with some wealth and with room to host,” Fisher explained. “Going beyond these types of schools and families, our organization has trouble with funding more expensive experiences that we could offer to more disadvantaged groups.”
These limitations underscore the importance of sustained investment and inclusive program design. Without adequate funding and outreach, the benefits of sister city partnerships may not reach the students who could benefit most. Addressing these gaps is essential for ensuring that educational opportunities are distributed more equitably.
Final Remarks
Despite these challenges, sister city partnerships remain a valuable tool for expanding access to education and reducing global inequality. By fostering direct connections between communities, these programs create pathways for learning, cultural exchange and long-term collaboration. When supported by consistent funding and community engagement, they can help broaden opportunities for students in both partner cities.
While sister city programs alone cannot resolve systemic barriers to education, they offer a practical and community-driven approach to expanding access and fostering connections that extend far beyond the classroom.
– Jason Hill
Photo: Flickr
Tech Hubs and Youth Economic Empowerment in Iraq
Background
The urgency for youth economic empowerment in Iraq is driven by demographics, with roughly 60% of the population under the age of 25. The private work sector finds itself limited in size and scope while trying to accommodate this influx of talent. While the public sector remains the traditional anchor of the economy, it has become a room with no remaining seats; today’s graduates are stepping into a workspace that is already at capacity.
As a result, Iraq records a higher percentage of 13.5% unemployment and lower labor force participation rates of 38% than the regional average. This highlights why digital hubs have become the primary engine for youth economic empowerment in Iraq. As of 2026, in an economy where petroleum still anchors over 90% of the national budget, these hubs are carving out a non-oil economy and growing steadily since last year.
Digital Leap
By providing high-speed internet infrastructure, resources often unavailable in private homes, these centers enable a “digital leap” for a generation entering the job market. Through courses in high-demand fields like AI data labeling and cybersecurity, the internet could connect young Iraqis to the global “gig economy.” This could allow graduates to bypass a stagnant local labor market and earn stable, international-level wages.
This decoupling is a critical lifeline, ensuring the financial future of Iraqi youth is no longer tied to global oil prices. Furthermore, these hubs could help narrow the gender gap; by 2024, targeted outreach has begun to raise the historically low female labor participation rate by offering remote work pathways that respect local cultural contexts.
Silicon Valley of Baghdad
The “Silicon Valley of Baghdad” narrative finds its blueprint in the south, within a specific Public Youth Center.
Souq Al-Shoyukh Community and Climate Hub (SSCH) is Iraq’s very first government-based community innovation center. With the efforts and partnership of UNDP-Iraq, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Nahr Al-Uloom Foundation, this shared space now harnesses local knowledge into real solutions and ventures.
While most tech hubs cluster in northern cities like Erbil or Mosul, the South has historically lacked opportunities for technical development. Indeed, the SSCH model addresses this gap by creating a government-supported infrastructure that bypasses the short lifespans of private, donor-dependent hubs. By providing reliable electricity and industrial-grade equipment, hubs like this act as a safe space for digital creation and a rescue from existing infrastructure gaps.
Looking Ahead
The expansion of these digital hubs signals a fundamental shift in Iraq’s social contract. By 2026, the success of centers like the SSCH proves that the future of youth economic empowerment lies in a high-tech synergy between public infrastructure and private initiative.
Rather than replacing traditional sectors, these hubs could act as a bridge, equipping a new generation to modernize Iraq’s economy from within.
By connecting local talent to the global digital frontier, Iraq is repositioning its most valuable resource: the intellectual capital of its youth.
– Celine Dib
Photo: Flickr