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Social Innovators Seek to Balance Economic Sustainability and Impact
Bridging the digital-divide in India has long been a cherished dream. While much is yet to happen, IT industry body Nasscom has taken initial steps to identify business models that can change the access of technology at the bottom of the pyramid.This year too, Nasscom presented awards to six businesses that are trying to bring social innovation. The awards showcase the impact and learnings from the ideas of winners that have gained shape, acceptance and success.
- Categories
- Education, Health Care, Impact Assessment
- Region
- South Asia
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Truly Local Power: African Wind Turbines Built From Scrap
Wind power isn’t used much in the developing world, since a turbine is much more expensive than a solar panel. But Access:energy is flipping that equation by finding ways to build the turbines in the communities where they’re needed.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Brac Programme Lifting ‘Ultra-poor’ Out of Poverty in Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee is helping communities escape extreme poverty by providing individuals with livestock and a monthly payment for two years
- Categories
- Education
- Region
- South Asia
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Students Learn a Trade in Afghanistan Hotspot
Mercy Corps is working in southern Afghanistan to connect craftsmen with their countrymen and women so they can make a living and better their lives.
- Categories
- Education, Impact Assessment
- Region
- South Asia
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Mixing Oil and Water in SME Development
Like oil and water, many would argue major energy companies don’t mix with advancing social impact. However, in an industry better known for oil spills and fat profits, the Shell Foundation is shattering stereotypes by providing financing for energy and infrastructure organizations too small for commercial funding and too large for microfinance.
- Categories
- Education, Impact Assessment
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Milaap Providing Vocational Training to Rural Students Via Microlending
It’s estimated that about 423 million of India’s working-age population will be unemployed or unable to participate in the job market by 2030. Milaap, a microlender and microfranchising hub, has partnered with with GRAVITY to enable anyone to lend money to help students get vocational training through Milaap’s online platform.
- Categories
- Education
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Making Education Relevant Where You Least Expect It
I recently visited a school in Maharashtra with rural education social enterprise Lend-A-Hand India. The principal says the Introduction to Basic Technology program implemented there has yielded phenomenal results: "When we find these kids, they don’t even have clothes on their back. Now, they are thinking about starting their own businesses."
- Categories
- Education
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Guest Post: Why My Classroom is a Startup
I have always dreamt of starting my own chain of low cost affordable schools.That dream motivated me to join the Teach For India Fellowship. My small classroom was without the basic necessities. So my 27 students and I are learning the basics of sustainable business. For me, the students are not only the product, but also the customer.
- Categories
- Education
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