Here's a story about how members of the Changemakers community are promoting sustainable development in Brazil:
There are countless entrepreneurs around the world with big dreams and few resources. Waldemar Marques Carneiro was one of them. He began selling ice cream and sweets out of a single room in his home in Icapuí, Brazil. Thanks to a local microcredit organization, he now has a spacious shop with tables and chairs for 20 customers.
His store, Encontro de Amigos – "Meeting of Friends" – has become a reality thanks in part to loans and training from Orgape (the Portuguese acronym for "The Organization to Support Small Enterprises").
Read more about this solution, or discuss this topic below.
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san francisco United States
Best idea to spread imaginative creative constructive community developement around the world, not just in developing nations but at home where we have similar social issues and poverty.
great work.
good luck
Created on 05/21/2009 by ArtAidsArt
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideAre you a traveler or a travel company?
Travel company.
Tell us your idea. What makes your idea innovative?
While the demand for socially conscious tourism is growing, existing programs don’t take full advantage of experiences before, during and afterward. Art Aids Art’s sustainable tourism model – Community Activism Travel – is unique in engaging travelers and their home communities from the moment a trip is planned, transforming an individual’s excursion into a shared experience benefiting a network of active learners.
Meet our traveler, Ella. Instead of traveling solo to South Africa, Ella takes her community “with her.” Before departure, Ella reads her assigned learning materials. She shares insights, solicits questions and receives input from her Travel Team, a supportive group of friends, family and local school children (recruited with Art Aids Art’s help).
Once she departs, Ella stays in touch through video blog entries, creating a “virtual travel” experience for the Travel Team. Ella takes part in education and small business projects at Home in the ‘Hood, a thriving community center, working side by side with residents of Khayelitsha, and gaining a deep understanding of their entrepreneurial efforts to alleviate poverty. Returning home, she now acts as a Global Advocate.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat is the likely impact of your idea?
Art Aids Art is transforming travel into a catalytic experience for economic development, community education, and international exchange. Travelers become Global Advocates by engaging deeply with a particular community during their visit and return home as social entrepreneurism ambassadors.
As a Global Advocate, Ella represents Khayelitsha with understanding and vision. She shares her experience with the Travel Team at a homecoming fundraiser party, introducing them to Khayelitsha’s handmade art (shipped by Art Aids Art). The group brainstorms about local venues at which to market the products. Ella visits the school classes that followed her trip and brings letters from their sister school in Khayelitsha. With her return, Ella has generated income for and deepened relationships with the Khayelitsha community, while creating opportunities for ongoing communication and collaboration.
What would it take to launch or spread your idea?
Art Aids Art has been developing Community Activism Travel since 2003, building relationships with schools, collectives and tourism operations. In 2008, after 3 years of fundraising and collaboration, Art Aids Art opened Home in the ‘Hood Community Center in Khayelitsha, the first such American-led project in the Western Cape. Four microbusinesses (Finalists in Intuit’s Small Business Competition), including a tea shop, art boutique, tour service and bed and breakfast, will launch by year’s end.
A multimedia South Africa curriculum is being created for elementary and high schools, to be utilized by Global Advocates. With the exception of a website and second tour van, all elements are in place. Cost: $15,000.
Given demand for responsible tourism, and the relational nature (word of mouth marketing) of the U.S. portion of the program, we plan for sustainability and expansion.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDescribe yourself as a social innovator.
On our last day in South Africa in 2002, my colleague and I met remarkable teachers at a center for malnourished children and, being educators, provided them with literacy training. Inspired by the teachers’ responsiveness, we returned to Khayelitsha township to collaborate further, bringing luggage filled with their requests: children’s books and black dolls.
Upon leaving, our luggage was again full: this time with beaded dolls purchased to support Khayelitsha parents earning a living through beadwork. We hosted a party, selling the dolls and sending profits to secure the artists a workspace -- a shipping container, which they converted into a studio.
Now we travel through our non-profit, Art Aids Art, not only to teach, but to promote economic development. In the U.S., we sell at private homes (no overhead!) and from our website, earning thousands of dollars for Khayelitsha artists.
Created on 05/21/2009 by srains
Discussion on the conscious creation of places, policies, and products in light of the diversity of human abilities such as age, stature, and differences that are often referred to as disabilities.Keywords: Universal Design, Active Aging, Visitability, Development & Disability, Adaptive Technology
Created on 05/20/2009 by geniusidealady
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry your work focuses on:
What stage is your project in?
Idea phase
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
<$50
Name Your Project
Learning Lights: Solar Reading Light
Describe Your Idea
"Learning Lights" is a solar reading light kit put together by children similar to a model building kit. When completed it demonstrates the practical application of solar technology to provide a simple solution. A reading light used for children’s study, women’s handicraft work, adult literacy.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDescribe your idea in fewer than 50 words.
Learning Lights creates solar literacy by equipping people with knowledge, experience, and raw materials to create solar products and solutions to their individual and community power needs. We make solar technology understandable and available to every person, encouraging people to think about solar as a solution to their energy needs.
