Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
Featured Stories
SBA Relief Still Available to Nebraska Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to Nebraska Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Nebraska of the deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought.
The disaster declarations cover the counties listed below:
Declaration
Number
Primary
Counties
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
* * *
SBA Relief Still Available to Nebraska Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought
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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Nebraska of the deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by drought.
The disaster declarations cover the counties listed below:
Declaration
Number
Primary
Counties
Neighboring
Counties
Incident
Type
Incident
Date
Deadline
NE 21145
Cheyenne, Custer, Garden, Garfield, Greeley, Loup, Morrill, Sherman and Valley
Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boone, Box Butte, Brown, Buffalo, Dawson, Deuel, Grant, Holt, Howard,
Keith, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Nance, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Wheeler in Nebraska; Logan and Sedgwick in Colorado
Drought Beginning May 13, 2025, and continuing 2/2/2026
NE 21151
Blaine, Brown, Dawson, Deuel, Hooker, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, McPherson, Platte, Rock and Thomas
Arthur, Banner, Boone, Boyd, Buffalo, Butler, Cherry, Cheyenne, Colfax, Custer, Frontier,
Garden, Gosper, Grant, Hayes, Holt, Keith, Keya Paha, Loup, Madison, Merrick, Nance, Perkins,
Phelps, Polk and Stanton in Nebraska; Logan, Sedgwick and Weld in Colorado; Laramie in Wyoming
Drought Beginning April 1, 2025, and continuing 2/2/2026
Under this declaration, SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith based organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
"Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. "We're pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters."
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than Feb. 2, 2026. However, after the deadline has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/12/31/sba-relief-still-available-nebraska-small-businesses-private-nonprofits-affected-drought
EPA Announces Intent to Regulate Dozens of Uses of Five Phthalate Chemicals to Protect Workers and Environment
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces Intent to Regulate Dozens of Uses of Five Phthalate Chemicals to Protect Workers and Environment
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Agency's comprehensive risk evaluations find unreasonable risks requiring regulatory action
WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it will move to regulate dozens of applications of five widely used phthalate chemicals to address environmental and workplace risks. This decision is based on final risk evaluations, released today, for each of these
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA Announces Intent to Regulate Dozens of Uses of Five Phthalate Chemicals to Protect Workers and Environment
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Agency's comprehensive risk evaluations find unreasonable risks requiring regulatory action
WASHINGTON - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it will move to regulate dozens of applications of five widely used phthalate chemicals to address environmental and workplace risks. This decision is based on final risk evaluations, released today, for each of thesechemicals: Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Dicyclohexyl Phthalate (DCHP), Diethylhexyl Phthalate (DEHP), and Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP), commonly used to make plastics more flexible in everything from building materials to industrial applications. EPA used gold standard science and tapped independent peer reviewers to reach its conclusions that all five chemicals it reviewed pose unreasonable risks to workers and to the environment. EPA's regulatory focus will target the specific uses that harm workers or threaten the environment.
"Our gold standard science delivered clear answers that these phthalates pose unreasonable risk to workers in specific industrial settings and to the environment," said Administrator Lee Zeldin. " We'll work directly with stakeholders to develop targeted protections that keep workers safe and protect our environment. This is exactly what science-based environmental protection should look like."
Phthalates have the potential to cause human health abnormalities that EPA is seriously concerned with, including hormone deficiencies and endocrine disruption. It's also important to note that gold standard science also shows that these health impacts do not occur at all exposure levels. The key factor in determining risk is whether people are exposed to amounts above levels that could cause health problems. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk evaluation process, EPA focuses specifically on uses regulated under the federal chemical safety law. EPA's TSCA risk evaluation does not analyze exposures from food, food additives, food packaging, medical devices, cosmetics and other consumer products that are under the purview of the Food and Drug Administration or Consumer Product Safety Commission. For the consumer uses that are part of this TSCA risk evaluation, EPA found no products with exposure levels that are causing unreasonable risk to the general population. In pursuit of gold standard science, dermal modeling was enhanced based on peer review feedback and public comment, especially with the replacement of rodent data with actual human data.
