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SM Sehgal Foundation: Modern Technology and India’s Agriculture

SM Sehgal FoundationAccording to the International Trade Administration, as of mid-2024, there are almost a million combined internet and smartphone users in India. With the widespread adoption of technology in such a populous country, the internet has become an integral part of India’s economy, driving digital payments, e-commerce and even investments in artificial intelligence. In addition to this, 4G has made its way into the country and 5G is gradually expanding to larger parts of the South Asian nation.

While these major advancements in technology are impressive, they aren’t just beneficial to larger, more populated areas of India, such as cities; the usage of modern technology also impacts rural India.

Agriculture’s Role in India’s Economy

A small portion of India’s gross domestic product (GDP) comes from agriculture, at just 18%. However, 44% of the country’s workforce consists of employees in agriculture, despite the decline in the overall percentage of agricultural employment in India since the ’90s. With such a dense portion of the population relying on agricultural jobs, the implementation of ever-evolving technology impacts these jobs.

Technology in agriculture affects multiple aspects of the field. The impacts of technology and agriculture apply to, but are not limited to, aspects such as pesticides and seed technology. In 2017, with the help of the Gram Uttan Project, Raju Kumar Chaudhry, a farmer from Bihar, was able to purchase a subsidized potato planter, which enabled him to reduce labor costs while increasing his crop yield, resulting in savings of around $40 per acre.

Technological Innovations in Indian Agriculture

With the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday technology, it is perhaps unsurprising that it has also been applied to the agricultural sector. The SM Sehgal Foundation reports that AI supports farmers by simplifying their decision-making processes. For example, AI-driven climate predictions enable farmers to make informed decisions about their crops, while AI-powered data collection facilitates precision farming practices.

In addition to AI, other technological advancements have supported India’s agriculture. Capacity-building programs allow small farmers to access modern equipment without worrying about affordability. IoT technologies, including drones, satellites and remote sensors, help farmers make informed decisions around the clock, keeping them updated on current weather patterns in their area. Livestock monitoring, using chips and body sensors to track animals’ vitals, helps prevent the spread of infections.

This is particularly important for farmers with large herds, where an outbreak could have devastating consequences.

What’s To Come?

While technological advances aren’t uncommon in India, the country is struggling to roll out the use of AI, especially in the agricultural sector. This is partly due to issues with marginalized farming and fragmented land ownership. However, the SM Sehgal Foundation continues to partner with both organizations and India’s farmers in an attempt to make technology more accessible to India’s agricultural sector, aiming to create a comprehensive food-secure future in India.

– Megan Akers

Megan is based in Fredericktown, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Water Scarcity, Inadequate Sanitation and Food Insecurity in Chad

Food Insecurity in ChadChad has been experiencing severe food insecurity and water scarcity, combined with insufficient sanitation services, for several years now. The main contributors to these disasters have been flooding, drought, conflict and inadequate infrastructure. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), Chad is now facing its sixth consecutive year of crisis-level hunger.

These crises have been worsened by the influx of refugees entering the country from Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, Cameroon and other neighboring states. According to UNHCR data, more than 1.45 million refugees currently reside in Chad. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 90% of these refugees are women and children.

There are also nearly 226,000 internally displaced Chadians. In addition, children account for 57% of Chad’s total population, according to UNICEF.

Food Insecurity in Chad

Chad is currently the sixth most food-insecure country in the world. The WFP reports there are currently more than 3.4 million Chadians facing extreme hunger, a 240% increase since 2020. UNICEF has stated that there are more than 2 million Chadian children in need of treatment for severe wasting, which is the most life-threatening stage of malnutrition.

Additionally, according to the Global Nutrition Report, 31.1% of children in Chad under the age of 5 are stunted. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that in Chad, “the 2024/25 agricultural season is marked by the destruction of 819,370 hectares of sown land, primarily due to floods, plant pests and straying livestock. Conflict has also disrupted agriculture, adding to food insecurity in Chad.

The International Crisis Group has reported that between 2021 and 2024, farmer-herder conflict claimed the lives of more than 1,000 Chadians and left more than 2,000 injured. According to FEWS NET, agropastoral clashes have led to significant loss of life: “Since May 2025, 42 people were killed in Logone Occidental, 16 in Ouaddaï, 17 in Mayo Kebbi Ouest and six in Salamat due to these conflicts.” FEWS NET also reported that as of late June, only 11.8% of people earmarked for Chad’s 2025 humanitarian assistance plan had received food aid.

