DAI

We are pausing updates about USAID programs while the incoming U.S. administration conducts its review of foreign assistance. We will continue to bring you news and insights about projects supported by our other partners, including the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the European Union, and corporate clients. We extend our best wishes to everyone affected by recent disruptions in the industry and look forward to getting back to work as soon as possible.

The The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) has selected 18 projects to receive grants worth a total of £13.4 million through its second Research Grant Competition (RGC). The winners were chosen from 507 applicants across 60 eligible countries responding to the theme: “Driving innovation in how biodiversity can support climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods through practice and governance.” GCBC, funded by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with DAI as the Fund Manager Lead and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as the Strategic Science Lead, established the RGC to uncover locally driven solutions to protect biodiversity in ways that will also promote resilient, sustainable livelihoods. From the 500 plus applications, 56 were longlisted and assessed for how effectively the proposed nature-based solution will contribute to:   * Improving the livelihoods of poor people by enhancing their resilience to climate change   * Meeting resource or service demands  * Protecting traditional knowledge and conserving biodiversity For more information: https://buff.ly/4hFAOKV

Excellent new partnership for our DAI Udaya Project the Nepal Bankers' Association (NBA). Find out more about the Udaya Project here: https://lnkd.in/ej5jiJ_J Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Ministry of Finance, Government of Nepal Arun Rana Nilu Basnyat Nathanael B.

Reducing Costs and Emissions with Improved Cookstoves in Nepal For 20 years, Hari Shankar Sah ran his hotel in Birgunj using expensive LPG and charcoal, facing rising fuel costs and smoky working conditions. Five months ago, he switched to a Metallic Improved Cooking Stove (MICS)—a cleaner, cost-effective alternative that runs on pellets. This simple change has cut his fuel expenses by Rs. 30,400 annually, improved kitchen conditions for his staff, and reduced dependence on imported fuel. Through the Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund, set up by the Nepal government and supported by the UK Government through the Nepal Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), more than 30 businesses and 70 households in Nepal have adopted MICS, leading to lower emissions and greater energy independence. For more information about NREP: https://buff.ly/4gsVO6f

The recording of the socialprotection.org Webinar ‘Maintaining & Sustaining Social Protection in Conflict & Fragile Settings’ is now available. Drawing on evidence from recent research by the STAAR Facility and BASIC Research, this webinar explored how conflict affects the design and delivery of social protection, from financing and operational choices to the inclusion of vulnerable groups. Panelists discussed examples from Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Ethiopia, and the Sahel, highlighting strategies for sustaining systems, leveraging local capacities, and ensuring conflict sensitivity. Moderator: Ric Goodman, Director, Social Protection & Resilience at DAI Speakers: Gabrielle Smith - STAAR, Rachel Slater - BASIC Research Watch here: https://buff.ly/4jJOUMR This was the second webinar of the "Social Protection Approaches in Crisis Series", which explores how, why and when to use social protection approaches in contexts of crisis. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Institute of Development Studies #socialprotection #staar #basic #sporg

🔌 Advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Energy Transition. The #EU4Energy project hosted a panel discussion on the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s energy sector, bringing together experts from #government, #academia, and #industry to discuss key challenges, opportunities, and best practices for accelerating the energy transition. The event also highlighted the Centre for Sustainable Energy Transition in Sarajevo and East Sarajevo, which play a crucial role in supporting #energy reforms aligned with #EuropeanUnion priorities. Through technical assistance, capacity building, and policy support, the EU4Energy project helps Bosnia and Herzegovina advance toward a more #sustainable, #secure, and #efficient energy system. Following the panel, a workshop was held to strengthen institutional capacities and develop projects that drive long-term energy sector improvements. #EU I #BosniaAndHerzegovina I #EnergyTransition I #EuropeHouse I Nikos Tsakalidis I Branislava Lepotic I Zoran Bogunovic I Martin Zlatev I Bernat Pallejà Claveria I

Latest Blog: Unlocking the Power of Generative AI for Political Economy Analysis—Findings From a DAI Pilot Project We are in the middle of the generative artificial intelligence (genAI) hype cycle. As soon as ChatGPT 3.5 was released in late 2022, it caught the imagination of the general public—and the international development community. It remains to be seen if genAI will reshape the world as much as some proponents think. In late 2023, DAI embarked on an ambitious pilot project to explore if—and how—genAI can safely enhance the political economy analysis method across two of our donor-funded governance projects, one in Colombia and one in Georgia. Read the blog here: https://buff.ly/42N7BZX Inta Plostins Yulia Vorobyeva, PhD #GenerativeAI #AI #PEA

The private sector isn’t just a driver of growth—it can be a catalyst for change. In Uganda, DAI is demonstrating how companies can profitably engage underserved communities—expanding markets, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating jobs in the process—by integrating Market Systems Development with the Graduation Approach. Find out more in the first blog in the SMILES Learning Series: https://lnkd.in/ev6tFbdB

🆕 New manual unlocks trade opportunities in Mozambique. PROMOVE Comércio-Moz launched a user-friendly manual explaining the tariff dismantling process under the Southern African Development Community (#SADC)-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (#EPA). The guide outlines how goods such as #industrial products and key agricultural #exports benefit from reduced or zero #customs duties, creating new opportunities for trade. This resource is invaluable for #importers and international #businesses looking to leverage the advantages of the EPA and enhance their #competitiveness in regional markets. #EU I #Mozambique I APIEX I #Trade I #Export_Import I #Agri I Ascenção Machel

Trade has the power to lift communities out of poverty, but many countries are held back by weak infrastructure, limited access to markets, or a lack of skills. Aid for Trade helps bridge these gap by empowering businesses, creating jobs, and driving sustainable economic growth. When trade works for everyone, prosperity follows. #Exports #Trade #SustainableGrowth