The agency's cumulative exposure analysis, which examined exposure to multiple phthalates simultaneously, was based on available data for individuals aged four years and older. While no national-scale biomonitoring data exists for children under four, EPA used conservative modeling approaches to specifically assess toy mouthing behaviors in infants (less than one year), as well as two- and three-year-olds, ensuring that even the most vulnerable young children were included and protected in the evaluation.
EPA will next develop rules to eliminate the identified unreasonable risks to workers and the environment. The agency will conduct extensive consultation with workers, businesses, labor groups, and communities to develop targeted, practical protections that ensure worker safety and environmental protection. Personal protective equipment, engineering controls, and alternative approaches will be carefully evaluated to create effective, implementable solutions that protect those most at risk.
* BBP : Unreasonable risk to workers (2 conditions of use); environmental risks (7 conditions of use)
* DBP : Unreasonable risk to workers (5 conditions of use); environmental risks (1 condition of use)
* DCHP : Unreasonable risk to workers (2 conditions of use);
* DEHP : Unreasonable risk to workers (10 conditions of use); environmental risks (20 conditions of use)
* DIBP : Unreasonable risk to workers (4 conditions of use); environmental risks (7 conditions of use)
When EPA determines whether a chemical poses unreasonable risk, the agency must consider several key factors:
* Health impacts : How the actual, real-world level of chemical exposure is affecting people's health, including cancer risks and other negative health impacts, based on how the chemical is being used
* Environmental impacts : How the chemical is affecting the environment and how much exposure is occurring in real-world conditions
* Who gets exposed : Which groups of people are being exposed to the chemical above levels that cause health impacts, paying special attention to vulnerable populations (like children, pregnant women, or people with existing health conditions)
* How dangerous the chemical is : The severity and type of harm it can cause
* What we don't know : Any gaps or uncertainties in the scientific data
EPA considers all of these factors together when determining a chemical's risks.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-intent-regulate-dozens-uses-five-phthalate-chemicals-protect-workers-and
SBA Approves More Than $5 Million in Disaster Assistance for Arizona Survivors
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Approves More Than $5 Million in Disaster Assistance for Arizona Survivors
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WASHINGTON The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $5 million in federal disaster loans to support the state of Arizona and tribal nations. To date, the SBA has provided $3,322,900 to businesses and $2,037,200 to residents in the wake of severe flooding in Gila County occurring Sept. 25-27, 2025.
"Surpassing $5 million in disaster loans reflects more than
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
* * *
SBA Approves More Than $5 Million in Disaster Assistance for Arizona Survivors
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WASHINGTON The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $5 million in federal disaster loans to support the state of Arizona and tribal nations. To date, the SBA has provided $3,322,900 to businesses and $2,037,200 to residents in the wake of severe flooding in Gila County occurring Sept. 25-27, 2025.
"Surpassing $5 million in disaster loans reflects more thanjust numbers it represents small businesses reopening, families returning home and communities rebuilding more effectively," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator for the SBA's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. "These loans provide vital support for recovery, and we encourage anyone still in need to apply before the deadline."
SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is still available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit (PNP) organizations of any size including faith based organizations for capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLs are available regardless of whether the organization suffered any physical property damage and may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Although the deadline for physical damage disaster loans has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications until Feb. 7, 2026. The deadline to return economic injury applications is no later than July 10, 2026.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/12/30/sba-approves-more-5-million-disaster-assistance-arizona-survivors
ICYMI: Administrator Zeldin in The Hill: EPA Highlights How Reducing Food Waste Matters for All Americans
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Administrator Zeldin in The Hill: EPA Highlights How Reducing Food Waste Matters for All Americans
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WASHINGTON - On Christmas Eve, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin published an op-ed in The Hill Exit EPA's website highlighting the agency's role in helping to curb food waste across the country during this holiday season and beyond. With nearly one-third of all food in the United States being discarded every year, EPA has launched the Feed It Onward initiative
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Administrator Zeldin in The Hill: EPA Highlights How Reducing Food Waste Matters for All Americans
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WASHINGTON - On Christmas Eve, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin published an op-ed in The Hill Exit EPA's website highlighting the agency's role in helping to curb food waste across the country during this holiday season and beyond. With nearly one-third of all food in the United States being discarded every year, EPA has launched the Feed It Onward initiativeto connect surplus food with people and organizations that make use of it and reduce its chances of being discarded in landfills. EPA's efforts in redirecting food waste increases access to healthy meals for families, allows farmers and businesses to find new value in products, and allows communities to strengthen the systems that help keep America fed.