Humanitarian Aid

The WFP reported that between June and August 2024, it had disbursed food, cash and nutritional support to up to 1 million people and provided aid to an additional 400,000 people who had been impacted by flooding. Furthermore, it aims to assist 1 million breastfeeding and pregnant women, along with children aged 6-59 months, with treatment for malnutrition.

According to the FAO, in 2024, the United Nations (U.N.) provided 58.7 tonnes of crops and 3.5 tonnes of vegetable seed to more than 22,800 households in Chad. As a result, 42,660 tonnes of staple foods and 14,400 tonnes of fruits and vegetables were cultivated. Thirty percent was consumed and the remainder was sold for more than $5 million, distributed in average payments of $280 per household, which was sufficient to supply food for up to six months.

Additionally, in early 2025, the European Commission announced that it had allocated €74.5 million (approximately $83.9 million) to Chad for humanitarian assistance. According to UNICEF, in April, the organization appealed for $114.2 million in aid for Chad, with more than $50 million allocated for nutritional support and more than $24 million dedicated to WASH services. However, only 34% of the required funding has been secured.

Water Scarcity and Sanitation

According to the Interactive Country Fiches (ICF), “Chad has the third-lowest level of access to safe water and the lowest level of access to adequate sanitation in all of Africa.” Only 52% of Chad’s population has basic access to drinking water. However, Gannet’s Data Friendly Space (DFS) has reported that only 18% have access to safely managed sources and merely 10% of Chadians have access to basic sanitation.

Doctors Without Borders (DWB) reports, “In refugee camps across the Ouaddaï, Wadi Fira and Ennedi Est provinces, most refugees are receiving far less than the recommended 20 liters (nearly 5 gallons) of clean water per day. This shortage disproportionately affects women and children.” According to UNICEF, Chad’s mortality rate for children under the age of 5 is approximately one in 10. Gannet’s DFS reports that malaria is the leading cause of these deaths, while noting that insufficient sanitation, stagnant water and overcrowded camps further increase the risk of transmission.

Additionally, according to UNICEF, 68% of the population practices open defecation. This stems in part from the lack of latrines in refugee camps; DWB reports that many camps fail to meet the minimum standard of one latrine for every 50 people. With such a high rate of flooding, open defecation and inadequate water management, waterborne disease has wreaked havoc, leading to outbreaks of hepatitis E, cholera and typhoid. According to the WHO, between January and April 2024, there were 2,092 suspected cases of hepatitis E.

Cholera Outbreak

Regarding the recent cholera outbreak, the chief of WASH in Chad, Oumar Doumbouya, stated: “As of 20 October, we have 2,770 cases of cholera and 156 deaths, including 69 in communities. The disease remains active in three provinces: Ouaddaï, Sila and Guéra.” In 2024, the International Water Association reported that more than 78% of the population in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, obtained water from hand pumps.

Doumbouya noted that UNICEF is working to improve water sources across the country. “Just to give you a figure, we have been recently working on trying to upgrade water points in Chad to put this from a simple hand pump to a solar motorized water supply system and basically, we were able to identify more than 5,000 water points that needed to be upgraded.”

UNICEF has reported that in February 2024, it facilitated funding for the installation of two water treatment units in Baga Sola and Bol, which, combined, provide 20 liters of water per person to 4,000 people each day. DWB has also made significant contributions to improving conditions in refugee camps. According to the organization, “In the last two years, MSF [DWB] treated 43,908 patients for acute malnutrition and responded to hepatitis E and typhoid outbreaks in Adré, Aboutengue and Metché.”

In the Adré transit camp alone, water systems built by DWB produced 654,000 liters of water per day in May. The organization also restored 229 latrines, constructed 80 long-term latrines and cleaned 539 existing ones in Adré.

Final Remarks

The battle against food insecurity, water scarcity and poor sanitation in Chad is far from over. However, with the help of international organizations, the nation is making progress every day.

– Owen Armentrout

Owen is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Breaking the Cycle: Ending Child Marriage in Costa Rica

Child Marriage in Costa RicaUntil recently, Costa Rica had one of the highest child marriage rates in Latin America, affecting more than 359,000 girls nationwide. About one in six young women married before turning 18. Poverty, social inequality and cultural norms that limited girls’ autonomy often drove these early unions. In the past few years, child marriage in Costa Rica has made remarkable progress. Through legal reforms, education initiatives and social programs, the country steadily moves toward eradicating child marriage altogether.

Poverty and the Roots of Child Marriage

Understanding why child marriage in Costa Rica persisted for so long requires examining the social and economic forces behind it. Poverty and gender inequality long shaped these early unions. While Costa Rica remains one of the least poor countries in Latin America, poverty rates fluctuated in recent years with national poverty rising from 20% in 2017 to 21.1% in 2018, pushing more than 23,000 households into poverty and more than 12,000 into extreme poverty. In rural and less-affluent parts of Costa Rica, families more often marry off girls at a young age – a pattern that aligns with broader regional trends.

