Abstract Biodiversity conservation is undergoing a process of datafication, driven by calls for evidence‐based conservation and rapid technological advances. These developments promise to enhance conservation efforts, but they also raise ethical questions. While most existing research on conservation data justice focuses on large data sets and novel technologies, this paper explores data justice in community‐led conservation. We build on a conservation data justice framework, which distinguishes five dimensions of conservation data (composition, access, use, control, and consequences), by adding a sixth dimension: data collection. We apply this framework to two community‐led programs in Indonesian Borneo, supported by the Non‐Governmental Organization (NGO) Planet Indonesia. Through semi‐structured interviews with NGO staff and local community members, we examine how data justice is perceived and assessed in conservation practice. Respondents raised a variety of justice concerns. Overall, they viewed data composition and consequences positively, but raised critical concerns about access, use, and control. These findings help illustrate the variety of opportunities and challenges for data to enhance social justice in conservation and reveal the need for practical strategies to address the priorities and tradeoffs identified by ground‐level actors.

Background: Smoking is completely banned in various public places and workplaces by the prevalent law, but it still has not been enforced appropriately in these places. This poses serious health concerns, particularly for children and other vulnerable populations, arising out of the ill-effects of smoking and also the tendency to become victims of smoking. Objectives: This project made an attempt to assess the outcome of episodic drives against smoking (tobacco cessation intervention) in public places executed by different stakeholders empowered by the prevailing laws to reduce the incidence of smoking in public places and also identified the factors associated with smoking and smoking cessation. Material and Methods: It was a quasi-experimental study carried out over a period of 1 year in the urban and rural population of District Una, Himachal Pradesh. A total of 620 smokers (308 in urban and 312 in rural) were enrolled in the study, and a baseline and end-line survey using pre-tested, standardized, and semi-quantitative questionnaires were administered by the trained staff during house-to-house visits made for the identification of smokers, wherein the information on desired variables was collected. Special anti-smoking awareness and implementation drives involving the use of banners and audio messages were conducted, initially on monthly basis for 6 months followed by bimonthly programs during the next 6 months by various agencies such as scouts and guides; National Cadet Corps; Civil Defense; Panchayat members and Non-government Organizations along with one representative from among the project staff. Results: The majority of the participants in both the groups (rural and urban) belonged to the age group of 30– 45 years. The rural smokers were found to initiate smoking at a younger age as compared to urban ones. Before the start of the intervention, around half of both urban and rural smokers never considered quitting as an option. It was observed that the knowledge and attitude toward quitting smoking improved after these drives were conducted, which was better among urban participants. Smoking cessation was observed among 14.5% of smokers, with 83.3% of these in urban areas. The higher reduction observed in urban subjects could be attributed to higher literacy levels. Conclusion: Integration of such anti-smoking/tobacco control activities with developmental programs such as poverty alleviation, rural development schemes, women and child development, and tribal welfare programs can lead to extensive and widespread presence of these activities at the grassroots level.

Many parts of the world are witnessing social mobilizations in response to the unjust and unsustainable trajectories of the global agrifood system. The constellations of mobilizations tend to coalesce around “agroecology” discourses. This term has become increasingly muddled as it is adopted by diverse actors, often having different meanings for different people. However, “movement-based” agroecological discourses usually highlight local smallholder farmers and peasants as the main protagonists. This article examines their recent entry into the lexicon of actors in Lebanon—particularly nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), “neo-rural” farmers, and foreign donors. Through an ethnographic discourse analysis and social mapping of actors, we identify the most visible protagonists furthering this term in Lebanon and the discursive framings they employ, while questioning the term’s connection (or lack thereof) to the broader farmer typology in the country. The findings identify local and global development actors, along with a small group of neo-rural farmers from specific social backgrounds, as the primary actors in the main discursive arenas around agroecology. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the disconnect between agroecology and the realities of marginalized smallholder farmers. We critically examine how NGOs, neo-rural farmers, and foreign donors shape these discourses, revealing that the meaning-making around agroecology in Lebanon is more closely tied to existing global discursive frameworks than to the lived experiences of local rural communities.