Read what Administrator Zeldin had to say :
"As Americans gather throughout the holiday season, we are surrounded by the traditions that bring families and communities together. Across the country, tables are full, neighborhoods are active, and people are taking time to connect with those who matter most. This season of sharing also reminds us of a simple truth: Good, nutritious food should be consumed, not wasted.
"More than one-third of all food in the U.S. is discarded each year. We can do better, and we are doing better. When surplus food is reduced, redirected, or repurposed, families gain access to healthy meals, farmers and businesses find new value in products that might otherwise go unused, and communities strengthen the systems that help keep America fed. Leaning into food waste reduction is a common sense, critical effort that will help make America healthy again.
"Throughout my travels to all fifty states this year, I have seen how local leadership is driving this progress. Communities are finding practical ways to make better use of the food moving throughout their supply chains. When people coordinate, share ideas, and build on each other's strengths, families thrive, businesses benefit, and the entire system becomes stronger.
"The vision behind the EPA's Feed It Onward initiative is straightforward: to share the stories of individuals and organizations across the nation who are addressing food waste. The initiative aims to connect surplus food with people and organizations that can make use of it. Good food should not be discarded in landfills when it can serve a meaningful purpose.
"Kansas City offers a compelling example of what is possible, which I witnessed firsthand when I visited Kanbe's Markets there and met with the team from Pete's Garden and KC Can Compost. I left encouraged by how local leaders are building real, community-driven solutions that work.
"Kanbe's has created a model that moves good-to-eat produce into neighborhood stores that traditional distribution often overlooks. Their work strengthens small retailers, fills access gaps, and ensures that families can purchase fresh fruits and vegetables that might otherwise be thrown away.
"Pete's Garden repackages surplus meals from restaurants and caterers into take-home dinners for families. KC Can Compost broadens composting access for homes and businesses. Together, these groups have diverted millions of pounds of food from landfills feeding families, supporting farmers, and enriching soil. It is a full-circle model and a clear example of what communities can accomplish when they coordinate and share resources.
"This summer, I visited Scott Air Force Base in Southern Illinois for the launch of EPA's first Feed It Onward Partnership. Working with Frey Farms, we redirected produce that would have been thrown away just for being labeled 'imperfect.' Rather than end up in a landfill, truckloads of fresh watermelons, corn, and pumpkins went straight to military families. This is a clear example of the difference that Feed It Onward aims to make.
"Big venues around the country are also working hard to reduce food waste. During my visit to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, I participated in efforts between NASCAR, Denali Water, and Levy to cut food waste at the track.
"I also toured the Kia Center, home to the Orlando Magic, whose arena managers have partnered with Levy to redirect surplus food to local organizations. Even in fast-paced and high-volume environments, effective planning can turn surplus food into valuable resources for the community.
"This issue is gaining global attention. At the G7 Energy and Environment Ministers' Meeting in Toronto, I spoke with counterparts from around the world and the idea struck a chord, as many shared that they want to learn from the U.S. in this regard, to tackle this challenge in their own countries.
"As the U.S. prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games, there's an opportunity to showcase our nation's efforts in reducing food waste. These events will highlight the partnerships driving our country forward.
"The holiday season underscores why this effort matters. Every community wants good food to reach families who can use it. Every farmer, business, and partner wants his or her work to have an impact. EPA's Feed It Onward initiative helps make those connections a reality."
