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In Ethiopia, model drought defenses are put to the test

Ryan Lenora Brown

July 24, 2017 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s cosmopolitan capital, has long been considered a world apart from surrounding rural communities, all of which suffer from reoccurring droughts and civil war. However, thanks to international aid and government intervention, things are looking up for the whole of Ethiopia, dubbed one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Success is particularly linked to a government program designed to predict natural disasters before they occur, and an innovative economic development program, which employs Ethiopia’s poorest in exchange for labor on public works projects. So far, these measures h

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Mexico launches pioneering scheme to insure its coral reef

Fiona Harvey

July 20, 2017 |

The Guardian |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Mexico, Cancún, Quintana Roo

Climate change is a mounting threat to coral reefs, which serve not just as critical habitats for ocean life and a draw for the tourism industry, but also as a buffer to the increasing storms caused by changing weather patterns. In the first scheme of its kind, private businesses, nonprofits, and the government in Mexico's Yucatán Penninsula are combining financial resources to take out an insurance policy on their coral reefs. The insurance will help rebuild the reefs after storms and man-made damage, and fund new ways to keep them healthy.

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This Woman Was a Pavement Dweller, Today She Runs a Sanitary Pad Manufacturing Unit

Jovita Aranha

July 05, 2017 |

The Better India |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Mumbai, Maharashtra

In the slums of India, living on the street as a "pavement dweller" is a daily struggle for survival - and being a woman on the street is even more terrifying. Organizations like Mahila Milan and the Myna Mahila Foundation are working to help lift women up out of homelessness through the empowerment of employment and breaking crippling cultural taboos.

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IDB Aims to Catalyze Energy Efficiency in Latin America

Abhilasha Purwar

July 03, 2017 |

Clean Energy Finance Forum |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Barriers, such as lack of standardization and information dispersion, are preventing market development for global financing of energy-efficient projects. The Inter-American Development Bank's Energy Savings Insurance Team has developed a scheme that could increase investments resulting in greater energy efficiency; through implementations such as standardized contracts, market auditors, and an engagement framework.

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How Artificial Intelligence Could Democratize Financial Services In Asia

Casey Hynes

July 03, 2017 |

Forbes |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Pakistan, Lahore

The rapid evolution of technology is continually opening new doors for how microfinance projects can be implemented, improved, and scaled. The team at ADDO A.I. sees artificial intelligence as the catalyst for both microfinance and microinsurance in the emerging markets of Asia. A.I. reduces the need for human assessments, facilitating faster pay-outs and reduced losses through predictive data, while combining information such as financial histories and social media activity with historic context data to create fair, realistic risk assessments that lead to improved credit products.

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This Grantmaking Pyramid Strategy Ensures That Nonprofits Won't Topple

Ben Paynter

July 01, 2017 |

FastCompany |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Traditional models of non-profit funding - as well as antiquated perceptions that create public pressure to limit overhead spending in philanthropic initiatives - has created an unsustainable, impossible-to-scale system in which many organizations with otherwise great potential often drown. "Much like [private] companies offering standard services or products, nonprofits need to build stability, investing in talent, training, R&D, and non-dilapidated offices, while putting aside some cash so they don’t live and die by the next grant cycle." The Ford Foundation is looking to challenge the ineffective result-driven method of funding non-profits through its new BUILD Program, which will allow for better focus on organizational resilience and sustainability.

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This Online Lender Uses Data Analytics To Serve Borrowers Who Lack Credit Scores

Jessica Goodheart

June 29, 2017 |

FastCompany |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Redwood City, California

Historically, banks have been largely hesitant to give small loans to individuals, particularly those with little or no credit history, which includes many immigrants and minorities. But an institution called Oportun is willing to bet on the underserved while still staying profitable as a business - they provide increased access to loans by leveraging a solid screening process, online resources, and credit score support for their customers.

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Rethinking Homeless Shelters From the Ground Up

Krutika Pathi

June 28, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The homeless population in NYC stands at the highest number since the Great Depression. The Bowery Residents Committee has suggested changes to how shelters emerge, run and are funded. With a focus on results-based funding, the BRC advocates for the prioritization of impact on the people served. It rewards locations that demonstrate a high ratio of people moving in to those returning; "building to the function" of helping people re-enter society; and eliminating private landlords.

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Making Microcredit Charities Better

Dyan Machan

June 17, 2017 |

Barron's |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ghana, Pokuase

Microfinance was widely lauded for decades as a surefire and promising way to break the cycle of poverty and uplift the economies of the developing world, especially when targeted for women. But hard data has shown that, on its own, micro-loans don't serve to create sustainable change without a comprehensive approach, and that there are many other factors - such as education and healthcare - to consider when leveraging these tools.

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U-Haul Invests in New England Wild Spaces

Leon Kaye

June 15, 2017 |

Triple Pundit |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Success, New Hampshire

U-Haul and supermarket supplier C&S Wholesale Grocers are striving to help offset their wood use by increasing donations to The Conservation Fund. This partnership has led to the promotion of the conservation of the Success Pond and its surrounding forest, the establishment of newly planted trees, and a significant investment in land easements that will restore and protect native habitats.

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