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The girls who took over a town in rural India

Howard LaFranchi

April 15, 2018 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Thennamadevi

The teenage girls of Thennamadevi are leaders in their community. They’re actively fighting against gender discrimination by organizing. They successfully lobbied politicians and brought streetlights, and sanitary napkins to their village. Across the country, similar girls clubs are being implemented, reflecting an international girls power movement.

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Building an open, digital democracy in Taiwan

Nithin Coca

April 10, 2018 |

Equal Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Taiwan

In Taiwan, more than 4,500 citizens helped design regulations on ride-hailing and taxi companies by sharing feedback on digital platforms. The online tools can support democratic policymaking but face some accessibility barriers. They are part of a wider initiative by President Tsai Ing-wen to increase governmental transparency and civic engagement.

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App used in city of Canton puts power in the hands of citizens for reporting and tracking problems

Jonathan Walsh

April 09, 2018 |

WEWS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Canton, Ohio

The mayor’s office in Canton, Ohio recently implemented SeeClickFix, an app that allows local residents to share pictures of problems they see, such as potholes and abandoned cars. The complaints get added to a list for City Hall to address. This app is empowering residents to play a role in improving their own neighborhood, and the app has been a cost-effective way to create change in cities across Ohio and even around the globe.

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Community groups help Colorado counties participate in Superfund process

Jonathan Romeo

April 07, 2018 |

Durango Herald |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pueblo, Colorado

When lead and arsenic levels threatened the communities in Southeastern Colorado, the Environmental Protection Agency was asked to step in. In order to have a seat at the table when decisions were being made, community members in the city of Pueblo created a Community Advisory Group. This allowed them to not only increase their understanding of possible decisions, but also offer feedback. It has also offered a model for surrounding communities that are facing similar situations.

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Jakarta's urban poor have found a way to fight City Hall - and win

Evi Mariani Sofian

April 04, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Philippines, Jakarta

One kampung in Jakarta, or “informal urban neighborhood,” fought back against a city that didn’t want the neighborhood to exist. There has been a trend for these small neighborhoods to be bulldozed in the name of development, but the “progress” threatens the homes and livelihoods of thousands of families. Now, volunteers are helping these small kampungs remain politically active and continue to make positive change.

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What if what really matters in fighting crime is how well you know your neighbor?

David D. Haynes

March 21, 2018 |

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

It turns out the old adage of knowing your neighbor really can help make your neighborhood safer. A study of more than 250 cities found that a key factor behind a drop in crime in the last 20 years was the mobilizing of citizens by nonprofit organizations like block clubs. In Milwaukee these “urban guardians” have helped bring communities together and foster safer spaces that also address urban blight.

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They Risked Their Lives To Bring Music Back

Alix Spiegel

March 21, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Somalia, Mogadishu

With the extremist group Al-Shabab active in the country, music has been a source of trauma for Somalis with music banned in Shabab controlled territory and musicians assassinated. A reality show centered around musical performance is hoping to bring music back into public life.

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In a Historic Downtown, Disaster Becomes a Chance to Build Something Better

Adina Solomon

March 20, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Clarkesville, Georgia

After a fire destroyed much of downtown Clarkesville, the city invested millions of dollars in properties to restore. Local government leaders sought feedback from community members, and the result was a revitalized downtown, an improved version of the previous downtown. The redevelopment success can be a model for other cities.

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Civic Participation Begins in Schools

Sylvia Rousseau Scott Warren

March 20, 2018 |

Stanford Social Innovation Review |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The educational system in the United States prioritizes individual student success over the common civic good. But schools and organizations are bringing back civics education by creating democratic learning environments inside schools and helping students work on real-world policy issues.

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Children's Cabinet

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

March 19, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Somerville, Massachusetts

In Somerville, MA, businesses, nonprofits, government officials, and schools take a collaborative and holistic approach to improving children's lives. “Thinking about city budget, priorities, decision-making through the lens of kids ensures good outcomes for everybody,” a director of the initiative notes. Could Philadelphia benefit from breaking down silos and following Somerville's innovative lead?

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