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How Behavioral Science Can Improve Digital Services: Exploring the Impact of an Innovative Accelerator Program on Social Enterprises in Latin America
Though behavioral science is a relatively new field of study in Latin America, it is increasingly being leveraged to address financial inclusion and other needs in the region – and it has particular relevance to social enterprises working in the digital space. Juan Pablo Marichi at New Ventures and Santiago Mesa at Acceso explore how New Ventures' SUMA accelerator program has applied the study of behavioral science to the issues of financial health and inclusion, and share some lessons that participants – including Acceso – have learned in the process.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Technology
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Avoiding the Downside of Instapay: Five Behavioral Science-Based Principles to Make Paycheck-on-Demand Benefit Low-Income Users
There are numerous apps and employers that allow employees to cash out their paychecks on demand, rather than waiting until their usual payday. But while this may seem like a dream come true for people who need quick cash to deal with financial distress, "instapay" also comes with tradeoffs. Analysts at Common Cents Lab discuss these downsides – and some behavioral science-based solutions.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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Post-Pandemic Funding Solutions for Struggling Social Entrepreneurs
Small business owners across the United States are confronting the fact that financial help from the federal government, if it comes at all, may not be enough to weather the COVID-19 crisis. Economic fallout from the pandemic and the specter of a recession pose threats to every entrepreneur, especially to those in the business of creating social impact.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship
- Region
- North America
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Press Release: Vodacom M-Pesa Tanzania Goes Global
Hisham Hendi, Vodacom Tanzania CEO lauds the move as crucial support for the remittance ecosystem. The mobile Money services continues to drive economic growth in Africa.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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Coronavirus May Cost Africa $4.8 Billion in Crop Exports
The coronavirus pandemic could cost Africa as much as $4.8 billion in lost agricultural exports and affect the livelihoods of 10 million farmers, McKinsey & Co. said.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Coronavirus, Finance, Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Formal Insurance for Informal Labor: How Microinsurance Can Cover Young Workers in the Gig Economy
The gig economy is a growing source of employment for youth in emerging markets. But these workers often face a lack of social benefits, including access to insurance – and this vulnerability has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts at MSC discuss some innovative ways insurers can extend some of the formal economy's protections to these informal workers.
- Categories
- Finance
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Preventing Coronavirus in an Age of Distrust: The Importance of Cross-Sector Collaboration
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, public health institutions are playing an essential role in containing the virus. Unfortunately, as Steve Schmida at Resonance points out, trust in large institutions is at an all-time low in many countries – and this is a major impediment to preventing the spread of the virus. He explores how governments can partner with both private enterprises and non-profits to boost public trust and promote efforts to contain coronavirus.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Health Care
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Innovating for Sustainable Data Collection: Generating ‘Gold Standard’ Survey Data – For 75% Less Cost
Traditional face-to-face surveys are regarded as the gold standard in financial inclusion. But sending surveyors out into excluded communities is expensive, and long surveys can result in cognitive fatigue and lower data quality. Grant Robertson at insight2impact (i2i) discusses a more sustainable approach i2i has developed, which uses a mixed-mode data collection strategy and statistical techniques to generate data of equivalent quality, for far less expense.
- Categories
- Finance