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Building Markets, Building Cohesion: Lessons from Last-Mile Deliveries
In 2016, Myanmar was a nation emerging from decades of conflict and isolation. Kopernik, the UNDP and Mercy Corps responded with a pilot program that utilized technology distribution as an avenue to strengthen social cohesion in the country's remote rural communities. Tomohiro Hamakawa and Vanesha Manuturi of Kopernik share development lessons learned from the program — lessons with the potential to benefit other emerging market communities making a comeback from histories of conflict.
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- Energy, Technology
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A 21st Century Approach to Social Progress: Cross-Sector Partnerships as a Possible Solution
For years the public, private and nonprofit sectors have worked separately to address key global challenges. But now, those challenges have outgrown this piecemeal approach, say the authors of the new book “Social Value Investing: A Management Framework for Effective Partnerships." In this Q&A with NextBillion, authors Howard W. Buffett and William B. Eimicke explore why cross-sector partnerships are the best way to create lasting social impact – and how to make those partnerships work.
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- Investing
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Symbiotic and Strategic: Why Businesses Should Embrace Nonprofit Partnerships
Imagine losing your sight. Now imagine losing your sight in one of the poorest regions in the world. With few quality eye doctors, hospitals or clinics, your chances of getting quality care would be small, and your opportunities to get an education or earn a steady income would slowly evaporate. Orbis CEO Bob Ranck explores how for-profit partners are helping his nonprofit tackle this issue - and why this sort of partnership makes good economic and business sense for both sides.
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- Health Care
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- nonprofits, partnerships
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Moving Past Microfinance: How India’s Small Finance Banks Aim to Take Financial Inclusion to the Next Level
The proliferation of microfinance in India has been a double-edged sword: On the one hand, MFIs have reached customers that most mainstream banks have overlooked. On the other, a lack of clear regulation and oversight has had devastating consequences for some borrowers. But regulators have responded with a new category of financial institution, the “small finance bank.” Andreas Nilsson and Nina Freudenberg of Sonanz explore the evolution of these institutions and whether a wider range of products could also mean deeper social impact.
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- Uncategorized
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Seeking a Happy Ending: Will Nigeria’s New and Improved Financial Inclusion Strategy Work Better Than the Last One?
Nigeria's Central Bank has finally admitted something it had been hinting at for months: The 2020 goals described in its National Financial Inclusion Strategy are not feasible. Building off the wins and learning from the shortcomings of that strategy, the country is now setting new goals and targeting new gains in financial access. Olayinka David-West and Ibukun Taiwo of the Lagos Business School share their five recommendations for the next phase in Nigeria’s efforts to reach the unbanked.
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- Finance, Telecommunications
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Fighting ‘Tech Complacency’ in Social Enterprise: Why it’s Time to Embrace Blockchain
All around us, Fortune 500 firms and VCs are embracing disruptive innovation – so why aren't more social entrepreneurs following suit? Gautam Ivatury, founder and CEO of LendLedger, says the time has come for the social sector to take some risks and get out of its comfort zone – instead of simply waiting for technologies to filter down to its target beneficiaries. With blockchain, he says, social entrepreneurs "can redraw how industries work, not just create the latest in an endless series of mission-driven service providers."
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- Finance, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Unboxing Solar: An Israeli-run Startup Works to Expand Energy Access in the Palestinian Territories
Sometimes the path to social entrepreneurship can be unexpected. Take Israeli entrepreneur Yo'Av Moshe: After an armed confrontation with Israeli soldiers, he decided to use his skills to create social change in his country. He later found the inspiration for his business after leaving Tel Aviv to build a home on wheels with its own solar power system. Moshe now runs the startup SolarBox, which provides off-grid solutions in the Palestinian territories and other areas in and around Israel. He discusses the company’s unique origin story, its struggles and its tangible impact.
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- Energy, Social Enterprise
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Power Play: Can Energy Access Entrepreneurs Survive the Relentless March of Grid Electricity in India?
Despite the dubious claims from the Modi administration that India has electrified every village in the country, the march to extend grid infrastructure continues unabated. So where does that leave energy access enterprises? Ananth Aravamudan, Renewable Energy lead at Villgro, explores how these firms can find creative new ways to stay relevant.
- Categories
- Energy, Social Enterprise