What makes your idea unique?
Our goal is solar literacy. Learning Lights Workshop and Solar Reading Light kit are designed to foster understanding of solar energy and its use to solve community needs. We put solar components in the hands of students, have them create a reading light, ask them what else they can create, and share their designs. Creating solar learning communities across Kenya and the United States.
Learning Lights Workshop & Kit
• Demonstrates practical application of solar energy
• Build solar reading light
• Fills need for reading light in rural communities
• Promotes Collaborative Science thru website, letter writing, sharing knowledge and design ideas.
The candle effect. One candle in the darkness doesn't give much light; but if each of us is holding a candle we can light up the room. Once taught to make a light, what else can students dream up? Can we use the solar cell to create a radio? What else is needed? As energy demands increase, how do we create a charger for a cell phone? How about when we learn to build a simple solar cell? Imagine a hundred children in a village that know how to make a solar cell, what would their collaboration create?
Teach the fundamentals of solar energy to "everyday" people and provide them with low-cost materials. What practical solutions would they invent? How would they solve their own problems? What would be their priorities? Think about what lower cost micro-computers and internet access, in the hands of children, have yielded in less than a generation in the United States.
What is your area of work? (Please check as many as apply.)
Children & Youth
, Education
, Youth development
, Community development
, Design
, Economic development
, Income generation
, Social Enterprise
, Sustainable development
, Technology
, Environmental justice
, Renewable energy
, Rural
.
What impact have you had?
What we do: create solar energy literacy
In modern times it is understood that everyone should have a basic education; that reading, writing, and math literacy should be a part of every individuals’ basic skill set in order for them to be successful. We contend that energy is a crucial social justice issue. People and countries can empower themselves by having knowledge about energy alternatives. It is our belief that communities that are not already tied to an energy source have a historic opportunity to create their own energy solutions. For communities near the equator harnessing solar energy may allow them energy independence from oil-producing countries or from burning virgin wood for fuel.
Social Justice Implications
• Education – provides light for students to study
• Community - create solar literacy to empower energy choices
• Clean burning – alternatives such as kerosene create health & environmental issues
• Inexpensive – individual solutions provide less costly solar solutions
• Income Options – individuals can add solar energy knowledge to their marketable skills
• Energy Independence – Solar energy usage can decrease dependence upon outside energy sources
We are in the initial phase. The prototype kit has been developed, one workshop taught in Kenya to 30 students, several presentations in United States. Detailed business plan available upon request including Social Return On Investment (SROI) breakdown.
Describe the primary problem(s) that your project is addressing.
Providing reading light to people in rural communities. Create global literacy in solar technologies.
Describe the steps that your organization is taking to make your project successful.
Created prototype Learning Lights Reading Kit
Developed curriculum for workshop
Wrote business plan
Developed website and opened blog
Taught workshop in Kenya, March 2009
Invoked interest in Kenya with University of Mesano, the Jua Kali, KIRDI, and the cities of Kisumu and Mombasa
Give speaking presentations in United States
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Success in Year 1:
Distribute 60 kits in Kenya. Sell 120 kits in United States.
Lower price of kit, refine kit design
Meet with stakeholders in Kenya including members of Kirdi, Jua Kali, work with University of Mesano, cities of Kisumu and Mombasa.
Arrange workshops in United States
Raise money approx $80,000 USD
Update Website
Refine Learning Lights Workshop Curriculum
Success in Year 2:
Distribute additional 60 kits in Kenya. Sell 200 kits in United States
Make alliances with Jua Kali to have kits produced in Kenya.
Work with KIRDI to expand collaborative science program in Kenya.
Increase donor base.
Success in Year 3:
Distribute additional 60 kits in Kenya.
Stabilize donor base
Train teachers in Kenya and United states to lead workshop
Develop online sales for Learning Lights Kits
Do you have a business plan or strategic plan? (yes/no)
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 1:
Refine Prototype
Lower cost of Learning Light kit components. Locate sources, donations, enlist aid of solar technology companies and other stake holders in solar literacy. Get assistance in further testing of prototype.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 2:
Strength Distribution and communication vehicles
Develop stronger web presence, better website, blog and social networking. Strengthen alliances in Kenya with Jua Kali, KIRDI, secondary schools, women’s organizations. Test communication vehicles for collaborative science. Create board of directors. Begin online kit sales.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 3:
Raise money for next phase of growth, workshop and kit development.
Address any new challenges that arise as a result of earlier steps.
Describe the expected results of these actions.
These actions will result in a bringing together a team that committed to creating solar literacy and create a collaborative environment to further develop and distribute solar technology. We want to see solar technology used not just talked about.
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
In March 2006 I was in Kenya with Cultural Reconnections Mission (CRM) and visited an orphanage that the group co-sponsors with Kenyan women. I had been there twice before, each time marveling at what was accomplished with the small amounts of money they jointly raised. The Patron took us inside to show the latest improvements. They were led into a large room, dark even in the daytime and he flipped a switch.