Families withdrew many girls from school: around 70% of married girls aged 15–17 left education entirely, according to UNICEF. These girls often had little say in household decisions, and some believed that wife-beating was justified. Early marriage not only robbed girls of their childhoods but also entrenched cycles of poverty for future generations.

In some Indigenous communities, families consider girls eligible for marriage once they reach puberty. The award-winning film “Defenders of Life” tells the story of Esmeralda, a fictional Ngäbe girl representing this reality. By casting real community members and sparking national debate, the film shows how cultural norms influence early marriage—and how raising awareness can begin to change them.

Legal Reforms Bring Hope

In 2017, Costa Rica passed a law banning marriage under the age of 18 and closed loopholes that previously allowed minors to wed. The Patronato Nacional de la Infancia, UNICEF Costa Rica and local women’s rights groups championed this reform. Since then, Costa Rica sharply reduced registered child marriages. The new law also increased national awareness of children’s rights and gender equality, encouraging families to prioritize education and delay marriage.

Education and Empowerment

Legislation alone cannot end child marriage in Costa Rica. UNICEF Costa Rica and the Ministry of Public Education launched initiatives to keep girls in school and encourage adolescent girls to study science, mathematics and technology. UNICEF partners with civil society and private-sector organizations to amplify the voices of adolescent girls and young women. These programs empower girls to become leaders and changemakers, giving them the skills and platforms to advocate for initiatives that address key issues affecting children, youth and adolescents. By strengthening girls’ confidence and agency, these efforts tackle the root causes of child marriage and help girls shape their own futures.

Persistent Challenges

Despite significant progress, teenage girls still enter informal unions with older men, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities where poverty and cultural traditions remain strong. This includes communities such as the Ngäbe, where families consider girls eligible for marriage once they reach puberty. Persistent child marriage contributes to high teenage pregnancy rates: 16% of all births occur among girls under 18, rising to 27% in rural areas. Costa Rica must strengthen enforcement of existing laws and expand outreach to isolated communities to eliminate the practice completely.

A Model for the Region

Costa Rica’s efforts over the past few years demonstrate that determined action can drive real change and position the country as a model for the region. By combining legal reforms with initiatives that address the root causes of child marriage in Costa Rica – such as improving access to education and strengthening girls’ advocacy skills – the country is beginning to break persistent cycles of poverty and gender inequality. Continued collaboration between the government, NGOs and international partners will sustain this progress. Since 2015, UNAIDS, UN Women, UNICEF and other organizations have worked in a joint initiative to eliminate child marriage, reinforcing government efforts and laying the foundation for a future in which every girl’s rights and opportunities are fully protected. Costa Rica’s success offers a roadmap for neighboring countries facing similar challenges.

“Child marriage and early unions are a violation of human rights. Full Stop,” said Laura Flores, the Permanent Representative of Panama to the United Nations.

– Iona Gethin

Iona is based in Exeter, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Abidjan Cholera Outbreak: A Preventable Crisis Fueled by Poverty

Abidjan Cholera OutbreakOn the muddy quay of Vridi Akobrakré, a small fishing village just outside Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa, a Red Cross volunteer pours treated water into the hands of a mother. Her children splash barefoot in a stagnant lagoon, unaware that just days earlier, three of their neighbors died from severe diarrhea. At this moment, the Abidjan cholera outbreak is more than a headline. It is a preventable crisis, driven by poverty and poor sanitation.

The Abidjan Cholera Outbreak and Emergency Response

On June 5, 2025, the Pasteur Institute identified Vibrio cholerae in the water. This bacterium causes cholera, a severe diarrheal disease that can be fatal within hours if left untreated. Health authorities immediately confirmed a cholera outbreak in Abidjan — the first in 15 years. The rainy season had just started, with flooding quickly spreading contaminated water. The dense housing of the most impoverished neighborhoods further fueled the outbreak, resulting in 491 confirmed cases and 20 deaths.

The government executed a swift emergency response. Water trucks delivered clean water to affected neighborhoods and temporary treatment centers opened for rapid patient care. Local health teams collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO), which provided support for water treatment, chlorine distribution and hygiene education. NGOs such as UNICEF and the Red Cross established hand-washing stations and trained volunteers to monitor symptoms within the community.