The article examines multiple dimensions of vulnerability among informal labourers in India and critically evaluates existing social protection systems. Drawing on fieldwork conducted across five districts in Uttar Pradesh and two in Rajasthan, the study unravels issues such as unstable employment, delayed payments, digital divides and caste–gender hierarchies shaping the lives of this workforce. Initiatives such as MGNREGA, e-SHRAM, Ayushman Bharat and building and other construction workers welfare boards are assessed for their delivery effectiveness. A comparison between Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan highlights the crucial role of civil society organizations in entitlement delivery and enhancing institutional accountability. Based on empirical evidence and supplementary sources, the article argues for abandoning fragmented technocratic approaches in favour of a universal social protection model grounded in a rights-based framework that better responds to local needs. Policy recommendations focus on addressing structural marginalization among informal workers.

ABSTRACT This article uses an original survey experiment to identify factors influencing trust in women’s CSOs, which throughout the post-communist region have attracted substantial support from donors promoting democratization and human rights. The experiment conducted in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czechia, Poland and Russia examines how norms they pursue, funding source, and government rhetoric affect trust in women’s organization. We find that norms affect trust in Bosnia and Herzegovina, donor type affects trust in Russia, and none of the factors affect trust in Poland and Czechia. This variation points to the importance played by political and social contexts of case countries.

ABSTRACT This article explores the knowledge that American scholars acquired about the initial phase of the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) reform and opening up, from the late 1970s until the mid-1980s. It claims that their main feeling about the reform process was uncertainty. As the PRC opened its doors to more interactions with foreigners, several US scholars, and the non-governmental organisations they worked for, felt very uncertain about the success of China’s economic modernisation. They also felt uncertain and dubious about the feasibility of implementing productive cultural exchanges with Chinese universities and higher education centres. This article demonstrates that these scholars based their uncertainty on a set of careful interactions with Chinese policymakers. By insisting on uncertainty, it documents a less rosy and deterministic view of the initial moments of Sino–American encounters and Chinese economic reforms than has often been assumed, showing all the limitations and difficulties that the PRC encountered in reforming its economy. Finally, it brings back power and economic interests as the main drivers of cultural exchanges, showing that these feelings of uncertainty revolved more around practicalities, and less on the desire to bridge cultural differences between Americans and Chinese.

Refugees and asylum seekers (RASs) are among the most marginalised, vulnerable, and economically disadvantaged groups worldwide. As a result, many government and non-government organizations, including migrant-led community organizations (MLCOs), support RASs to improve their lives in their host countries. However, there is a lack of research on the role and challenges of MLCOs supporting RASs. Therefore, informed by the concepts of grassroots humanitarianism and ethnic capital, and based on data collected through focus group discussions, this article explores the rationale, activities, and challenges of Eritrean MLCOs in England. The findings indicate that MLCOs help fill some gaps left by government agencies by providing RASs with strong advocacy and support systems to protect their rights and meet their needs. Although volunteers with limited funding run these organizations, they utilise ethnic capital to provide knowledge, raise awareness, and deliver culturally sensitive services to RASs in their own language. This article advances understanding of MLCOs’ work and improves their services to better meet the needs of RASs. It also contributes to knowledge by highlighting MLCOs’ role as sites of learning and education.