And the light came on. In this part of rural Kenya there is no electricity. This solar powered light would allow over 40 children to study after 6:30pm, sundown in Kenya. Solar installations of this type took a great deal of capital investment. It was worth every shilling. The children spoke to us about how much they enjoyed reading now that there was light. Some of the girls were planning to take exams to go to secondary school – a dream out of reach for most orphans.
The light had come on!
An idea had been brewing in my mind, teach solar energy to children and let them create their own solar reading lights? Surely it would take a smaller capital investment and the education would be invaluable to their future success. I spent more than a year designing Learning Lights solar reading light kit and interactive workshop. The intention is to teach people the principles of solar energy while making a solar reading light. And encourage them to use this knowledge to make other things they need – perhaps a solar cell phone charger? With the support of AAKEWO, the project arm of CRM, I have been able to continue the development Learning Lights. In March 2009 I taught the first Learning Light Workshop in Kenya.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
What we do: create solar energy literacy
In modern times it is understood that everyone should have a basic education; that reading, writing, and math literacy should be a part of every individuals’ basic skill set in order for them to be successful. We contend that energy is a crucial social justice issue. People and countries can empower themselves by having knowledge about energy alternatives. It is our belief that communities that are not already tied to an energy source have a historic opportunity to create their own energy solutions. For communities near the equator harnessing solar energy may allow them energy independence from oil-producing countries or from burning virgin wood for fuel.
A country of solar energy-literate citizens can create solutions to their own power needs by improving products and re-designing solar technologies.
Our goal is to provide the education, training and raw materials to teach solar principles while creating a simple practical solution to a problem – light for reading at night. We challenge our students to immediately customize the design to their individual and community needs.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Dr. Paul McCreary, professor Evergreen College
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat would prevent your project from being a success?
Risks associated with implementing the Learning Lights program including:
Underfunding in Kenya’s educational system. Integration in school curriculum requires adequate educational funding. While the 2003 law that abolished the fee-based school system made education accessible to many more children, class sizes are often large and schools unable to afford more teachers. Teachers may be unwilling or unequipped to teach solar energy in schools. Volunteer teachers from US may help.
Political instability remains a serious issue following the crisis that erupted in Kenya after the presidential election held on December 27, 2007. The government remains divided along party lines on how to improve social services such as education and may be unable or slow to act on changes to curriculum including teaching solar technology in the classroom. Partnerships with Women’s organizations may provide a solution.
Natural events. In addition to political barriers that may exist, natural occurrences such as drought and disease may limit children’s access to education and the benefits of solar light for study. The AIDS crisis has left many children orphaned and obligated to leave school and work to support surviving family members. Droughts and seasonal flooding destroy crops creating food shortages, limited income for parents to support education, and malnutrition for children. Lack of access to safe drinking water creates unsanitary conditions and health problems that keep children out of school.
If yes, provide organization name.
Cultural Reconnection Missions (CRM) and AAKEWO which is the project arm of CRM www.aakewo.com
How long has this organization been operating? (i.e. less than a year; 1-5 years; more than 5 years)
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs? (yes/no)
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses? (yes/no)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDoes your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government? (yes/no)
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
This field has not been completed. (900 characters or less)
How many people will your project serve annually?
Initially 100 Kenyan Students, 200 United States students
What is the total number of employees and total number of volunteers at your organization?
volunteers 1 full time, 4 committed volunteers, 50 casual volunteers
What is your organization's business classification?
Not registered
Have you received funding from any of the following groups? (Please check as many as apply.)
Created on 05/18/2009 by dodesign-s
Website: www.dodesign-s.com.br
Some photos:
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry your work focuses on:
What stage is your project in?
Please select one
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Please select one
Name Your Project
DoDesign-s – design and marketing for rural communities and social projects
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDescribe your idea in fewer than 50 words.
What makes your idea unique?
What is your area of work? (Please check as many as apply.)
What impact have you had?
Describe the primary problem(s) that your project is addressing.
Describe the steps that your organization is taking to make your project successful.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Success in Year 1:
Do you have a business plan or strategic plan? (yes/no)
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 1:
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 2:
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 3:
Describe the expected results of these actions.
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat would prevent your project from being a success?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating? (i.e. less than a year; 1-5 years; more than 5 years)
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs? (yes/no)
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses? (yes/no)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDoes your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government? (yes/no)
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
How many people will your project serve annually?
What is the total number of employees and total number of volunteers at your organization?
What is your organization's business classification?
Please select one
Have you received funding from any of the following groups? (Please check as many as apply.)
Created: 04/21/09 by Anonymous
There are countless entrepreneurs around the world with big dreams and few resources. Waldemar Marques Carneiro was one of them. He began selling ice cream and sweets out of a single room in his home in Icapuí, Brazil. Thanks to a local microcredit organization, he now has a spacious shop with tables and chairs for 20 customers.
Created: 04/17/09 by Anonymous
In Mazunte, a small town on Mexico's Pacific coast, the owners of a cooperatively owned cosmetics company dubbed their brand new factory the "Miracle of Mazunte."
