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Air pollution: New attempts to tackle Cairo's black cloud

Mariam Rizk

March 07, 2017 |

BBC |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Egypt, Cairo

For many years, the city of Cairo has been dealing with dense smog, known as the "black cloud," that covers the city. This air pollution was initially set off by farmers burning surplus crops, but now is the cause of 42% of the nation's air pollution, according to the Egyptian Environment Ministry. Now, the government is taking action to fight against the smog with new programs and fees, aided by the inventions created by members of the Cairo community.

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In a Rust Belt Town Where Tuition Is Covered, Economy Begins to Revive

J. Gabriel Ware

March 02, 2017 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Kalamazoo, Michigan

For over 10 years, a non-profit in Kalamazoo, Michigan has been covering 65 to 100 percent of college costs for local public school students. Kalamazoo Promise, which has inspired similar programs throughout the country, aims to retain and increase the city's population (after dropping numbers in recent decades) and improve college attendance and completion rates. So far, high school dropout rates have declined and more Kalamazoo students are enrolling in college. Furthermore, the improvements have been the same for low-income and minority students as for middle-income and white students.

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The Voter Lottery

Kathleen Hawkins

February 26, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Voter turnout is a problem around the world, especially in local elections and among minority groups. But a small group of academics and activists in the US are experimenting with a new way to encourage people to turn up to vote: a lottery. Every voter is entered and one lucky winner gets a big cash prize, eliminating the risk of bribery and bought votes.

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Building Trust Cuts Violence. Cash Also Helps.

Rikha Sharma Rani

February 21, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Richmond, California

Richmond, California has one of the nation’s highest gun violence rates, so Operation Peacemaker Fellowship tracks and identifies individuals at risk of committing violent acts or becoming a victim of violence. The Fellowship reaches out to each at-risk person with employment training, mentorship, and sends out teams to de-escalate conflicts within targeted communities. These “change agents” spend time with youth and get to know their families, so they can better understand how to help and offer a cash incentives to the targeted individuals who are part of the program.

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To create meaningful change, apparel brands need to pursue sustainability at the industry level

Mary Hable

February 06, 2017 |

Ensia |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

In the past, apparel companies were not given financial rewards for acting sustainably, and therefore, on the whole, saw no reason to encourage customers to do so. But now, by investing in industry-level research and developments to clue consumers into their sustainable behaviors, the Sustainable Apparel Coalition is working to change this. The Coalition provides clothing store customers with the sustainability equivalent of a nutrition label, hoping to both encourage sustainable consumption from consumers, and incentivizing environmentally-friendly practices for producers.

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The costs of growth and change in Nashville

David Plazas

January 29, 2017 |

The Tennessean |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is developing a comprehensive strategy for affordable housing to help address the challenges of rising property prices and gentrification for the city's poor and minorities. The city is helping influence more inclusive growth patterns through financial incentives like the Barnes Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

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In Kansas City, a lesson in transforming closed schools

Kalyn Belsha

January 24, 2017 |

Chicago Reporter |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kansas City, Missouri

When public schools close, what can communities do with the buildings? Kansas City hired an urban planner to help repurpose school buildings to better engage the community and enabled non-profits a chance to purchase the old properties. This school reuse excelled from increasing the transparency of the decision-making process and “creative financing.”

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'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.

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Did free college save this city?

Simon Montlake

December 17, 2016 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Kalamazoo, Michigan

In 2005, anonymous donors announced they would cover college tuition for most students in all future Kalamazoo, Michigan classes: "Other cities declare themselves open for business or tourism. Kalamazoo wants you to know that it’s funding knowledge." While the culture around college has changed dramatically since the program's inception and more students are attending college, the program hasn't come without challenges: many get to college but don't necessarily have the preparation to make it to graduation. As other cities start similar programs, Kalamazoo's long-standing initiative offers important lessons.

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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.

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