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Low Tech, High Impact: An Affordable, Hand-Powered Innovation Aims to Boost Food Production in Africa
For many global development players, high-tech innovations are the go-to solution for challenges in emerging markets. But according to Taylor Quinn of JUST, Inc., low-tech approaches can be even smarter. He discusses the promising potential of locally made and hand-powered machines in emerging economy value chains, and explores how JUST is using one such device to improve food security, increase access to quality nutrition and promote entrepreneurship in Liberia.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise, Technology
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Glasses Study Shows Huge Productivity Boost for Workers
A landmark study, published today in The Lancet Global Health, shows how a simple pair of glasses can boost workers’ productivity and reduce poverty.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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Realizing blockchain’s potential for social impact
As is usually the case with disruptive new technology, blockchain comes with a lot of hype. While its best-known application, bitcoin, divides opinion and makes banks and governments nervous, the technology may have great potential to advance social good.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Looking Past the Buzz: Here’s How to Make Blockchain a Pragmatic Force for Good
Blockchain is often associated with extreme wealth and a disregard for environmental realities, such as electricity use. But Will Szal of Regen Network holds a different view: one that sees the technology's potential to offset carbon emissions and transform the lives of the next billion, particularly the one-fourth of the world's population employed in agriculture. He outlines some ways that blockchain could reach its full potential, for the benefit of the environment and the global poor.
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- Agriculture, Environment, Technology
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At the Vatican, a different type of investing conference
There were several more nuns and priests in attendance than at a typical impact investing conference, but the third Vatican Impact Investing Conference, held last week, explored both where the field is headed globally and what role the Roman Catholic Church might have moving forward.
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- Investing
- Region
- Europe & Eurasia
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Report: Innovating our way to a better life
A look at the leaders in global innovation and how gaps in economic and technological capacity is creating inequality.
- Categories
- Technology
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Press release: Solar brings economic boost to East African households
The report, ‘Powering Opportunity: The Economic Impact of Off-grid Solar’ provides data demonstrating the economic benefits of off-grid solar power in the developing world. The findings show that nearly 60% of off-grid solar owners undertake more work and enterprise within just three months of using a solar home system.
- Source
- Press release
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Home Solar + Microfinance: Mitigating Risks and Maximizing Rewards
The social impact of home solar systems in off-grid villages has shown itself to be broader than initially thought. But while social enterprises continue to roll out new forms of solar, financing their purchase can put these innovations out of reach for the low-income households that need them most. Mark Roesink of Oikocredit shares how weaving responsible microlending into the solar industry could generate greater impact for energy access in emerging markets like India and Kenya.
- Categories
- Energy, Social Enterprise