Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 386 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

'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.

Read More
Go to Original Story
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.

Read More
Go to Original Story
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.

Read More
Go to Original Story
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.

Read More
Go to Original Story
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.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Large malt producer uses wood chips to fuel power plant

Gregg Hennigan

March 04, 2016 |

Rock Road Recycle |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Shakopee, Minnesota

Rahr Malting, a brewery in Shakopee, MN, has found a creative way to sustainably address their energy needs. The company partners with the Mdewakanton Sioux Community to use waste barley hulls from the malting factory to generate electricity for their facilities, selling excess power to the public grid while the waste heat sprouts the malt to make beer.

Read More
Go to Original Story
India's Maternal Care Crisis: Is There A Solution?

Meera Vijayann

December 14, 2015 |

Forbes |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Dombivli

A social enterprise in India addresses the root causes of the country's maternal health care crisis, studying social and economic factors that contribute to infant deaths, domestic violence, and improper maternal health care practices. The enterprise, SNEHA, builds relationships with mothers to learn about their health and domestic violence history, and offers financial and health care support.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Another Giant Leap

Ndoni Khanyile

December 04, 2015 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: India, Sukhrali, Haryana

The rapid development of emerging economies across Asia and Africa is lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty - but there is much debate as to how to best structure this growth. If these economies evolve in the same way as in the West - with unchecked, excessive resource consumption and heavy pollution - the planet may be on the fast track to disaster. Earthrise explores how these nations can grow sustainably using improved, eco-conscious technologies like renewable energy and eco-friendly farming practices.

Read More
Go to Original Story
This Solution To Poverty In Slums Needs To Be Rapidly Replicated

Devin Thorpe

October 21, 2015 |

Forbes |

Multi-Media |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: South Africa, Port Elizabeth

In South Africa, the extreme gap between rich and poor is the root cause of cyclical poverty, and those living in slums face particularly high barriers to education, healthcare, and quality of life. The Ubuntu Education Fund is using a comprehensive approach that includes sustainable investment in community leadership and infrastructure, a cradle-to-career household stability service, and a dexterous, community oriented approach to helping break the cycle of poverty.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Opening City Hall's Wallets to Innovation

Tina Rosenberg

September 25, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Great solutions to common problems often already exist and have been implemented elsewhere. By crowdsourcing ideas and broadening the pool from which contractors are selected, cities across the world are improving their cities.

Read More
Go to Original Story