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NexThought Monday: An Economy of Kindness
There is still another economy to be found in the world of social enterprise - an economy of scarcity. It is evolving as it matures as well. In the beginning of the explosion of mission-driven organizations, many people expected help would be given for free. It was noble to donate one’s time to people who were working to "save the world". And so many of us did. Until every second person we knew decided to save the world.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Now In Its ‘Junior’ Year, Unreasonable Institute is Open for Business as Unusual
When American high school students enter their junior year (their third of four years of high school) they face tests that will determine which colleges they may (or may not) attend. Those in sports are expected to compete and perform at the varsity level. They move from underclassmen to upperclassmen. In short, the stakes are upped.
For the Unreasonable Institute the stakes are upped as well. This could, and by all means should, be an inflection year.- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Social Entrepreneurship in Egypt: Challenges and Opportunities
High rates of youth unemployment across the Middle East and North Africa were a major catalyst for the Arab Spring revolutions. To help address this, the Development Marketplace is preparing for a country-level competition in Egypt early next year. The proposed DM competition will focus on social entrepreneurs with projects that have a strong impact on creating sustainable job opportunities, especially in the agricultural supply chain sector.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Social Enterprise
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Mobile Money Payments: Why It’s Time to Move From P2P to Me2Me
Mobile money providers should embrace Me2Me systems, that is, easy-to-use commitment savings platforms that help map how people think about their long-term needs and money. In the customer’s mind, each date would be associated with a purpose, such as paying off school fees, rent, farm equipment or other long-term purchases and expenses.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
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Best Ideas of 2011: 2012, the Year of Archimedean Entrepreneurs
Around 200 BC, Archimedes made a formidable dare: "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it and I shall move the world". Two thousand years later, ‘Archimedean entrepreneurs’ are responding to this mythical challenge, moving Africa beyond the "starving-growth" paradox to address the greatest challenge facing us.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Best Ideas of 2011: Understanding Three Affordable Housing X-Factors
I spent most of 2011 in Pakistan working at Ansaar Management Company on affordable housing projects in the flood-affected areas. Reflecting on the year, there are three distinct lessons that stand out. I call them X-Factors; lessons that, if understood broadly, could make a significant difference in the way in which housing is provided for all.
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- Uncategorized
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Weekly Roundup – 1/8/12: Best Ideas of 2011 Making it Hip to Help the BoP
Warby Parker sells inexpensive, highly fashionable eyewear with the promise to give a pair to a child in need for every pair sold. The company bypasses the criticism that one-for-one models can be more disruptive than helpful. In partnership with VisionSpring, it doesn’t just drop eyeglasses in the developing world, but empowers local communities.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Best Ideas of 2011: Improvising at the BoP
Planning works (reasonably) well in established, stable markets. But classical "planning" is unlikely to help when innovating in the surprising complexity of BoP markets as mapped in ’Poor Economics.’ Certainly, "chaos" and "anarchy" are not the answers either. Improvisation could provide a metaphor allowing us to understand this fragile balance.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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