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/icymi-administrator-zeldin-hill-epa-highlights-how-reducing-food-waste-matters-all
Administrator Loeffler Fulfills Pledge, Donates SBA Pay to Charity
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 -- The Small Business Administration posted the following news release:
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Administrator Loeffler Fulfills Pledge, Donates SBA Pay to Charity
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Administrator Kelly Loeffler has fulfilled the pledge Link is external she made upon re-entering public office to donate her annual federal pay once again to philanthropic organizations. The donations made each quarter of 2025 supported numerous nonprofits including disaster relief organizations that responded to the Texas Hill Country floods and the western Alaska
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 -- The Small Business Administration posted the following news release:
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Administrator Loeffler Fulfills Pledge, Donates SBA Pay to Charity
Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Administrator Kelly Loeffler has fulfilled the pledge Link is external she made upon re-entering public office to donate her annual federal pay once again to philanthropic organizations. The donations made each quarter of 2025 supported numerous nonprofits including disaster relief organizations that responded to the Texas Hill Country floods and the western Alaskatyphoon; the West Virginia National Guard Foundation, and groups dedicated to empowering America's youth, such as the Turning Point USA Foundation. The contributions build on Administrator Loeffler's prior public service, when she also donated Link is external her federal pay as a U.S. Senator from Georgia.
"Like President Trump, Administrator Loeffler stepped away from a successful private sector career to serve the country because she is deeply committed to fulfilling the promise of the America First agenda. This commitment is reflected both in her work at the SBA, which had a record year, and her decision to donate her federal salary to charity," said SBA Spokesperson Maggie Clemmons. "Her contributions benefitted an array of organizations, including nonprofits working to support disaster survivors, servicemembers, and America's next generation - and she looks forward to continuing this tradition as she continues the fight for America's future, especially on Main Street."
Administrator Loeffler made donations to the following organizations, by quarter:
First Quarter
* Kids2Leaders
Second Quarter
* Kerry County Flood Relief Fund
* Samaritan's Purse
* Texans on Mission
* TEXSAR
Third Quarter
* Turning Point USA Foundation
Fourth Quarter
* Team Rubicon - Alaska Anchorage
* The American Red Cross of Alaska
* West Virginia National Guard Foundation
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2025/12/29/administrator-loeffler-fulfills-pledge-donates-sba-pay-charity
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Navigating School Journeys: Barriers and Enablers for Children and Caregivers in Nassau, Bahamas'
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in December 2025 entitled "Navigating School Journeys: Barriers and Enablers for Children and Caregivers in Nassau, Bahamas."
Here are excerpts:
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Abstract
This study explores the multiple enablers and barriers to school transportation and their broader social implications in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. We examine the complex interplay between physical, functional, and social factors shaping children's, parents ', and caregivers' daily access to school. A central revelation is the
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in December 2025 entitled "Navigating School Journeys: Barriers and Enablers for Children and Caregivers in Nassau, Bahamas."
Here are excerpts:
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Abstract
This study explores the multiple enablers and barriers to school transportation and their broader social implications in Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. We examine the complex interplay between physical, functional, and social factors shaping children's, parents ', and caregivers' daily access to school. A central revelation is theprofoundly gendered nature of school transportation responsibilities in Nassau, with women constituting 83% of our sample who organize or undertake these daily journeys. Drawing on semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and a survey of 477 caregivers across Nassau, we adopt a mixed-methods approach combining descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and cluster modelling. We identify four distinct groups based on their perceptions of traffic safety, harassment risks, and climate-related barriers, including one cluster for whom flooding and other extreme weather concerns are central drivers of school transportation challenges. Our findings reveal that inadequate infrastructure, minimal enforcement of school zone traffic laws, and the perceived threat of harassment or violence pose significant barriers to children's safe and enjoyable access to education. At the same time, extended family support and targeted school-zone measures emerge as notable enablers, alleviating some of the burdens placed on caregivers. Building on these insights, we offer evidence-based recommendations for policy and practice, underscoring the need for cross-sector collaboration to enhance infrastructure, strengthen traffic law enforcement, and address social vulnerabilities. By highlighting cluster-specific concerns--from gender-based violence to climate impacts--this paper provides a nuanced understanding of how school transportation challenges intersect with gender norms and broader societal issues, offering practical pathways toward more inclusive and resilient mobility systems for children and their caregivers. The paper also outlines future research directions around the consequences of these barriers and enablers for caregivers' time use, labor participation and well-being.