Poverty and Neighborhood Vulnerability

Vridi Akobrakré, where the bacterium was first confirmed and similar informal settlements around Abidjan remain highly vulnerable. Homes are built above lagoons and most have no latrines or sewage systems. Flooding spreads contaminated water through streets, schools and marketplaces.

Poverty compounds the risk. Families cannot afford safe water and crowded homes make it difficult to maintain proper hygiene practices. The repeated vulnerability of these neighborhoods shows that emergency measures alone cannot prevent future outbreaks. Without structural changes, cholera will continue to strike the poorest communities.

NGO Response and Preventative Solutions

NGOs play a crucial role in addressing immediate risks and building resilience. The Red Cross distributes chlorine tablets and treats water points. UNICEF runs hygiene campaigns in schools and markets. Médecins Sans Frontières operates mobile treatment centers and trains rapid response teams. Experts report that ongoing monitoring, broader distribution of hygiene kits and public awareness campaigns are essential to prevent future outbreaks.

Preventing another cholera outbreak in Abidjan also requires long-term investment. Governments must build sewage networks, drainage systems, formal latrines and pipe clean water for low-income neighborhoods. Equitable urban planning and continuous hygiene education help communities adopt safer practices. Subsidized access to safe water, community sanitation programs and strengthened health systems, along with the establishment of surveillance and rapid response teams, are crucial.

Since the cholera outbreak began, hygiene campaigns have reached thousands of schoolchildren, teaching proper handwashing and safe water practices. Early signs suggest these interventions are slowing the spread of cholera. However, experts warn that without continued support and infrastructure improvements, outbreaks will recur.

Turning Crisis Into Change

Back in Vridi Akobrakré, the mother dips her children’s hands into treated water and watches volunteers continue their rounds. For families affected by the Abidjan cholera outbreak, clean water remains fragile. But the crisis has sparked meaningful action. Community volunteers are now trained to monitor symptoms, treat contaminated water and educate their neighbors on proper hygiene.

NGOs continue to distribute chlorine tablets, hygiene kits and set up hand-washing stations in schools and markets. If governments and international partners invest in sanitation, infrastructure and poverty reduction, these efforts can become permanent. Safe water systems, drainage improvements and community-led education programs could protect residents from future outbreaks.

What began as a tragedy is turning into a blueprint for resilience, showing that even the most vulnerable communities can lead the way when crisis meets coordinated action.

– Tina Kusal

Tina is based in Montrose, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Clean-Air Schools in Cairo Offer Hope for Low-Income Children

Clean-Air SchoolsIn Egypt’s crowded capital, children living in low-income neighborhoods face an invisible threat every day: air pollution. According to the World Bank, Cairo ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, with vehicle emissions, industrial pollution and desert dust contributing to hazardous air quality that disproportionately harms vulnerable communities. Children from impoverished districts, where schools sit near congested roadways and factories, face an elevated risk of developing asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that children breathe faster than adults and are more vulnerable to fine particulate matter, which can become trapped in developing lungs.

Pollution and Poverty Reinforce Each Other

Across Cairo, environmental health and economic inequality are closely linked. According to UNICEF, children in low-income communities experience higher exposure to environmental hazards and have less access to quality health care. For many families, chronic respiratory illness creates additional financial hardship, including missed school days, lost wages for parents caring for sick children and recurring medical costs.

The Egyptian Ministry of Health reports that asthma is among the most common chronic illnesses affecting Egyptian children, with higher prevalence in densely populated urban areas.

Clean-Air Schools Take Root

To address this challenge, NGOs and parent-led coalitions have begun implementing “clean-air schools” initiatives in the most polluted districts of Cairo. These programs equip classrooms with portable air purifiers, increase natural ventilation and plant trees and shrubs around school grounds to trap airborne pollutants. Environmental groups, such as Greenish, a Cairo-based nonprofit, partner with schools to “provide workshops focused on environmental awareness.”

According to the American University in Cairo’s Center for Applied Research on the Environment, urban greening has been shown to lower particulate matter levels, improving both air quality and student well-being.

Health and Education Benefits

Cleaner indoor air is more than a health measure; it is a tool for improving educational outcomes. Research cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that air purifiers in schools can reduce respiratory symptoms and absenteeism, two key factors that hinder academic performance in children with asthma. In Cairo’s low-income areas, where asthma-related absences can lead to learning delays and higher dropout rates, clean-air classrooms provide an opportunity to break the cycle of disadvantage.

Government Policies and Future Expansion

National efforts reinforce local programs. Under the National Air Pollution Reduction Plan, Egypt aims to reduce particulate pollution by 50% by 2030, supported by upgrades to public transportation, stricter emissions monitoring and urban greening projects. Egypt’s National Climate Strategy 2050 also includes expanding electric buses and increasing green spaces in urban centers, measures expected to improve air quality in commuting corridors near schools.

