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Cracking Washington's Gridlock to Save the Planet

David Bornstein

May 19, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

Climate change is a growing issue, but the Citizens' Climate Lobby (a group of volunteers who work to get Republicans and Democrats to work in unison) is aiming to curb carbon emissions. So far the group has had a large increase in number of volunteers and politicians joining and willing to work together.

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Participatory Budgeting: The People's Budget

Sophia Paliza-Carre

April 26, 2017 |

WNYC |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, North Shore, Staten Island, New York

Participatory budgeting is a way for citizens to directly influence government spending. The idea is taking off in New York with city councils in all five boroughs now putting money into these “people’s budgets.” Citizens propose ideas of how to spend the money, usually one million dollars or more, then vote. Past projects have included creating a teen space, planting trees, and building a community recording studio.

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The Trump-Era Push to Encourage Girls to Run for Office

Patricia Alex

April 24, 2017 |

Bright Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Women are underrepresented in elected positions, and with Trump being elected after being heard describing women in poor taste, this has only become more of a concern. Programs such as Elect Her and IGNITE are trying to help increase the number of women in politics through various methods.

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Inside the Women-Led Global Alliance to Save the Planet

Andrea Cooper

April 24, 2017 |

Ms. Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Paris, Paris Region

Women4Climate is a new alliance of women mayors from major cities who are determined to act against climate change with or without federal support. Instead, they mentor each other in innovative solutions, cross-promote important causes, and share best practices to help stem the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions, empowering women everywhere to participate.

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A How-to Book for Wielding Civic Power

David Bornstein

April 05, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Recognizing a pervasive sense of powerlessness in the US, Eric Liu authored "You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen.” By connecting stories of various groups across the political spectrum exercising their civic muscles, he lays out concrete ways that power can be reclaimed by the seemingly powerless citizen.

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Is Vancouver lonelier than most cities or just better about addressing it?

Ashifa Kassam

April 04, 2017 |

The Guardian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver has gained a reputation as one of the loneliest cities in the world. In a survey of residents conducted by the Vancouver Foundation, 1 in 3 respondents said that "they found it hard to make friends in the city." To foster community, the city created a task force to tackle this feeling of isolation, aided by the efforts of community-owned projects.

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How Utah Keeps the American Dream Alive

Megan McArdle

March 28, 2017 |

Bloomberg |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Salt Lake City, Utah

In many parts of the United States, people struggle with economic mobility and achieving the American Dream. Salt Lake City’s rate of economic mobility is at the highest in the country. An investigative journalist explores the Mormon-influenced structure of charitable giving and various social factors that have created this socio-economic anomaly, and discovers that compassionate conservatism and some government welfare programs have contributed to the state being a unique case.

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Reentry Think Tank wants returning citizens designing reentry services

Tony Abraham

March 09, 2017 |

Generocity |

Multi-Media |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Reentry Think Tank in Philadelphia brings a badly needed component to the world of services helping inmates reintegrate back into society: The experiences of actual former inmates. The nonprofit created fellowships for those coming back from prison and it has joined with the larger Philadelphia Reentry Coalition to make sure these voices are at the table with policy makers. They're working on a list of policy suggestions called the People's Bill of Rights in a model they want to see replicated across other social services.

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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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Essen's award-winning blueprint for greening the postindustrial city

Simone D'Antonio

February 16, 2017 |

Citiscope |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Essen

Essen has a very industrial past but due to private and public efforts it has become Europe's 2017 "green capital". The city has converted industrial buildings into places for art, wastewater is being diverted from the river, bike mobility has been increased, and trees have been planted.

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