NextBillion - A WDI Publication

The Robin Hood Tax: A Small Step for Capitalism, a Big Stride for Development

What connects hunger in Africa, people dying for want of medicines or health care and fast-paced global capitalism? A small tax on financial transactions. A new report about computer-driven high frequency trading (HFT), compiled by supporters of the Robin Hood tax campaign, reveals a niche world of millions of transactions each day. The report highlights how HFT threate...

Source

Guardian.co.uk (link opens in a new window)

Region

Europe & Eurasia

Plan: ?Customized, Long-Term Solutions to End the Cycle of Poverty for Children?

Plan International was selected as a Devex Top 40 Development Innovator based on a poll of thousands of global development professionals who are part of Devex, the largest network of aid and relief workers in the world. Announced on April 18, Devex Top 40 Development Innovators is an impressive listing of the world’s leading donor agencies & foundations, development consulting companies, implementing NGOs, and...

Source

Devex (link opens in a new window)

Looking to Turn a Profit? One Good Cause at a Time

A wave of entrepreneurs are trying to turn a profit by helping good causes find donors to back them. The tool they use is called niche crowd-funding. Entrepreneurs set up websites for very specific types of charitable projects, like supporting small farmers in developing nations or helping victims of natural disasters. People who need backers can put fund-raising pitches on the site-and the entrepreneurs take a cut of whatever money they raise. The sums involved are usually modest...

Source

The Wall Street Journal (link opens in a new window)

Coming Soon: Batteries that Run On (and Clean) Used Toilet Water

Humans should have a little more respect for dirty toilet water. In recent years, wastewater has become something of a commodity, with nuclear plants paying for treated wastewater to run their facilities, cities relying on so-called " toilet to tap ...

Source

Fast Company (link opens in a new window)

Cornell Leads Series on Poverty Traps and Conservation

In rural areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America, poor farmers supplement their livelihoods by hunting and cutting wood, but such practices seriously threaten biodiversity in the developing world. Now, Cornell researchers are leading the way to explore solutions that not only protect biodiversity but also improve the lives of the poor. Chris Barrett, the Stephen B. and Janice G. Ashley Professor of Applied Economics and Management and professor of economics, and Alexander Travis, ...

Source

ECN (link opens in a new window)

Funding Sustainable Agriculture in Latin America

Recently, the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB) through its Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) approved a loan and technical assistance of $4.9 million to Root Capital, a non-profit social investment fund. Root Capital provides finance for cooperatives, producers’ associations, and small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas producing under sustainable agricultural schemes in Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. This project is aimed at providing an innovative financin...

Source

Microfinance Focus (link opens in a new window)

Region

Latin America

Beggars Can Be Choosers

A successful micro finance business model for the poorest of the poor is creating waves in rural Bengal. At 7.30 AM, Bikash Dey Sarkar, an employee of Bandhan Microfinance, is out at work, surrounded by close to 150-odd villagers, watching him scribble a map on the mud floor of a makeshift community centre. Sarkar is not a cartographer but is on an assignment to create a data bank of ultra low net worth individuals in far flung villages. He draws a map of houses, landmarks and roa...

Source

Business Standard (link opens in a new window)

Region

South Asia

8 Startups that are Changing the World

From life-changing technologies that reduce poverty and disease to online volunteerism for busy professionals, the Startups For Good Challenge contestants proved they had more than just a great business idea: They also are working to make a positive impact on the world. We’re thrilled to announce the eight finalists for the Startups For Good Challenge . These finalists ...

Source

Mashable (link opens in a new window)