A Breath of Relief for Cairo’s Youngest Learners

While systemic improvements will take time, clean-air schools in Cairo are already beginning to reduce asthma symptoms and improve student well-being in participating districts. For families in Cairo’s most impoverished communities, where health and education resources are limited, these small interventions can mean the difference between chronic illness and opportunity. As Egypt invests in cleaner transportation and environmental protection, community-driven school programs ensure that the most vulnerable children benefit today, helping them breathe more easily, learn better and envision a healthier future.

– Katie Williams

Katie is based in England, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Solar-Powered Desalination: Turning Sunlight Into Safe Water

Solar-Powered DesalinationIn coastal regions of East Africa and East Asia, the sea offers abundance, but not in drinking water. As droughts intensify and saltwater seeps into freshwater reserves, millions of people face a daily struggle to find clean water. For many, the ocean itself is both a symbol of hope and hardship.

Solar-powered desalination systems, machines that turn seawater into safe, drinkable water using solar energy, are emerging as a lifeline for communities long left behind by traditional infrastructure. Affordable, sustainable and independent from fossil fuels, these technologies are redefining what survival looks like in a changing climate.

When the Ocean Becomes a Barrier

According to the U.N., more than 2 billion people worldwide live in areas under high water stress. In regions like coastal Kenya, Indonesia and the Philippines, climate instability is pushing freshwater scarcity to new extremes. Prolonged droughts have dried up rivers and wells, while rising sea levels contaminate groundwater with salt.

In some villages in Kenya’s Lamu County, women walk up to 10 kilometers daily to collect brackish water, risking illness and exhaustion. In Bangladesh’s coastal belt, more than 20 million people live in areas where water is too saline to drink. The combination of poverty, geography and environmental collapse has made clean water a privilege, not a right.

For decades, desalination was viewed as a solution only accessible to wealthy nations like Saudi Arabia and Singapore because it is costly, energy-intensive and highly complex. However, solar-powered innovations are changing that equation.

Turning Sunlight Into Water

Solar-powered desalination works by harnessing sunlight to evaporate seawater and condense it into fresh water or by powering reverse-osmosis pumps that filter salt out. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity: it doesn’t require fossil fuels or expensive electrical grids. One of the most successful examples opened up on the coasts of Kiunga, Kenya, where a pilot project led by the GivePower organization now provides more than 75,000 liters of clean water daily. Panels capture sunlight, feeding power to compact desalination units that can run continuously, even during grid outages.

In the Philippines, a local project supported by Nexus for Development and OREEi installed a small-scale solar-powered desalination plant on Malalison Island. It is designed to serve about 200 households with clean drinking water and reduce reliance on plastic-bottled imports. While the exact daily yield wasn’t publicly specified, this model shows how solar desalination is making inroads even in remote coastal fishing communities.

These systems not only supply clean water but also improve public health. In rural Tanzania, a community-based study found that improved drinking-water storage, separation of water sources and waste management practices were significantly associated with a lower risk of diarrhea among children under 5. While the study did not focus exclusively on solar desalination, it highlights the health benefits that can be achieved when safe water access improves in water-stressed rural areas.

The Human Cost of Water Scarcity

Water scarcity does not just affect hydration; it shapes education, health and opportunity. In many rural households, children (especially girls) spend hours each day fetching water instead of attending school. Farmers abandon fields when irrigation fails and hospitals struggle to sanitize equipment. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 500,000 deaths annually are linked to unsafe drinking water.

When desalination becomes local and sustainable, it doesn’t just quench thirst; it restores human potential. Yet, despite these benefits, progress is uneven. Installation costs, though lower than traditional plants, still challenge poor villages. Maintenance requires training and spare parts that rural communities often lack. Some systems fall into disrepair after just a few years, highlighting the need for long-term investment rather than short-term charity.

A New Model for Climate Resilience

International organizations are beginning to take notice. The UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank have all cited solar desalination as a promising tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all.

Zanzibar has deployed solar-powered desalination, most visibly at Mnazi Moja Hospital on Unguja and in the Uzi Island communities, reducing its reliance on diesel power and bottled water. Meanwhile, in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, where saltwater intrusion poses a threat to rice farmers, small-scale solar filters are being adapted to serve both household and agricultural needs.

Still, the global response remains slow compared to the urgency on the ground. Climate finance often flows toward mitigation, reducing emissions, rather than adaptation, which helps people survive its effects. For families who can’t drink, cook or farm, adaptation is survival itself.

