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How an IIT Madras Initiative Is Powering 9,000 Homes at a Fraction of Traditional Electricity Costs

Priya Mohan

June 07, 2017 |

The Better India |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Jaipur, Rajasthan

A team of engineers at IIT Madras, a public university in India, has partnered with local utilities and the national Ministry of Power to bring sustainable, low-cost electricity to off-grid rural villages in the northwestern state of Rajasthan. With solar power supplied by DC microgrids, these poor rural communities are experiencing transformations to increase quality-of-life: affordable fridges that aid in food preservation, fans which mitigate heat and repel mosquitoes, and battery-powered phones connecting them to public emergency services.

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Lafayette Farmers Market returns with farmer incentives

Carah Wertheimer

June 07, 2017 |

Boulder Daily Camera |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Lafayette, Colorado

After taking a year off, the Lafayette Farmers Market in Colorado is back in action and piloting a new type of incentive program that is based on guaranteed-minimum sales for participating farmers. A first of its kind, this program aims to act as a safety net for farmers during the market season by encouraging a community-supported agriculture system.

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Selling Doctors on Cutting Drug Costs

Jay Hancock

June 06, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Albany, New York

Big pharmaceutical companies spend thousands of dollars every year persuading doctors to prescribe their products to patients. Doctors comply, often not realizing that a generic alternative exists or how much the name brand product is costing insurance companies and patients. The Capital District Physicians' Health Plan recruits big pharma drug representatives and hires them to educate doctors about the tactics used to sell them costly products and offer them the cheaper generic options instead. In the first year, these representatives saved patients 5 million dollars just by switching one drug to generic.

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After Coal, a Small Kentucky Town Builds a Healthier, More Creative Economy

Peter Slavin

June 06, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hemphill, Kentucky

Many small towns in rural Appalachia are struggling to adapt to the greater evolutions of the American economy away from the coal industry. But some places, like the little town of Hemphill in Kentucky, are using the opportunity to get creative with local enterprise and unite the community in launching new ventures. The Hemphill Community Center is now a central resource for launching new small businesses, arts and cultural events, and fostering shared resources and renewed growth for the town.

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The little shrub making a big difference in rural Senegal

Cissokho Lassana

June 05, 2017 |

The New Humanitarian (formerly IRIN) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Senegal, Passy Kaymor, Kaolack

As climate change has brought rising temperatures and more frequent droughts to much of Africa, some communities in Senegal are finding ways to survive by adapting their agricultural practices. Medicinal plants can be harvested more frequently and sold at higher prices than traditional millet and grain. The senna (Cassia) shrub in particular has allowed farmers, especially women, to sustain economic hope and prosperity, with the added benefit of improving the health of local villagers.

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The Philanthropy World Is Embracing Impact Investing

Ben Paynter

June 05, 2017 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Redwood City, California

The resources needed to tackle some of the world's most pressing social and environmental problems - from poverty to climate change to inequality - are generally far beyond the reach of governments and traditional philanthropies. Fortunately, the private sector is taking an increasing role in social entrepreneurship through the practice of impact investing. Organizations and individuals alike are investing funds into meaningful, scalable projects that are generally proven to also provide a return; a win-win for everyone that generates sustainable change.

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The woman who wants you to rent used baby clothes

Dougal Shaw

June 03, 2017 |

BBC |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

Movies, books, apartments: these are all things we commonly rent. One Danish couple is adding baby clothes to the list to reduce waste.

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Berlin Residents Step Up After Farmers Market Announces Departure

Cori Princell

June 02, 2017 |

New Hampshire Public Radio |

Radio |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Berlin, New Hampshire

When the Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network pulled their farmers market out of the town of Berlin, New Hampshire, they took away the town’s one gathering place and also an economic asset. In reaction, a group of women came together to establish an alternative. The Berlin Community Market has added a new gathering place filled with healthy produce, live music, and community.

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Innovators Face Challenges in Breaking Down Barriers to Capital for Underserved Entrepreneurs

Sarah Trent

June 02, 2017 |

Locavesting |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Cincinnati

Existing services and resources for entrepreneurs disproportionately do not help minorities and women, making it difficult for them to become successful. Programs such as MORTAR aim to help these under served entrepreneurs by providing capital to help their businesses take off.

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After the Nepal Earthquake, Weaving Brings Wealth

Liza Ramrayka

June 02, 2017 |

News Deeply |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal, Kapilakot, Sindhuli

After Nepal's 2015 earthquake, many village women were left in financial devastation and struggled to support their families. The earthquake destroyed up to 90% of small enterprises and markets, so the United Nations Development Programme trained women how to weave. As a mode of recovery, the weaving industry has helped rebuild the economic and social structures through the Panchakanya group.

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