Story Search Results

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 2267 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

In Nepal, 'appalling' river runs cleaner in wake of unusual partnership

Atul Bhattarai

December 18, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kathmandu

For years, campaigns to clean Nepal's polluted Bagmati River resulted in failure. Now with police and government backing, the organization Safai Abhiyaan is in its third year, attracting hundreds of volunteers who are willing to brave the polluted waters to collect trash. The program's unique approach to organizing community volunteers has been a success, but the problem will not subside until greater perceptions about litter and water pollution are tackled.

Read More
Go to Original Story
'Bribing' Mums To Feed Their Kids

Emma Wilson, Sahar Zand

December 18, 2016 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Peru, Tarma, Junín

One in three children in Peru are stunted by a lack of nutritious foods in their diet. In 2005, the government gave cash hand-outs to poor mothers, but only on the condition that they had regular health check-ups and their children went to school. By 2014 the number of children growing up too small had halved.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Free Cash in Finland. Must be Jobless.

Peter S. Goodman

December 17, 2016 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Finland, Oulu

Monthly unemployment checks are dissuading individuals from finding work for fear that their work will pay less. Oulu, Finland is testing out 'basic income' where everyone receives a government cheque, to encourage people to work without fear of losing their monthly assistance.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Costa Rica modernized without wrecking the environment. Here's how.

Nathanael Johnson

December 15, 2016 |

Grist |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, San Jose

Unlike other countries suffering with an impoverished population, Costa Rica has not destroyed the environment while modernizing its economy. Costa Rica has created a coffee alliance, a collective effort between the government and local farmers to grow and cultivate sustainable coffee agriculture through public policy and land distribution. The coffee alliance has given economic empowerment to the people, while being environmentally green.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Colorful maps and wooden blocks have lured some skeptical parents — but can free public Montessori survive in Detroit?

Erin Einhorn

December 14, 2016 |

Chalkbeat |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit implemented the Montessori Method at several public schools, despite funding constraints. The program has attracted families that might otherwise look to the suburbs and private schools for education. It has resulted in more diverse classrooms and more opportunities for students.

Read More
Go to Original Story
15 countries, other states use social impact bonds, too

Kristen Jordan Shamus

December 13, 2016 |

Detroit Free Press |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Peterborough

A project launched in the United Kingdom uses social-impact bonds to reduce recidivism among prisoners, bringing together public and private resources to implement more effective and cost efficient social programs. Their success is inspiring other countries to follow suit.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How Ontario's vision of equity for schools contrasts starkly with Pennsylvania's

Kevin McCorry

December 13, 2016 |

Keystone Crossroads |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Canada, Toronto, Ontario

Part 1 of the "Equity or Bust: Are Ontario's Public Schools a Model for Pennsylvania" Series: Ontario has become widely lauded for its education system, celebrated for both high performance and relatively smaller achievement gaps between wealthy and poor students, thanks to the concept of "equity." This manifests, in essence, as more funding per-pupil to the school boards that serve students who face the greatest obstacles. The model contrasts starkly to the school system in Pennsylvania, regarded as "the most inequitable in the nation.”

Read More
Go to Original Story
This Is How We Can Tackle Climate Change, Even With a Denier in Chief

Laurie Mazur

December 12, 2016 |

The Nation (New York) |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

With little action happening to reverse or prepare for climate change at the federal level, local communities have taken initiative on their own. From voters in Flagstaff passing a $10 million bond to bolster forest management to the city of Tulsa buying over 1,000 flood-prone properties, across the United States people are taking non- or bi-partisan steps to increase their towns’ resilience. Core to each initiative is not a parachute, one-size-fits-all approach, rather, it’s taking a hyper-local approach, centering community strength, and moving disadvantaged populations to the forefront.

Read More
Go to Original Story
To fight poverty in Africa, a new-old solution: cash handouts

Ryan Lenora Brown

December 11, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Lesotho, Maseru

The approach of giving cash straight to poor people - rather than funneling goods or services indirectly through the slow, diluted, and complex systems of charities or governments - is nothing new, but evidence of long-term success and sustainability are few. That's why many NGOs and governments are now coupling cash transfers with more comprehensive programs such as job training and financial counseling, as well as addressing some of the root causes that keep people poor, like lack of infrastructure and market access.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Making of Telluride's Strict Short-Term Regulations

Chad Reich

December 09, 2016 |

KBUT Community Radio |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Telluride, Colorado

Late-night disturbances. Unfamiliar cars. As short-term rentals became common in Telluride, nuisance concerns rose too. In response, the town council passed an ordinance, defining short-term rentals as stays of less than 30 days and instating strict zoning and licensing requirements on rental businesses. Five years later, the policy remains effective and popular.

Read More
Go to Original Story