What Needs To Change

To make solar desalination accessible and lasting, several steps are crucial:

  • Expand local manufacturing: Building systems domestically lowers costs and creates jobs.
  • Train community operators: Sustainability depends on local ownership and technical knowledge.
  • Integrate with public policy: National water strategies must include renewable desalination, not treat it as a niche solution.
  • Prioritize rural investment: Villages most affected by climate instability must be first in line for clean water innovation.

A Future Powered by the Sun

The sun shines abundantly over the very regions most desperate for water. Harnessing it is not just an environmental choice, it’s an act of justice. Solar-powered desalination offers a glimpse of a future where technology and equity align, where no child misses school to fetch water and where no family drinks from a contaminated well. The ocean may separate nations, but for millions along its shores, it could soon unite them in hope, resilience and the simple right to clean water.

– Marina Martin

Marina is based in Rapid City, SD, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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South-South Cooperation: Shaping a Sustainable Future

South-South CooperationSouth-South cooperation, which offers solutions through solidarity, is key to helping developing countries build collective self-resilience and promote more sustainable and equitable economic growth. In a globalized world, South-South Cooperation tackles the urgent development challenges the Global South faces through cross-country collaboration spanning the economic, social, political, and environmental spheres. Since its establishment, South-South cooperation has flourished over the decades, with trade among the developing countries amounting to $5.3 trillion in 2021.

In fact, trade flows between developing countries have surpassed trade flows between developing and developed economies. While trade between developed countries has decreased by almost 15% since 1995, trade among countries in the Global South has increased by 14.1%. Between 2000 and 2021, the loan portfolios of South-led development banks also rose significantly. It went from $7.2 billion to $73.4 billion, a tenfold increase.

Promoting Clean Energy and Job Creation

India’s demonstration of converting unused cotton plant parts into clean energy and creating employment opportunities for participants from African countries is a notable example of South-South cooperation.

As India strode towards clean energy, entrepreneurs began utilising the unwanted parts of crops for renewable energy. Instead of setting the waste on fire, a practice that has led to pollution, India has set up more than 500 briquetting plants. Briquetting is a process of converting unused plant parts into clean fuel by forming pellets or briquettes as a substitute for coal and wood.

UNCTAD report highlighted the untapped potential of briquetting in Zambia, where farmers could earn an additional $3 million each year by processing cotton waste into briquettes. Not just Zambia, but cotton farmers globally could greatly benefit from the production of this renewable energy.

Therefore, in 2019, UNCTAD offered officials from Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe the opportunity to visit India and develop a better understanding of the technology. UNCTAD chose India because its cotton production resembles that of these countries, making the technology and equipment adaptable.

South-South Cooperation and the Pandemic

Over the past few years, the converging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising global food and energy insecurity, and the climate crisis have had a profound impact on the world. For countries in the Global South that were already vulnerable, the high inflation and slowed economic growth in the post-pandemic period, along with droughts, fires, and floods that the climate emergency has brought about, have made things considerably more difficult. In Southeast Asia, the pandemic pushed 4.7 million people into extreme poverty. It undermined the region’s economic and development progress, leading to millions losing their job during the pandemic’s peak.

While there has been a strong recovery, with a 4.6% increase in GDP growth in 2024, millions still face job insecurity and unemployment. As developing countries grapple with these changes, South-South cooperation fosters more sustainable economic growth by driving collective self-resilience.

Promoting Decent Work

The ILO ProSSCE-ASEAN is a project actively working to counteract the post-COVID economic backsliding in the Global South and to achieve decent work for all, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the Promoting the Global Development Initiative with a focus on South-South cooperation in Employment in ASEAN project in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China. In Cambodia, the project has partnered with the government and local organisations to connect close to 150,000 young people and marginalised groups to high-quality jobs since 2023.

In Indonesia, the project launched a four-tiered training program to improve job matching by training more than 3,000 public employment counsellors across the country and implementing labour market programmes that are inclusive and gender-responsive. Following the success of the programme in Indonesia, the ILO is set to expand the four-tiered training to other countries in Southeast Asia.

Strengthening South-South Health Cooperation

The pandemic disproportionately affected women and children, particularly in the developing world. It led to a reversal of progress in maternal health, which is a key indicator of health.

In response to this, the World Health Organization (WHO) partnered with the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC) to foster South-South health cooperation between the regions. The initiative brought together countries from Africa and the Caribbean to exchange innovative primary health care solutions, with a focus on maternal and child health.

