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Thousands of South Africans join GovChat

Vernon Pillay

October 04, 2018 |

IOL Business Report |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa

GovChat is the world's first platform that connects citizens with politicians via WhatsApp. It allows citizens to rate public services and report issues, submit service requests, and donate to community organizations. Thousands of people registered and began using the platform within the first 72 hours.

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Alternative toilet facilities in schools attract more children in Kibera

Henry Owino

October 02, 2018 |

Talk Africa |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Kenya, Kibera, Nairobi

In a slum in Kiberia, Kenya, a new invention called Peepoople Kenya (or Peepoo for short) is addressing a mounting sanitation issue from open defecation and lack of clean facilities. The solution is a single-use, biodegradable toilet (via a bag that spreads across a small pot) in new and maintained facilities. Teachers and pupils testify to the cleanliness and usability of the toilets and have even found unexpected benefits as well, like the facilities in a safer location and less time lost from lessons by waiting in line for a latrine.

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This startup lets villagers create mini power grids for their neighbors

Adele Peters

September 28, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh, Shikarpur

Solshare, a fast-growing startup in Bangladesh, created a system in which “neighbors can sell extra electricity to each other.” The number of home solar panels has been increasing since a 2014 government program put solar power as a priority on its agenda. Even though more and more people have power, up to 30% is estimated to be wasted. Solshare created a microgrid in which cabling connects people who want to buy and sell power.

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'Startup in Residence' Wants to Help Entrepreneurs Understand City Hall

Linda Poon

September 28, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

A program in San Francisco to help small-businesses win government contracts is scaling to cities across the United States and Canada as more entrepreneurs look for ways to partner with government instead of just disrupting local markets. The program works by giving businesses an inside view of government processes, with four months dedicated to working in various departments, interviewing employees, and generally collaborating to produce products before entering into a contract.

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How Indonesia is using data to protect its oceans

Nithin Coca

September 27, 2018 |

Devex |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Indonesia, Jakarta

Indonesia's fisheries are responsible for a significant portion of the country's gross domestic product and job market. The industry is also one of the most threatened outlets due to a history of abuses including illegal fishing by foreign vessels. Although still a problem plaguing the county, the combination of policy, open data and technology has shown significant success in bringing the fishing economy back to life.

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For refugees, the best solution is often just cash

Adele Peters

September 27, 2018 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Bogotá

The International Rescue Committee’s cash transfer program has seen success most recently in Colombia, by helping Venezuelan refugees start fresh in a new place. For the Del Carmen family, cash transfers of $66 per household member for three months provided the capital necessary to create a new income stream - a mini market that allows Yoleima del Carmen, the mother, to feed her family. This is part of a broader trend in the international development space in which more and more funding is allocated to cash transfers.

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Tamarindo Revives and Transforms Abandoned Lots With Projects for the Community

Noelia Esquivel

September 25, 2018 |

La Voz de Guanacaste |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Costa Rica, Tamarindo

The Tamarindo Integral Development Association (ADI) has achieved success in a seemingly mundane task: taking charge of vacant lots. The ADI first borrowed use of vacant lots to start a farmers market and a soccer school. The group then mapped 40 vacant lots across the Tamarindo area. Now, the group is successfully working on reviving public spaces for the common good all across the town.

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Britons Pay Hundreds for H.I.V. Drugs. Why Do Americans Pay Thousands?

Tina Rosenberg

September 25, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: England, Liverpool

When it comes to helping H.I.V. patients, Britain's National Health Service is able to keep prices for treatment much lower than the United States does by encouraging the use of generic drugs. The National Health Service's structure allows it to incentivize prescribing generic treatment in a way that the American system doesn't, especially as H.I.V. treatments are not being consistently replaced by something found to be more efficient.

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The Last Straw: How the Travel Industry Is Phasing Out Plastic

Jessica Colley Clarke

September 25, 2018 |

AFAR |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

The reduction of plastic at any scale plays a vital role in improving the environment, and the travel industry is the latest sector to join ranks of those aiming to reduce the substance. From banning straws to using refillable shampoo dispensers in place of mini bottles, hotels and airlines are taking a stand.

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Wastewater and public health in the rural South

Melissa Brown

September 24, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hayneville, Alabama

A wastewater infrastructure crisis in the southern United States is much like those found in far less-developed countries. Now researchers and nonprofits are looking to successes in Africa, in an effort to eradicate obscure diseases and improve quality of life.

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