1. Introduction
School transportation in the urban Caribbean presents various challenges that can limit children's access to education and place a particular burden on caregivers, most of whom are women. In Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas, these challenges become more apparent given rising poverty rates, pronounced inequalities, and insufficient transportation infrastructure. Although The Bahamas is classified as a high-income country, recent data indicates that the lowest 40% of the population accounts for only 16% of total consumption, highlighting uneven access to the resources required for reliable mobility, and signaling inequalities in the ability of different households to navigate access to school (The World Bank, 2023).
In Nassau, fragmented public transit services and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure lead to concerns about cost, safety, and the time needed to ensure children arrive at school without incident for families relying on these transportation options. Studies in other Global South contexts show that absent or poorly maintained infrastructure and a lack of traffic safety measures can make children's commutes hazardous, contributing to an over-reliance on motorized transportation (Aranda-Balboa et al., 2020). Private vehicle dependency for school commutes disrupts household schedules, the distribution of caregiving responsibilities, and contributes to congestion across the city, particularly during drop-off and pick-up school peak times. Research has also identified concerns about crime and harassment as significant factors in many caregivers' decisions to avoid walking or using public transportation, which further limits the feasibility of less expensive and active travel options (Montoya-Robledo et al., 2020; Roy et al., 2024).
Despite its relevance for households and the city's mobility, and after checking on specialized academic databases, there has been no prior research on the various determinants of access to school in The Bahamas. Furthermore, there is currently no empirical evidence on the strategies children, and their caregivers use to secure access to school or the consequences they face on individual, household, and community scales. Therefore, as the first study that examines what transportation barriers and enablers children and their caregivers of different income levels and neighborhood characteristics face when traveling to and from school in Nassau, this paper serves to fill an important gap in the research on school transportation.
Understanding how school transportation barriers intersect with gendered caregiving responsibilities is central to this objective. Numerous studies have shown that women bear a disproportionate share of household and caregiving tasks, often involving arranging or accompanying children during daily commutes (Schwanen, 2008; McDonald, 2008). In contexts with limited transportation services, these responsibilities can lead to decreased labor market participation, increased time poverty, and emotional strain (Schwanen et al., 2015).
Societal norms regarding children's independence, along with concerns about road safety or harassment, may further drive protective behaviors, such as insisting on private vehicle use or close supervision (Montoya-Robledo et al., 2020).
These gendered mobility patterns have been observed in various urban areas worldwide but have received little attention in Caribbean islands, beyond occasional mentions of youth safety in high-crime neighborhoods (Roy et al., 2024; Sener et al., 2019). Recent demographic shifts in The Bahamas, including rising unemployment, food insecurity, and changing household sizes (The Government of The Bahamas, 2023; Karpyn et al., 2021), increase the need to examine how caregivers navigate daily journeys to school amidst financial and infrastructural stress. Additionally, climate-related factors further complicate access to schools. Storms and heavy rainfall can disrupt transportation operations and render parts of existing infrastructure unusable, while extreme heat makes it difficult for everybody (but particularly for vulnerable population groups) to travel by non-motorized means. Extreme heat also makes the use of public transit more challenging, disrupting the functional aspect of mobility in cities like Nassau (UNDP, 2025).
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View full text here: https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Navigating-School-Journeys-Barriers-and-Enablers-for-Children-and-Caregivers-in-Nassau-Bahamas.pdf
[Category: IADB]
Inter-American Development Bank: 'Bridging Skills and Employment: A Review of Advanced Digital Skills Training, Online Labor Market Programs, and Innovative Training Methodologies'
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in Decembr 2025 entitled "Bridging Skills and Employment: A Review of Advanced Digital Skills Training, Online Labor Market Programs, and Innovative Training Methodologies."