As the world continues to navigate crises, South-South Cooperation provides a strong framework that encourages solidarity, knowledge sharing, and mutual support among developing countries. Its initiatives aim to foster development based on fairness and resilience, creating an inclusive and sustainable world.

– Priya Doshi

Priya is based in Edinburgh, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Italy’s Fight Against Global Poverty

Italy's Fight Against Global PovertyItaly is often overlooked as a key country in efforts to reduce global poverty. However, its approach to poverty reduction is quietly strategic, focusing on development funding, grassroots food programs and humanitarian relief. This allows Italy to be projected as a key contributor in the fight against poverty.

Food Security

As home to the U.N. agencies dedicated to global food security, Rome serves as a strategic hub for Italy’s fight against poverty and hunger. The city hosts three key institutions: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Italy’s long-standing partnership with these agencies has enabled it to remain a consistent donor. Italy has contributed significantly to the FAO trust fund and an additional $703 million to IFAD. These contributions have supported more than 220 initiatives worldwide, including agricultural development programs, crisis-response efforts and projects that promote gender equality in rural communities.

Humanitarian Relief

Italy’s fight against poverty has begun to expand, with the nation supporting agencies like the WFP’s emergency operations overseas. This has been particularly evident in places like Sudan, where the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has contributed more than $7 million. This donation can impact nearly 200,000 lives, significantly reducing malnutrition among young children and pregnant women.

However, Italy does not stop there; its determination to aid Niger’s increasing instability is irrefutable. Italian aid has focused on stabilizing communities affected by political unrest. For instance, the Initiatives for Enterprise Development (IDEE) Project takes pride in promoting youth entrepreneurship, providing support to vulnerable groups and offering economic alternatives to migration.

Additionally, Italy plays a key role in supporting refugees. It funds integration programs, provides legal aid and offers shelter for asylum seekers. Italy has contributed more than $50 million to the U.N. Refugee Agency, supporting labor mobility schemes that help migrants escape poverty.

Italy’s Fight Against Global Poverty

Leveraging agencies such as AICS, Italy’s anti-poverty efforts support projects across Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, with a focus on education, gender equality and employment opportunities. Italy’s roughly $4.9 billion commitment to the Italian Climate Fund has already financed eight projects worldwide, with an additional 22 under review. These initiatives aim to advance sustainable development and strengthen Italy’s global partnerships.

With Africa as a central focus, Italy’s government has begun to launch initiatives to strengthen economic partnerships, aiming to address structural drivers of poverty. For instance, in 2023, Italy pledged more than $3 billion to support development programs in Africa, with a particular emphasis on education and training, health and energy.

Italy’s strategy for global poverty reduction relies on sustained, multi-layered engagement. By consistently investing in international aid, tackling food insecurity and placing humanitarian response at the core of its efforts, Italy demonstrates that impact is not defined by a nation’s size but by its commitment and compassion.

– Megan Burrows

Megan is based in Birmingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Success Story: Ending Extreme Poverty in Cabo Verde

Poverty in Cabo VerdeCabo Verde, a small island nation located approximately 300 miles off the west coast of Africa, is on the verge of eradicating extreme poverty.

Poverty in Cabo Verde

The country of more than 520,000 people struggled economically for years after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, but is now prospering. Between 2015 and 2022, the percentage of the population living in extreme poverty declined by more than 50%. Although Cabo Verde’s success story has not come without challenges, such as an economic setback during the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation continues to make steady progress toward its goal of ending extreme poverty by 2026.

The Strategies Behind Cabo Verde’s Success

Several factors have contributed to Cabo Verde’s progress. The initiatives below highlight how government and nongovernmental organizations have played key roles in helping the nation combat extreme poverty.

  • National Strategy for the Eradication of Extreme Poverty (ENEPE) 2022–2026. Launched in response to the economic downturn caused by the 2020 pandemic, this initiative focuses on reducing inequality through investments in infrastructure, education and direct support for vulnerable populations.
  • Transport Sector Reform Project. This project focuses on rehabilitating roads across the country, connecting once-isolated communities in Cabo Verde. Improved infrastructure has made it easier for people to access health care and education while ensuring safer transport of goods nationwide.
  • Access to Finance for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Project. This initiative has been especially valuable following the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic slowdown. It provides financial support to small and medium-sized businesses, helping them recover and expand.
  • Education and Skills Development Enhancement Project. This initiative has awarded scholarships and grants to about 2,000 young people aged 18 to 30 across Cabo Verde, helping to expand opportunities and reduce youth unemployment.