Abstract Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the United States and globally are at a historic juncture. The available data on trust and confidence in NGOs internationally suggests that NGOs suffer from trust and reputation deficits, implying that concerns about NGO effectiveness and accountability may not be adequately addressed through existing systems of oversight and regulation. Compounding this challenge, NGOs in many countries face a backlash in which governments restrict, reduce, or eliminate funding sources for NGOs and curtail freedoms with implicit and explicit threats. This paper argues that understanding the nature of this inflection point in the United States is enhanced by placing it in the larger context of the global NGO regulatory architecture. The past few decades have seen the proliferation across the globe of a wide variety of institutional arrangements for regulating NGOs, resulting in a complicated patchwork of governmental and nongovernmental regulatory regimes operating across many overlapping jurisdictions. We examine the nongovernmental regulation of NGOs as a response to information deficits that remain under-resolved by governmental regulation. We argue that NGOs require trust and reputational legitimacy to attract public support and funding. But NGOs face real challenges to greater transparency at the same time that government regulation struggles to provide adequate quality assurances for current information disclosures to the satisfaction of all relevant stakeholders. This gap creates a market for information that is often filled by nongovernmental regulation systems. In this article we explore the structure of these private, nongovernmental regulation regimes at the national and transnational levels to derive insights for increasing NGO trustworthiness and legitimacy by bolstering the NGO data ecosystem.

The study explored gender-based violence (GBV) consequences on women economic empowerment within Sierra Leone. Koinadugu District, in particular, has reported many cases of GBV in the decade running between 2010 and 2022, the cases are immense. The aim of this study examined the effects of gender-based violence on the women access to education. This investigation was guided by ecological theory and a descriptive survey design. Using questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews to collect data, the results are based on achieved response of a group of 40 women, 2 chiefs and 2 officers in charge of children protection unit and 3 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) staff. Study findings indicate that there was notable impact of GBV on women’s access to education in Koinadugu District. Cases of school dropout because of teenage pregnancies, early marriage, child labour and giving preference to boys in education were some of the outstanding findings. This study recommends that the empowerment of women will reduce the unequal power relationship between women and men which has been identified as the root cause of GBV.

ABSTRACT Sexualized Substance Use (SSU) refers to the use of substances to intensify sexual experiences, often involving substances such as methamphetamine, mephedrone, or GHB/GBL. Using a multifaceted syndemic approach, this cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of SSU among sex workers in Spain, their motivations, health risks such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), substance related health consequences, and experiences of lifetime violence victimization. It also explored psychosocial factors, including recreational use, perceived sexual satisfaction, and social support, providing a multifaceted view of SSU. A total of 98 sex workers (ages 18–60; 57.1% cisgender women, 30.6% cisgender men, 4.1% transgender women, 1% transgender men, and 6.1% non-binary) were recruited through Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and social media to complete an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression models. Findings showed that 25.5% reported SSU in the last 12 months. Regarding health outcomes, 44.9% had experienced an STI at some point, though 93.9% reported using preventive methods. Main motivations for SSU included escaping reality or coping with emotions such as shame, sadness, anxiety, or emptiness. Furthermore, 86.7% of participants had experienced some form of victimization in their lifetime, particularly LGBTQIA+ women. Regression analyses revealed that sexual satisfaction (β = 0.74) was positively associated with SSU, while perceived social support (β = -0.25) was negatively associated. These results highlight the psychosocial vulnerabilities linked to SSU and underscore the importance of tailored sexual health interventions and harm reduction strategies to support the well-being of sex workers.

The Chief of Staff (CoS) position, in both the public and private sectors, assists the executive team in strategizing, communicating, and making decisions for the organization the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses the model of a CoS within its incident management system (IMS) for public health emergency responses. During those responses, the CoS is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the operational and management functions, and that position is a primary member of the response leadership team. An effective CoS leverages their knowledge of systems and processes, resources, and subject matter expertise from across the organization to solve operational challenges. The position also facilitates connections with other federal response agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and international and domestic partners. Health departments seeking to improve how their organization addresses routine and unexpected challenges during emergency responses could consider adding a CoS role to their IMS.

Organized crime exerts a devastating influence on Brazilian society, affecting public security, the economy and politics. Criminal factions, militias and other structured organizations use violence and corruption to expand their control, generating significant challenges for the state and local communities. The violence resulting from territorial disputes between factions puts the lives of thousands of people at risk, while the infiltration of these organizations in strategic sectors compromises the governance and integrity of democratic institutions. Vulnerable communities, often located in peripheral areas, suffer from constant threats and limited access to essential public services. To address these challenges, it is crucial to strengthen public security institutions, promote cooperation between different levels of government and countries, and implement social policies that address the root causes of crime, such as poverty and inequality. Civil society plays a vital role in responding to organized crime, mobilizing public opinion and pushing for change. Non-governmental organizations, community movements and the media are essential in promoting a culture of legality and valuing human rights. Combating organized crime in Brazil requires an integrated and sustained approach, combining effective public policies, institutional strengthening, international cooperation and civil society engagement to reduce the influence of criminal organizations and build a safer and fairer society.

This study investigated the effect of environmental change on the welfare status of crop farmers in Kaduna State and Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 198 crop farmers. Primary data were used based on a well-structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, farmer household income exchange, Foster, Greer, and Thorbecke (FGT), and the Probit model analysis. The results show that the mean age was 49 years with approximately farm experience of 12 years. The on-farm household income (74.41%) is the dominant source. The largest expenditure is on production cost (46.97%) reflecting the significant investment required for agricultural activities. Furthermore, majority of the farm households (61.90%) have an income greater than their expenditures, this suggests that they have their welfare condition enhanced. Approximately, 43 (79.63%) of the farm households without secondary income fell below the poverty line. About 161 (81.31%) of the farm households with both primary and secondary incomes were below the poverty line. The significant socio-economic factor and environmental change that influence the welfare status of crop farmers include age, number of years spent in school education, total crop output, change in temperature, reduction in the size of water bodies, and heat waves. The study recommended that climate-smart agriculture training, subsidies for drought-resistant maturing crop varieties should be provided by Government and non-government organizations and establish localized community-based early warning systems in collaborating with NiMet (Nigerian Meteorological Agency) to provide farmers with real-time planting and harvesting schedules.

The article examines systemic constraints that impede the effective integration of the region’s religious and confessional heritage into processes of socio-economic and cultural development. The relevance of the study stems from the growing emphasis on domestic tourism as a key priority of national policy, as well as from the unique confessional diversity of the Penza Region, where Orthodoxy, Islam, Old Belief, Catholicism, and Lutheranism have coexisted for centuries. Despite the presence of 199 officially registered cultural heritage sites—predominantly of religious character—their potential remains largely underutilized, necessitating the identification and analysis of persistent institutional and financial barriers. The research is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines methods from economic geography, sociology, religious studies, and regional economics. Primary data sources include official documents—particularly the Penza Region’s State Program “Development of Culture and Tourism in the Penza Region”—as well as the Wikimedia platform’s database on cultural heritage. The study identifies three key institutional and financial barriers. First, there is a clear prioritization of formal procedures—such as the delineation of protected zones and technical inspections—over activities aimed at restoration, functional adaptation, and promotion of heritage sites. Second, since 2023, subsidies to non-governmental organizations for the reconstruction of the historical appearance of cultural heritage sites have been entirely discontinued—a particularly critical issue for rural areas, where NGOs serve as the main initiators of monument preservation. Third, there is no coherent strategy for integrating cultural heritage into tourism products: ethno-confessional routes have not been developed, digital interpretation of sites is lacking, and religious organizations remain minimally involved. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a significant gap between the declared objectives of the state program—such as increasing tourist numbers and tourism revenues—and the actual allocation of budgetary funds, which are predominantly directed toward administrative and managerial functions rather than practical development.

Datacenters are powering the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution. However, their water insecurity risks remain neglected. Limited research on the matter quantifies water demand at national or watershed-scales and estimates water use associated with training and using AI models. Research fails to examine water insecurity concerns held by households and communities where datacenters are planned or are operational. This article identifies four water insecurity concerns in the U.S. by synthesizing public reporting and legal filings involving non-governmental organizations, citizen coalition groups, investigative reporters, and individual citizens. These concerns include how datacenters’ development and operation can (i) undermine the democratization of water governance; (ii) contribute to unsustainable water use and rising utility costs; (iii) reduce the flexibility and resilience of water use decision-making; and (iv) increase water use across scales as a result of rising electricity demand. Three areas for future research are identified from the cases reviewed. First, local governments and utilities do not always readily provide water use data associated with datacenter operations; hence, public records should be requested and shared to democratize decision-making. Second, water-related risks posed to public health, rural and land-based livelihoods, and ecosystems from datacenter operations require context-specific empirical investigation. Third, examining whether and how specific water governance arrangements can engender acute health, economic, and environmental risks, especially under extreme events such as heatwaves or droughts, requires institutional analyses. Overall, analyzing datacenters’ volumetric water use within local contexts offers a more relevant analysis of water insecurity concerns and experiences.

ABSTRACT This article examines how Turkish and Qatari humanitarian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) navigate access, legitimacy, and influence in Somalia’s fragmented humanitarian environment. It focuses on Turkey’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), an independent faith-based NGO with grassroots engagement, and the semi-governmental Turkish Red Crescent (TRC), aligned with state diplomacy. On the Qatari side, it analyses Qatar Charity (QC) and Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), both operating within an authoritarian, elite-led system. Drawing on interviews and document analysis, the study applies Ketola’s typology of NGO strategies and negotiation theory to identify five challenges: access, governance, neutrality, logistics, and coordination. IHH acts as a navigator, TRC as a broker constrained by security and neutrality risks, while QC and QRCS operate as broker-translators emphasizing coordination and capacity-building. The study contributes to humanitarian diplomacy scholarship by showing how Turkish and Qatari NGOs operationalize humanitarian principles on the ground, expanding understandings beyond Western aid models.

Sex disparities in tuberculosis (TB) outcomes are not well characterized, especially in high-income countries where social vulnerability and migration influence access to care. Although men globally experience a higher TB burden, the interaction between sex, migration, and social determinants is complex and extends beyond biological factors. This study evaluated sex differences in clinical and programmatic TB outcomes in a high-income European country with a significant substantial migrant population. A retrospective multicentre cohort study was conducted across 16 Infectious Diseases Units in seven Italian regions from (January 2021 to September 2025). Outcomes included time to sputum conversion (in pulmonary TB), length of hospital stay (LOS), adverse events (AEs) and their severity, incomplete treatment (defined as failure, death, or loss to follow-up), and loss to follow-up (LTFU). Mixed-effects models were applied using two prespecified adjustment sets: sex, centre, and core confounders (Model A); and sex, centre, and clinically relevant baseline imbalances (Model B). Sub-analyses examined the impact of migration status. Of 982TB patients, 229 (23.3%) were women and 753 (76.7%) were men. Women exhibited lower rates of smoking (24.4% vs 36.7%), diabetes (7.9% vs 15.8%), and COPD/bronchiectasis (4.5% vs 10.3%). The median sputum conversion time was 21days for both sexes. Adjusted analysesindicated shorter LOS among women (Model A: - 22% [95%CI - 32 to - 10]; Model B: - 19% [95%CI - 28 to - 9]). Time to sputum conversion was slightly shorter in women in Model A (- 13%; 95%CI -23% to -1%) but not in Model B (- 9%; 95%CI -17% to 1%). The risk and severity of AEs were similar between sexes. In Model B, women had lower odds of incomplete treatment (OR 0.64 [95%CI 0.41 to 0.99]) and LTFU (OR 0.62 [95%CI 0.38 to 0.99]). Migrants experienced worse overall outcomes, but the effect of sex did not differ by migration status. Women had consistently shorter hospital stays and greater treatment continuity without increased toxicity, indicating that sex differences in TB outcomes are likely attributable to social and behavioural factors rather than biological differences. Supportive associative networks and non-governmental organisations may help reduce sex disparities, underscoring the importance of sex- and migration-responsive TB care models in Europe.

ABSTRACT The recent military coups in Chad (2021), Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (2021), Guinea (2021), Niger (2023), and Gabon (2023) have raised longstanding questions about the role of African militaries in democratization processes. Drawing on the existing literature, open-source data, and field research in all six coup-affected countries, the article provides the first conceptual and empirical analysis of the post-military coup transitions processes across francophone Africa. It demonstrates that the recent coup surge in the region is quantitatively and qualitatively different from previous post-1990 post-coup transitions. Subsequently, it assesses the capacity of each junta to secure long-term access to executive power, and whether they face viable opposition from within their militaries-at large, organized civil society, and external powers pushing for a return to civilian democratic rule. The juntas’ greatest challenge in consolidating their access to executive power arises from their militaries. Organized civil society and external democracy promotors hold no effective leverage over their polities’ post-transition trajectories. The article advances hypotheses about the direction of post-coup transition outcomes and serves as the point of departure for future actor-centric studies about the effects of coups on future political regime developments.

Background The national health system of Liberia was severely damaged during its civil war in the 1990s, especially the rehabilitation and physiotherapy services. During the post-conflict time, however, steps have been taken to improve rehabilitation and physiotherapy infrastructure as well as the number of trained staff to deliver physiotherapy services. Nevertheless, systematic documentation of the progression, current conditions, and sustainability of physiotherapy services currently exists in Liberia is still quite limited. Methods By utilising a cross-sectional study design, Researchers conducted a national examination of the changes that had occurred in Liberia's physical therapy sector since the end of the civil war. A structured survey instrument was developed using a Likert Scale. The completed versions of this survey were sent to 950 unique participants, comprising Physiotherapists and other Rehabilitation Providers; Administrators within the Health System, Instructors and Students majoring in Fields of Physical Education. This survey instrument collected information on how the civil conflict affected the physical therapy profession; Workforce Development; Infrastructure Issues; Policy & Governance; the Role of International Agencies; Service Delivery Utilisation; Challenges; and Sustaining Services. The data analysis was performed utilising both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to identify trends and explore relationships among the respondent's demographic groups. Results Challenges to access physiotherapy services were reported to be disrupted significantly at times during and after the civil war. However, improvements were reported to have occurred in workforce development, institutional capabilities, and the availability of physiotherapy services after the civil war. Respondents cited many of the services available in their area were provided through the involvement of international and non-governmental organisations who played a significant role in the recovery of the rehabilitation systems. Many of the respondents reported continuing challenges even after these improvements, including lack of financial resources; lack of equal distribution of physiotherapy services across geographic areas; limited availability of equipment and shortages of trained physiotherapists, especially in rural parts of the country. Gaps in governance, as well as long-range planning, were identified by respondents, as evidenced by mixed responses regarding both the level of policy support for physiotherapy services, and the degree to which physiotherapy services are integrated into the national health system. Conclusion The major findings from this study indicate that participation in Physiotherapy services since the end of the Civil War is largely due to external partnerships and workforce training programs which have been developed & established with the help of International Agencies. However, significant structural, financial, and policy-induced impediments will hinder the continued development of Physiotherapy services within Liberia. There is a need to work together to build on existing strengths and provide greater government investment through increased funding, to strengthen support to the various local training programmes and improve overall system integration as part of the effort to build a sustainable rehabilitation service in post-conflict Liberia.

Abstract This Field Reflection is based on the introductory speech (lectio praecursoria) I delivered at the public examination of my doctoral thesis on 10 January 2025 at the University of Helsinki. The thesis explored the interplay between EU migration management measures and the lived experiences of refugees, focusing on the Greek island of Lesvos as a critical site of bordering and refugee resistance. Drawing on three case studies conducted between 2021 and 2023, the research examined how physical, legal, and social borders shape refugee access to EU territory, protection, and integration in Europe. Through interviews with representatives of two civil society organizations in Lesvos, refugee-produced artwork and social media content, the study also highlighted the political agency of refugees as they navigated and resisted restrictive measures. Refugee-created visual artifacts, such as paintings and photographs, serve as powerful tools for self-expression and advocacy, challenging dominant narratives of victimhood, invasion, and threat. The findings underscore the need to reimagine migration governance, centering refugee voices and prioritizing protection over deterrence. This Reflection contributes to broader discussions on refugee rights, border politics, and the human dimensions of migration management.