Here are excerpts:
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1. Introduction
Digital technologies are reshaping labor markets, creating both new demands and possibilities for the design of active labor market policies (programs that support individuals' integration into the labor market). In many countries, a considerable proportion of firms are unable to
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (TNSLrpt) -- The Inter-American Development Bank issued the following white paper in Decembr 2025 entitled "Bridging Skills and Employment: A Review of Advanced Digital Skills Training, Online Labor Market Programs, and Innovative Training Methodologies."
Here are excerpts:
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1. Introduction
Digital technologies are reshaping labor markets, creating both new demands and possibilities for the design of active labor market policies (programs that support individuals' integration into the labor market). In many countries, a considerable proportion of firms are unable tofind workers with the necessary digital skills to fill their job vacancies (e.g., Novella and RosasShady, 2023a; 2023b; Baptista et al., 2023a). This has fueled growing interest in training programs aimed at equipping jobseekers with digital skills, as well as in training modalities that leverage emerging digital tools.1 Yet, evidence on the effectiveness of these programs remains limited, particularly rigorous impact evaluations based on credible estimation strategies. This document reviews the evidence from 26 such evaluations, 15 of which were published in 2024 or later. Despite the limited evidence base, policy recommendations are beginning to emerge regarding program design. These interventions show promise in achieving their intended outcomes, but also reveal important limitations that policymakers should address.
The present paper analyzes three types of interventions: (i) digital skills bootcamps and other advanced digital skills training programs; (ii) programs to improve online labor market outcomes; and (iii) Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other new methodologies of delivering training programs. Before turning to the systematic review of the literature, we first summarize some of the main findings on the effectiveness of these three types of programs: Digital skills bootcamps and other advanced digital skills training programs. Only nine studies have evaluated these programs using robust empirical methods -- a surprisingly small number for an industry that generated over USD $800 million globally in training alone in 2024.
Moreover, the limited evidence that does exist largely focuses on short-term impacts.
Evidence suggests that these programs can support transitions into technology-related jobs and increase earnings in some contexts, particularly when they included direct employer linkages (such as internships), but overall labor market impacts and cost-effectiveness remain unclear. Some studies suggest that null results for overall employment may be due to participants holding out for tech jobs rather than accepting lower-skilled positions for which they are already qualified.
Programs to improve online labor market outcomes. Evaluations of these programs raise important questions about scalability, accessibility, and long-term effectiveness. While some programs -- particularly those delivered online -- offer potential for scale, low completion rates persist as a major challenge. Complementary interventions to boost completion, such as personalized tutoring, have raised costs (e.g., to over USD $700 per person) without generating proportional improvements in completion or impact. Moreover, evidence suggests that while many participants gain initial access to digital platforms, their success is often shortlived without strong technical skills and job-matching support. In-person training appears to be more effective in improving completion rates.
MOOCs and other new methodologies of delivering training programs. Evidence of these programs offers valuable insights for scaling effective training interventions, though it also reveals key limitations. For example, while MOOCs have the potential to distribute content at scale, a significant downside is their low completion rates, often in the single digits -- with males, wealthier individuals, and those with strong non-cognitive skills being more likely to complete them. This pattern of selective completion suggests that while providing free access to MOOCs theoretically offers high-quality training to all, economic constraints -- such as the cost of sustained internet access or the opportunity cost of time -- still likely affect course completion. As a result, MOOCs may primarily benefit those who already have the resources and skills to engage fully. Light-touch interventions, such as reminders, have proven insufficient to improve completion rates. Similarly, emerging evidence on generative AI-based training tools suggests that these technologies can effectively boost productivity, but evidence on who benefits the most is mixed.
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View full text here: https://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/Bridging-Skills-and-Employment-A-Review-of-Advanced-Digital-Skills-Training-Online-Labor-Market-Programs-and-Innovative-Training-Methodologies.pdf
[Category: IADB]
