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The Excitement of Learning From Profit and Loss

David Bornstein

March 06, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

500,000 young people drop out of high school each year; they feel disengaged and uninspired; they fail to see how school is relevant in their lives. An educational program called Build makes it possible for low-income students, as part of their high school studies, to work in teams, conceiving, testing, and ultimately operating their own small businesses. In the process, they discover — often to their surprise — their potential to deal with unexpected problems, persist through failure, and create something that the world values.

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From Our Prison to Your Dinner Table

Graeme Wood

March 03, 2015 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

In prison, most inmates are alienated from social practices and can be a tax burden for the states. The Colorado Correctional Industries is a program that positions inmates in different forms of labor such as making stuffed toys, farming fish, picking fruit, tending livestock, and creating crafts to be sold at grocery stores. The program makes inmates into taxpayers instead of tax burdens and offers skills that are useful for future employment once they leave prison.

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Moz digs garimpeiros out of trouble

Nathalie Bertrams

February 27, 2015 |

The Mail & Guardian Online |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Mozambique, Munhinga, Manica Province

Artisan gold mining - most of it illegal - is one of the greatest environmental and health concerns in Mozambique, but it provides a critical source of labor and economic support, especially for small communities. To help address some of the concerns for land degradation and water pollution, the government is helping miners establish licensed associations, which also provides training on improved business and mining practices, as well as adding some formality and stabilization to the sale of their gold.

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Behind LA's dramatic decline in gang violence

Ann Brenoff

February 24, 2015 |

The Huffington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In the past, Los Angeles was a dangerous city fraught with gang wars. Lately, though, LA has become a safer city due to six changes enforced by the police cracking down on public violence and gangs.

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It Takes a Village

Kirsi Jansa

February 11, 2015 |

Sustainability Pioneers |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Balcombe

Two towns are fighting back against fossil fuel companies. From fossil free energy fairs in Pennsylvania to a solar energy co-op in the UK, citizens are relying on the idea of community power to unite in favor of renewable energy. In the UK, the creative financing structure of the co-operative REPOWERBalcombe will generate both financial and environmental returns.

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Investing in Energy Efficiency Pays Off

David Bornstein

February 06, 2015 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Granville, Ohio

Retrofitting buildings for energy conservation in the United States could save $1 trillion over a decade, reduce American greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent, and create employment across the country. Many universities and other institutions are creating green investment funds to sustain projects that enhance efficiency.

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Running on renewable energy, Burlington, Vermont powers green movement forward

William Brangham

January 31, 2015 |

PBS NewsHour |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Burlington, Vermont

Urban areas contain the highest in concentration of burning fossil fuels, which negatively contributes to climate change. Spearheading the green energy movement, Burlington, VT claims that its city uses 100% renewable energy for electricity. Burlington’s efforts pilot a model for larger U.S. cities to follow.

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Industrial-Sized Art Factory Signals Creative Renewal in Paterson

Sonia Schnee

December 22, 2014 |

CivicStory |

Video |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Paterson, New Jersey

Paterson, NJ used to be a home to manufacturing industries, many of which no longer exist in New Jersey. Fortunately, old factories are being repurposed in new ways. The oldest textile factory is now thriving as The Art Factory, a studio and art space for designers, artists, and builders of all types. Not only does it help artists, but it also helps the environment by revitalizing an old space rather than knocking it down and building something new.

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Owning Is the New Sharing

Nathan Schneider

December 21, 2014 |

Shareable |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Entrepreneurs have tried to avoid putting their projects in the hands of venture capitalists fearing loss of control of the project direction and vision. The sharing community combats that by allowing entrepreneurs to fund their projects with the help of small investors, but the customers to become owners. It's a digital age co-op.

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What Big-City Museums Could Learn From This “Company Town” for Art

Gregory Scruggs

December 18, 2014 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, North Adams, Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) uses an innovative business model to stay afloat, relying on both internal and external projects and revenue streams to make a change in the North Adams community. The museum displays contemporary art but also has invested in property around the city, renting to local businesses and encouraging visitors to take notice in their creative projects inside and outside the museum walls.

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