Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 764 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Cities without sewers

Chelsea Wald

February 28, 2019 |

Rethink |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Haiti, Cap-Haïtien

A nonprofit in Haiti called SOIL with a business arm called EkoLakay is bringing back the old-fashioned idea of a container-based sanitation system. Customers rent toilets with containers in them, use them, and return them to EkoLakay to then be converted into highly nutritious compost. Piloted in 2011, the program has been successful serving more than 1,000 households (growing by 40 every month) with a staff of 58 mostly local workers. They attribute their success to using "applied resilience thinking", having many actors at different levels, and constantly adapting to new solutions and knowledge.

Read More
Go to Original Story
This spice company is building an ethically sourced supply chain

Ben Paynter

February 25, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

A benefit corporation called Burlap & Barrel brings together social enterprise work with quality products through the ethical production and distribution of single-source spices. The founders of Burlap & Barrel learned from previous business attempts and ethical quarrels to form a passion project that focuses on the quality, not quantity, of the spices.

Read More
Go to Original Story
These College Classes Are Going to Work

Kerry Hannon

February 22, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Community colleges, equipped with retrofitted trailers, are offering on-site training to mid- to late-career professionals, providing them with a convenient chance to keep their skills up-to-date in the face of rapidly changing technology. "For adults who are bound by family and life obligations, having access with a mobile lab to learn is critical."

Read More
Go to Original Story
Shipping industry takes a page from bitcoin to clean up its act

Maria Gallucci

February 21, 2019 |

Grist |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

As part of a larger shift toward transparency, the shipping industry is exploring blockchain technology through a collaboration between Blockchain Labs for Open Collaboration and Frontier Sky. Together, they applied blockchain technology – in this case, apps on their smartphones – at every step of the shipping process, to verify the contents, contracts, and delivery of the process. The industry moves around $4 trillion in cargo annually, and in the global shift to decrease emissions, such technology may be a way forward.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How UNICEF sends lifesaving supplies anywhere within 48 hours

Melissa Locker

February 21, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Copenhagen

UNICEF is owner of some of the world's largest humanitarian warehouses, where workers and automated robots work in tandem to ensure that the kits that can help children and families in emergencies are ready to go whenever they are needed. The robots help to pull out supplies and keep track of expiration dates, and UNICEF uses its purchasing power to "push for innovations" that help everyone in their mission.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Gig economy platform Thumbtack is helping its users get benefits

Eillie Anzilotti

February 19, 2019 |

FastCompany |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The National Domestic Workers Alliance created a platform called Alia to deliver job benefits to home cleaners. Now, the NDWA is partnering with Thumbtack, a gig economy platform, in order to deliver this service to thousands more workers around the country. Alia allows employers to pay into a portable benefits fund for each cleaning session, funding paid time off and other job benefits.

Read More
Go to Original Story
EMT will make house calls to help NH drug users find recovery

Shawne K. Wickham

February 19, 2019 |

New Hampshire Union Leader |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, fire departments are implementing a new approach to address the state’s drug crisis that turns stations into “mobile Safe Stations.” While this allows anyone to walk into a fire station to seek help, NH Project FIRST (First Responders Initiating Recovery, Support & Training) also sends teams back to a person's house after the individual has already been treated for an overdose situation in order to offer further resources.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Los Angeles, a Novel Plan to End Congenital Syphilis

Nicole Knight

February 19, 2019 |

California Health Report |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

Reported cases of congenital syphilis have significantly increased in Los Angeles County, but the solution may be in more thorough intake assessments. Similar to the role drug industry representatives play in operation rooms, these reps "encourage doctors to take thorough sexual histories of patients, screen all women of childbearing age for syphilis and retest periodically throughout a pregnancy."

Read More
Go to Original Story
'Choose Purpose': Cities Launch Ad Campaigns to Convince YOU to Work for Them

Graham Vyse

February 13, 2019 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

Denver, Minneapolis, and San Francisco are a few of the cities zeroing in on the millennial desire for purpose in their careers by incorporating purposeful narratives in recruitment. Viewing government more as a brand, the cities use slogans like "Be a part of the city that you love," "Choose purpose," and "Serving community. Building careers" in their advertisements.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Making an App to Make a Difference

Tina Rosenberg

February 12, 2019 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The lack of technology and app solutions for social problems is beginning to change thanks to the help of a growing group of technology accelerators (also called incubators) aimed at tech companies focused on social impact, rather than traditional profit-focused start-ups. Incubators like Blue Ridge Labs, Fast Forward, and Financial Solutions Lab offer capital, connections, and mentorship.

Read More
Go to Original Story