A Model for Africa and Beyond

Cabo Verde’s journey shows that even small nations can achieve significant progress when policies prioritize people, education and equal opportunity. While challenges remain, the nation’s success demonstrates that extreme poverty can be overcome through inclusive growth, strategic investments and strong partnerships. As Cabo Verde continues to build on its achievements, it stands as a beacon of hope for its citizens and for nations across Africa and the world striving for a brighter, more equitable future.

– Fernanda Nilson

Fernanda is based in North Charleston, SC, US and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How are the USAID cuts impacting Afghan girls and women?

Afghan girls and womenThe dissolution of the USAID was a devastating blow to global humanitarian efforts. It hit Afghanistan particularly hard, where the funding supported vital programs, including education and health. It made the consequences even harsher for Afghan girls and women, for whom the suspended funding only exacerbated their vulnerability.

USAID

An independent agency of the government, USAID, was the primary organization which, over the decades, delivered tens of billions of dollars in humanitarian assistance. Between 2014 and 2023, USAID’s top sectors of assistance were Health, at $80.7 billion, and Humanitarian Assistance, at $65.1 billion.

Since its establishment, USAID has helped save millions of lives through diverse programs. This includes war relief in Ukraine, improving maternal and child health, running HIV prevention programs that saved the lives of more than 25 million, and providing support during the humanitarian crisis in Congo.

In March 2025, the Trump administration announced that it would eliminate 83% of USAID programs. Of the 6,200 global programs, close to 5,200 were cancelled, while the remaining would be taken over by the State Department.

Helping Afghanistan

The United States of America, through USAID, has been the largest donor of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since 2013. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in 2024 alone, the U.S. funded more than $700 million in humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, which accounted for 45.6% of the country’s total aid. With the aid Afghanistan received that year, more than 20 million people received assistance and support, with women making up 29%.

In 2025, the U.S. suspended $562 million in remaining aid to Afghanistan. This impacted programs that supported education, healthcare, and famine preparedness. It severely affected women, as the government had already curtailed their freedoms.

Education

Soon after the Taliban took control of the government in Afghanistan, it suspended education for girls and women beyond primary school, making Afghanistan the only country in the world to restrict female secondary and higher education. It banned more than 2 million girls and women from receiving education. According to UNESCO, by 2066, this could result in estimated losses of almost $10 billion, a figure amounting to two-thirds of the country’s present GDP. This could risk driving more people into poverty.

USAID cuts have disrupted funding that attempted to tackle the inaccessibility to education through online and underground programs for Afghan girls and women. The cuts also led to the termination of scholarships of more than 80 girls from Afghanistan who were studying in Oman. Despite a reprieve, their future remained uncertain, filling them with dread.

Health

Following the cuts, out of 900 UNFPA-supported clinics in Afghanistan, it may no longer be possible to support 500 of them.

Every two hours, a woman in Afghanistan dies from pregnancy, childbirth or related complications, most of which are preventable with skilled healthcare. The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally, and the funding would have been used to run these clinics, provide psychosocial support, family health services and mobile care. The cuts will therefore impact 6.9 million women and children in Afghanistan.

Food Insecurity

The funding cuts have also eliminated food aid, affecting famine-prevention programs and leaving millions without support. While the United States resumed global food aid, it did not do so in two countries, including Afghanistan. The women and children there, who already bear the brunt of the hunger crisis, face an added risk of malnutrition, illness and death. While women-headed households are already facing difficulties, two-thirds cannot meet the cost of basic food needs, a statistic 20% higher than that for male-headed households. In response, women have been forced to resort to dangerous strategies to survive, some of which include seeking cash handouts or arranging marriages for their young daughters.

Looking ahead

While USAID cuts have been a devastating blow to women’s socioeconomic conditions in Afghanistan, other initiatives continue to work to support and empower Afghan women and girls.

U.N. Women Afghanistan and the Government of Japan have launched a notable initiative to strengthen women’s leadership and resilience in Afghanistan. It aimed to reach over 25,000 people by directly supporting 3,700 women. The program equips women with resources and opportunities to not only improve their own livelihoods but also to build a sustainable future for their communities. Running for one year, it would increase women’s access to finance and technology.

UNDP also continues to provide a lifeline for 8 million women, with its core funding exhibiting long-term results. A $4 million seed investment in 2024 enabled more than $34 million in additional funding to support nearly 80,000 female-led micro and small businesses, create almost 400,000 jobs, and positively impact over 2.7 million people. Some of the initiatives taken include developing women’s digital skills, providing solar power, implementing microcredit programs, and enhancing their financial literacy, among others. Through these efforts, the UNDP has fostered women’s entrepreneurship in Afghanistan, helping women achieve economic independence.

– Priya Doshi

Priya is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr