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Milan leads fight against food waste – with ugly fruit and Michelin-starred soup kitchens

Simone D'Antonio

October 16, 2016 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Italy, Milan

Since its 2015 Expo, Milan has continued to foster a number of unique initiatives to combat food waste, promote healthy and sustainable food systems, and ensure that its people never go hungry. Through projects such as collecting unsold food at the end of market day for distribution in soup kitchens, using apps to redirect food waste, implementing new laws to ease the process of food donation, as well as fostering collaboration between cities, Milan is leading the efforts to prioritize food on the New Urban Agenda.

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In Rural Bangladesh, Solar Power Dents Poverty

Amy Yee

October 04, 2016 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh, Kakhin Bimile, Dhaka Division

Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Idcol), a government-backed Bangladeshi energy and infrastructure group, is helping bring solar power to homes in rural Bangladesh that once relied on dangerous kerosene or expensive diesel for electricity. The keys to Idcol’s expansion are financing plans that cater to lower-income people, as well as partnerships with 56 grass-roots organizations like the microfinance institution Grameen. Solar energy is reliable, clean, and more cost effective in the long run, and has become a lifeline for low-income Bangladeshis living beyond access of the main grid.

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It Takes a Library

Lucia Duncan

October 04, 2016 |

Santa Fe Public Radio (KSFR) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Dixon, New Mexico

In New Mexico, public libraries are funded by municipalities. That means, if you live in an unincorporated town, there’s no funding stream for a local public library. But, in northern New Mexico, residents in several towns have joined together to create independent libraries that have transformed their communities.

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Farmers, Chefs, and Lawyers: Building an Ecology of One

Patrick M. Lydon

August 21, 2016 |

The Nature of Cities |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: South Korea, Hongcheon

The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization provides some pretty grim predictions for the future of global food stability if modern, monoculture farming practices continue to degrade land, spread pesticides, and destroy natural habitats at their current rate. A revival in the "ecology of one" mindset is bringing many farmers, like Ryoseok Hong in South Korea, back to more natural, traditional methods of agriculture which place greater value on community relationships and farm-to-table transparency, as well as biodiversity and preservation of the greater ecosystem.

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What is driving Uber's global impact?

Catherine Cheney

August 05, 2016 |

Devex |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

At the San Francisco headquarters of Uber, three televisions greet visitors and employees just past the check in desk. The central screen plays a video on repeat: “Moving riders, moving partners, moving newlyweds, moving ice cream, moving Kenya, moving China, moving Australia, moving anywhere.” On the opposite wall, bright green dots are plotted on a black world map, demonstrating the spread of this ride hailing company that just completed its 2 billionth ride.

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'No one leaves anymore'. How Ethiopia's restored drylands offer hope

Cathy Watson

August 03, 2016 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ethiopia, Mekelle

Environmental refugees in Ethiopia flee their country because there are no jobs without healthy land. A group of former refugees have returned to Ethiopia with a business venture in Gergera to improve the land by regreening efforts, foresting, and building water conservation systems. The new businesses demonstrated such positive effects that the region is now on the brink of resettlement due to improved environmental conditions.

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The Surprising Success of Micro Hydro

Peter Bosshard

June 01, 2016 |

International Rivers |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Myanmar, Yangon, Yangon Region

The Hydropower Empowerment Network takes a country-by-country approach to helping establish micro hydro and other technologies in rural places where electricity is difficult to come by. Micro hydro has even proven to be more durable and sustainable than solar, though solar is cheaper and quicker to install - the reason is the depth of community involvement required. When villagers participate on longer-term, complex projects, they develop pride in their work, learn invaluable new skills, and are empowered to engage with the solution.

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Want To Serve The World's Poorest Citizens? Take Your Company Public In India

Nish Acharya

May 03, 2016 |

Forbes |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Mumbai

There is a substantial argument for increased involvement of private companies in venture philanthropy. Unlike large government bodies and NGOs, private companies are more nimble and experienced when it comes to strategies in marketing, R&D, creating pricing structures, and adapting to rapid social change. Three companies in India are seeing real results by serving India's poorest customers with a market-based approach.

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Can water ATMs solve India's water crisis?

Fred de Sam Lazaro Judy Woodruff

April 13, 2016 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: India, Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi

In many rural communities in India, access to clean drinking water is still scarce. The cost of bottled water is prohibitive, city pipes are in poor condition, and the municipal tanker trucks that supply some water are haphazard. But a social business called Sarvajal is busy scaling up a solution: a water ATM. These machines allow people to scan a pre-paid card and withdraw purified water from a stable, convenient source within their community when needed.

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Uganda - Legal Advice

Fi Glover Henrietta Moore Martha Lane Fox

March 13, 2016 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Uganda, Kampala

Barefoot Law was founded to keep Ugandans educated about their legal rights. The group of lawyers provides legal help to 300,000 people each month, heavily supported by volunteers. As a non-profit social enterprise, the volunteer efforts are crucial to reaching such a wide audience. The key innovation is using a cell phone network to spread legal information using calls, texts, and social media.

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