Created: 04/17/09 by Anonymous
Deep in the hills and valleys south of the Himalayas, women are becoming business owners, forming grassroots advocacy campaigns, and organizing movements to promote sustainable agriculture.
Created: 04/16/09 by Anonymous
How would you like to be able to move house -- packing, transportation, cleaning, moving materials removal, and gardening included -- without spending a dollar? If you lived in New South Wales, Australia, you could use shells, issued in points, to pay for everything but the gardening, which you would pay for with time.
Created: 04/16/09 by Anonymous
There is a saying that once Indian land is taken, there is no getting it back. But Carlos Chavez and his work over the last 20 years with the Huichol or Peyote people of Mexico proves it ain't necessarily so.
Competition Status:
Closed
Competition Milestones
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[...]
Created on 04/14/2009 by buildafrica
EQUIP addresses the key issues which stop rural Ugandan schools providing a decent education: poor learning environments, a lack of community participation and low capacity of teachers and managers. EQUIP seeks to promote quality education by empowering parents, communities and school management to sustainably improve the quality of education provided.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry your work focuses on:
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1-5 years
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
<$50
Name Your Project
Education Quality Improvement Programme, (EQUIP), Kenya and Uganda
Describe Your Idea
EQUIP addresses the key issues which stop rural Ugandan schools providing a decent education: poor learning environments, a lack of community participation and low capacity of teachers and managers. EQUIP seeks to promote quality education by empowering parents, communities and school management to sustainably improve the quality of education provided.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDescribe your idea in fewer than 50 words.
We aim to increase the quality of education at 34 Kenyan and Ugandan schools by working in partnership with them to develop their own unique School Development Plan which will form the basis of all future improvements. Build Africa will implement construction work, teacher and School Management Committee training while linking the schools to other organisanisations which will meet other needs.
What makes your idea unique?
The EQUIP project is unique in that it involves everyone who has a stake in the future of the school: all relevant organisations, authorities, local leaders, religious bodies, local NGOs and community based organisations and of course parents, pupils, teachers and the management committees at the school. This approach ensures that everyone is aware of the issues faced by their school, and that together they can generate solutions and ensure that the schools can provide a sustainable, good quality education to all who attend. Many approaches to improving education in Africa simply focus on construction work, teacher training or supplying materials without consulting the local communities and establishing what they feel the key issues and solutions to be. Through this project the community will be fully involved and will take ownership and responsibility for the future of the school.
What is your area of work? (Please check as many as apply.)
Children & Youth
, At risk youth
, Education
, Girls' development
, Community development
, Poverty alleviation
, Rural development
, Rural
, HIV/AIDS
, Sanitation
.
What impact have you had?
Build Africa Uganda has been working with 29 rural Ugandan schools for at least three years. As a result of this work, enrolment at these schools has increased by an average of 71% with 7,309 more children attending. In addition, the total number of children being entered for the Primary Leaving Exams increased by 75%, meaning that many more children now have the opportunity of passing these exams and going onto secondary school. Daily attendance, teaching quality and exam results have also significantly increased, transforming the schools and giving the children a real chance of continuing their education and working their way out of poverty.
Describe the primary problem(s) that your project is addressing.
EQUIP seeks to address the key problems which prevent rural schools offering a decent education:
(i) Poor quality learning environments – a lack of classroom and sanitation facilities
(ii) A lack of community participation
(iii) The inability of teachers and the School Management Committees to effectively run the schools
Describe the steps that your organization is taking to make your project successful.
There are many factors critical to the provision of a quality education and many actors involved in ensuring delivery. The key to success of this project is Build Africa’s role as a facilitator to bring these different actors together, to ensure that they analyse the problems as a whole, and to catalyse change. Success depends upon the willingness of the community, parents and teaching staff to engage in the process willingly and diligently for the betterment of their school. As the facilitator of the process Build Africa must ensure the buy-in of communities in particular to lead the process of identifying the challenges facing the school and linking with others to find appropriate and locally-manageable solutions. We work closely with the teachers, School Management Committee members and parents to ensure that each school understands the process which it will undergo and that each group understands their specific role.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Success in Year 1:
• Community understanding of the role which Build Africa will play in the development of their school
• Community co-operation with an external School Performance Review which will identify the strengths and weaknesses of their school
• Parents, teachers and pupils meet to discuss the results of the Performance Review and develop a three year School Development Plan which will outline the challenges faced by the school and the proposed solutions and targets
Success in Year 2:
• The school community successfully implementing their identified priorities for the school
• The School Management Committee able to monitor the progress of the school against the proposed activities and targets
• Build Africa and other local agencies able to help the school address the issues for which they require additional help, such as construction activities, food security issues and teacher training
• School participation in all training sessions provided by Build Africa and other external agencies, including but not limited to teacher training, School Management Committee training, gender awareness sessions, monitoring training for parents and community awareness sessions on the importance of education
Success in Year 3:
• Continued participation in training sessions
• Parents able to take responsibility for monitoring the progress of the school and holding teachers and the school management to account
• Parents, teachers and school management able to effectively monitor progress against the original School Development Plan
• Build Africa and other local agencies able to help the school address the issues for which they require additional help, such as construction activities, food security issues and teacher training
• Community co-operation with a second external School Performance Review which will identify the strengths and weaknesses of their school
• Preparations for the development of a second School Development Plan to cover the next three years
Do you have a business plan or strategic plan? (yes/no)
Build Africa has a strategic plan in draft form which is currently being reviewed.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 1:
Undertaking of the School Performance Review - A external review which evaluates the current performance and status of the school in order to ensure that the community fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of their school and can use this information whilst developing their School Development Plan.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 2:
Development of School Development Plan - Bringing togther all the stakeholders in the school is essential to ensure that everyone knows what the future plans are and how they will be achieved. This process involves everyone from the pupils to the local community leaders.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 3:
Implementation and monitoring of School Development Plan - The School Development Plan is a vital source for both the community and Build Africa in monitoring the progress at the school. As each plan lasts for three years, it provides an excellent basis against which to measure the acheievements and monitor any challenges.
Describe the expected results of these actions.
The School Performance Review will allow the teachers, parents and pupils at the school to fully understand the issues their school is facing and be able to effectively identify solutions. This is often the initial understanding which many parents have of the state of their children’s school. This will naturally lead to the development of potential solutions which is where the School Development Plan comes in.
As a result of developing the school’s development plan in partnership with the school community, everyone at the school will be fully aware of what the future plan for the school is. This will ensure that appropriate management and responsibility levels can be agreed for each activity. For example, some activities will simply be implemented by the teachers and parents at the school whilst others will need to be implemented by Build Africa or other agencies. This will again ensure that the community is fully informed about all the activities being undertaken at their school and paves the way for when they will be able to take full responsibility for their school.
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Build Africa has been implementing school building activities in Uganda since 2004. Although this has had an incredible impact on the schools involved, it was noted that there was an incredible need for the improvements to be made to the quality of the education provided in order to complement this work. As such, this project was conceived to complement our school building programme.
Information was therefore gathered in order to fully understand the impact which poor teaching, running and maintenance can have on schools. This included the development of a district wide Education Management Information System from which the level of the problem was immediately apparent. For example in the Masindi District, 90% of the schools experience teacher absenteeism, half have problems with poor leadership and 64% suffer from poor record keeping.
From this, the project, and it’s main objectives, listed above, were developed.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
This field has not been completed. (1500 characters or less)
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Via the internet and the Daily Nation newspaper in Kenya.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat would prevent your project from being a success?
The main obstacles to the success of the project include:
- The communities not taking the process on board and not becoming increasingly involved with their school
- Flooding which could delay work at the school, especially construction work
- Limited government resources and vacant positions which would affect their ability to contribute towards the project
- Poor quality contractors
- High inflation in Uganda
- Increased incidences of HIV/AIDS or other diseases in the project area
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating? (i.e. less than a year; 1-5 years; more than 5 years)
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Yes, Build Africa Uganda has its own advisory board.
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs? (yes/no)
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses? (yes/no)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDoes your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government? (yes/no)
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Throughout the project we work in partnership with local government structures and district level staff including the Local Education Authorities and the Ministry of Education. By working in partnership with the government we will ensure that work is not duplicated and that the government fully understands the process which the schools follow and can provide assistance where necessary. The project also complements local and national government strategies.
How many people will your project serve annually?
What is the total number of employees and total number of volunteers at your organization?
23 Uganda staff and several volunteers
What is your organization's business classification?
Non-profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Have you received funding from any of the following groups? (Please check as many as apply.)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
, DFID (United Kingdom)
.
Created on 04/12/2009 by bhinge
Treadle pumps are in use from a very long time, but only in improvised versions.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry your work focuses on:
INDIA
MALAWI
Ethiopia
Zambia
Zimbabwe
What stage is your project in?
Operating for 1-5 years
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
<$50
Name Your Project
Complete Microirrigation package with the Ecoflo foot operated Treadle Pump.
Describe Your Idea
Treadle pumps are in use from a very long time, but only in improvised versions.The Basic Treadle Pump consists of two metal cylinders with pistons that are operated by a natural walking motion on two treadles.The pump's low cost makes it accessible to even very poor farmers who can use it to grow dry-season vegetables for home consumption and for sale. Since 1985, when some NGOs first began promoting the treadle pump in Bangladesh, about two million treadle pumps have been installed worldwide. These are suited for manually irrigating small land holdings of one hectare or less. Treadle pumps has significant advantages over motorized pumps for irrigation of agricultural land of less than one hectare. This is less expensive than motorized pumps. Costs much less to operate, having no fuel and practically no maintenance. Most importantly it can be used in inaccessible and remote places with no electricity, near any water source. With the user's body weight and leg muscles in a comfortable walking motion, the use of the pump can be sustained for extended periods of time without excessive fatigue. The treadle pump is much less tiring than other manual pumps that utilize the upper body and relatively weak arm muscles with much lower discharge. THE ECOFLO PUMP: The Ecoflo pump developed and Patented by Nasik(INDIA) based Bhinge Brothers, follows the same basic principle of the reciprocating suction pump. However the pump manifold and fittings, cylinders and pistons are all made from injection molded engineering durable thermoplastic with close tolerances and with every component designed with ribs and reinforced sections to meet the most stringent conditions of wear and tear. The whole unit including the fabricated structure is portably designed in such a way that it weighs just 12kgs so a person weighing 60 kg should easily carry the unit, then should be able to suck water from upto 7mtrs depth and pump it to a level upto 15mtr. a pressure enough to run a drip /sprinkler irrigation system or to transfer water to long distances upto 500mtrs. The pump has a metal frame structure to support the thermoplastic “Cylinder-Piston manifold block assembly” in the firm position. The hollow steel powder coated frame structure is designed in such a manner that the plastic molded assembly doesn’t require to be bolted or fixed. It is secured perfectly in place protected from mechanical strains. The piston design and the mounting of the rubber gaskets is aimed to get minimum frictional losses.Bhinge Brothers is into manufacturing of the Ecoflo Treale pump and also complete range of microirrigation systems with a special thrust into microirrigation drip kits from 20 to 1000sq mtrs area and micro and minisprinkler kits of 300 sq mtrs area. The minisprinkler kits can be directly run on the ecoflo treadle pump and an area of upto one acre can be irrigated by it on a shiftable basis.Agriculture without irrigation or water is not possible and such complete microirrigation package with the Ecoflo treadle pump can be boon to the marginal farmers across the Globe.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDescribe your idea in fewer than 50 words.
A foot operated treadle pump weighing just about 12 kgs with suction 25ft and delivery head 45ft and capacity of upto 5000ltrs per hr pressure enough to transfer water through pipes to upto 500mtrs and directly operate a drip or mini sprinkler irrigation system .
What makes your idea unique?
This is the only Foot operated treadle pump of its kind that
• Weighs almost half of any other such type . The piston cylinder and the manifold assembly all components are made in tough engg. plastic material.
• Very smooth and efficient in operation . Even priming is not required.
• The frictional resistance is minimal because of closer concentricities/tolerance and the use of special smooth grades of plastic material.
• So easy to operate that even children can operate it playfully and help the family.
• No harmful grease –only coconut oil can be used for lubrication if reqd in extreme conditions. Hence can be used for drinking water too.
• Very easy to maintain.Every component can be replaced very easily whenever required.
• Since the main pump unit is made from thermoplastic, corrosion or rusting or even scaling is ruled out
• Changeable inlet and outlet nipple connectors.
• Special footvalve that will reduce the intake of bottom sludge as well as large suspended matter.
• Directly can run a drip irrigation system of upto 1250sq mtrs or a mini sprinkler system of 300sq mtr. Specially developed Mini sprinkler system as a standard accessory.
• The Piston cylinder and manifold unit can be bulk supplied to local fabricators for mass production of the Treadle pumps in every country to cater huge demands.
What is your area of work? (Please check as many as apply.)
Development & Prosperity
, Food security
, Poverty alleviation
, Rural development
, Sustainable development
, Sustainable agriculture
, Water
.
What impact have you had?
Honorable Ex- President, Govt of India Dr. Abdul Kalam visiting a remote village Vaitagwadi (renamed by him to Ashakiran wadi),Igatpuri, Maharashtra in the year 2005. specially to see the innovative use of complete package consisting of the Ecoflo Treadle Pump for transferring water from a nearby source to the village and then collecting it in a simple pond lined with plastic sheet and then using this water to run a small irrigation system for microirrigate the plantation . 16 months later the same villagers come directly to the factory to purchase the set.
Last year 1500 farmers saved their rice/ paddy fields from drying with the use of 150 Treadle pumps in Chandrapur Dist . of Maharashtra , India . Last month over 450 units have been distributed in the same area.
The related State Govt. departments of Orissa and Gujarat are considering special Govt subsidy/assistance of upto75%cost for the Ecoflo Pump Package.
Promotions by many big NGOs across the world like Syngenta Foundation . Baif Mittra .
Recognition and Awards – Recipient of the most prestigious Innovation for India Award 2008 by Marico foundation in the social sector and the Plasticon Award 2005 by the Plastindia foundation for the excellent and innovative use of plastics in agriculture
Describe the primary problem(s) that your project is addressing.
Agriculture is the backbone or perhaps the only source of livelihood for the rural people . Mostly the people do farming with the primitive methods depending on the natural and seasonal rainfall. They can only grow seasonal crops during the rains for some part of the year. Rest of the year they are helpless and idle which pushes them towards further poverty.Irrigation is the only solution for the upliftment of these marginal farmers so that they can do farming for the maximum period in a year. Rain water can easily be collected and stored in simple reservoirs with specially developed pond liners. This works out at very low cost.Water from nearby natural sources like rivers, lakes, ponds etc can be brought and stored for irrigation by means of the Ecoflo Treadle pump.Microirrigation kits in different types as per the requirements are then used for irrigating the small farms.
Describe the steps that your organization is taking to make your project successful.
The cost of the Ecoflo treadle pump with its accessories though very reasonable priced- but still is not within the reach of the marginal farmer. The marginal farmer who is struggling for livelihood and who does not have any savings cannot afford to buy the set outright.
Bhinge Brothers , has strived to be associated with as many NGOs as possible throughout India and many countries for promoting to the grassroot level and funding the technology. At the government level . application been accepted to the concerned government departments for providing upto 75% subsidy to the farmers for buying the Ecoflo treadle pump with accessories. Estabilishing Marketing associates in every country like – Variety Irrigation Ltd. Malawi for local distribution .
Direct contact and awareness drive through mails to every NGO working in this sector.
Improving manufacturing capabilities.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Success in Year 1:
Getting approvals for Govt subsidy/ assistance in 2 states in India.
Publicity and Recognition thru Awards and association with big organizations like Bill and Milinda gates foundation and Chagemakers.
Increase acceptance by the end users by actual and quantified gains and results.
Distribution of small quantities but in maximum areas across the world directly to local users or NGOs or Govt bodies.
Creation of success models in every area of operation
Success in Year 2:
Getting approvals for Govt subsidy/ assistance in another2 states in India.
Setting up of network of distributors and dealers in all the approved states in India and educating then for repairs and maintenance of the systems.
Setting up of network of associates for stocking and distribution in atleast 3 new countries
Success in Year 3:
Getting approvals for Govt subsidy/ assistance in further states in India.
Promotion of new fabrication. Coating and assembly plants by local entrepreneurs in countries where the demands seen .
Expanding manufacturing capacities in the existing factories in India to cope with the increase demands across India and the World.
Do you have a business plan or strategic plan? (yes/no)
The product is proven and the challenge is to find ways and the means to make it reach the farmer.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 1:
Proper implementation of the concept and the use of the product at the grassroots level with the help of local self help groups and NGOs working closely with the marginal farmers. Show the transformations to the world.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 2:
Creation of funding mechanism for the implementation of the same at the local govt. level or thru International and National level funding Organisations or foundations.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization? STEP 3:
Ensuring optimum use by the farmers from all areas large or small, near or remote for sustainable results anywhere in the world wherever the project has been implemented. Service camps for scheduled maintenance and proper education will be provided with necessary spares for trouble free service and confidence in the initiative.
Describe the expected results of these actions.
The results in terms of demand generation from all areas will be exponential . It will uplift the users immensely.
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Bhinge Brothers has been actively working in the developmental sector for the upliftment of the poor farmers for last 10 years not only in India but across the world in many poor countries. Realising the necessity of the providing simple and low cost ideas for irrigation for poor and marginal farmers , the company was the first to develop a range of small microirrigation kits suitable for irrigating farms from 20sq mtrs to 2000 sq mtrs. The irrigation was done by means of 12/16mm lateral pipes with microtubes fitted into microtees and holding pegs or by means of micro or mini sprinklers.. But all through the initial years of working with the kits for the small farmers it was realized that the simple low cost transportation , storage and pumping the water without the use of electricity was very much necessary for the effective utilization of the microirrigation kits. In operating all these kits the farmer had to put water into the bucket or the drum manually or could use only where gravitational head was available.
The idea of developing such a simple manual pump that would help not only in transportation but also for using the irrigation systems very effectively thus emanated. At the same time we had to ensure that the manual foot operated pump should be light in weight so that the person should be able to carry it anywhere very easily and also should be very efficient and very easy to operate
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Naren Bhinge , age 48 years ,a mechanical engineer and sole proprietor of Bhinge Brothers his first start up manufacturing unit in 1988 with a small tool room and plastic molding machine for developing and manufacturing plastic components. The first break through was in 1991 when he became the sole supplier of all drip irrigation components -drippers, fittings for a large corporation. From 1996 onwards came the association was with IDE (International Development Enterprises. Denver) for development and supply of various types of microirrigation kits for marginal farmers all over the world. Today Bhinge Brothers is manufacturing a complete range of micro irrigation components and systems with adequate capacities. But the thrust has been for the upliftment of the marginal farmer. The development of the Ecoflo treadle pump took two years and another 2-3 years went in its refinement with the feedbacks from actual users and finally with the grant of patent registration – no 210928 dt 3-12-07. The use of the injection molded plastic for the piston , cylinder and the manifold assembly made the Treadle pump unique with all distinct advantages over the existing ones. His company today can boast of being the only such one to have a full fledged tool room for continuous development with a range of plastic injection molding and pipe extrusion machines and a setup for mass production of treadle pumps and micro irrigation systems .
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat would prevent your project from being a success?
.1. If any financial support even by soft loans is not available to the marginal farmers.
.2. If there is no promotion by way of demonstrations publicity at the grass root level.
.3. if there is no proper education for maintenance and handling. Also no after sales service.
.4. If there is insufficient manufacturing capacity to cater to the generated demands.
If yes, provide organization name.
Yes . Bhinge Brothers is an established organization- manufacturing unit.
How long has this organization been operating? (i.e. less than a year; 1-5 years; more than 5 years)
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
It is proprietory company with Mr. Naren Bhinge as its sole propreitor
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs? (yes/no)
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses? (yes/no)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideDoes your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government? (yes/no)
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
How many people will your project serve annually?
• More than 10,000 this is a minimum target.
What is the total number of employees and total number of volunteers at your organization?
About 50 direct employees.
What is your organization's business classification?
For-profit
Have you received funding from any of the following groups? (Please check as many as apply.)
None of the above.
Created: 03/09/09 by Anonymous
Lucky Chhetri came up with a plan to help tourists and improve the lives of Nepalese women at the same time, after hearing numerous stories from female trekkers who'd had uncomfortable -- or worse -- experiences with their male guides.
Competition Status:
Closed
Competition Milestones
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[...]
Created on 08/23/2008 by sunhimalaya
The ecotourism program continues developing a paradigm wherein local villagers actually benefit from having their ancestral lands turned into a wilderness preserve by training local youths in eco-tourism and trekking so that more resources become available to them while wild nature is preserved for posterity.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideProject Street Address
SHA- Arya Samaj Street , A B Kullu-HP (INDIA)
Project City
Sainj, Tirthan , Parvati and Jiwanal Valley - GHNP
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideYear initiative/program began:
If Field of Work is "Other" please define in 1-2 words below (and explain in detail in the entry form):
Service / Activity focus (If "other" please explain in entry form)
Equity Financing
Year organization founded (yyyy)
Which of these barriers is the primary focus of your work?
Lack of skills and incentives to join formal economy
Which of the principles is the primary focus of your work?
Prove that social return doesn’t preclude financial gain
If you believe some other barrier or principle should be included in the mosaic, please describe it and how it would affect the positioning of your initiative in the mosaic
Lack of Marketing Skills
Lack of Government Support
Lack of involving the 100% of community in the ecotourism process due to low demands and less inflow of tourists.
Name Your Project
Hidden Himalayas - Community Based Ecotourism Enterprise through Microcredits
Describe Your Idea
The ecotourism program continues developing a paradigm wherein local villagers actually benefit from having their ancestral lands turned into a wilderness preserve by training local youths in eco-tourism and trekking so that more resources become available to them while wild nature is preserved for posterity.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence?
Finding Alternative Income Generation Methods for the Youth belonging to the ecozone of the Great Himalayan National Park through community based ecotourism Initiatives financed through microcredits.
Describe what makes your idea unique—different from all others in the field.
Public ( Great Himalayan National Park Managment ) - Private ( Sunshine Himalayan Adventures - A private ecotourism enterprise) Community Particpation ( BTCA -NGO) on a shared basis for conservation efforts of a fragile protected area. A complete WIN-WIN for all . This unique example of public-private-community participation can be a role model for implimenting ecotourism as a solution for key problems like unemployment, poverty, illetracy, health and environmental protection.
How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing?
By training local youth belonging to ecozone in tourism related activities and developing entreprenueral skills through shared resources of the entire club or equity amongst the whole team members.
Do you have any existing partnerships, and if so, how did you create them?
The Ecotourism Model in the GHNP represents a good partnership with spelt out objectives. A private tour operation business giving access to the market training the local youths of a community based organization called BTCA who are the service providers with the active support of the Great Himalayan national Park Admnistration. Thus the model shares a public-private-community model.
In which sector do these partners work? (Check all that apply)
Citizen sector (nonprofits, NGOs)
, Private sector
, Public sector (government).
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideProvide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact.
Sustainable Employment Generation leading to Conservation of the Great Himalayan National Park and steady income for people involved in the tourism trade.
Please list any other measures of the impact of your innovation.
The impact of this innovation can be measured from increased wages through ecotourism for the local community ( 20 members) , increased fauna conservation ( in the Great Himalayan national park) and development of small scale entreprenuer initiatives like the Tirthan Trekking Club , Homestays and small ecotourism enterprises.
Does your innovation address and/or change banking regulations?
No banking regulations are changed as banks just act as a means for regulating and accounting the cash flows. The people of the community has started their own saving groups along with basic contributions towards the assests involved in ecotourism. They have devided their savings into consumption loans and production loans which are given for income generation activities in which ecotourism is the most benefecial.
How many people does your innovation serve or plan to serve? Exactly who will benefit from your innovation?
We are directly serving around 120 people who are actively involved in ecotourism directly. But we intend to serve more than 12000 people directly or indirectly once the ecotourism in the area becomes more famous.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelf Financed through micro credit amongst WSCG and Ecotourism Group Savings. Sunshine Himalayan Adventures contributes 15% to the fund from the turnover.
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)?
Self Financed through a) Savings and contributions of the Ecotourism Members b) Earnings from Ecotourism Activities like trekking , nature camps etc c) Through contribution of Sunshine Himalayan Adventures who is a partner in the whole process.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization:
Annual Budget of Ecotourism : Rs 20,00,000
Annual Ravenue generated : Rs 6,00,000
Number of staff : Active ( 20) Indirectly ( porters , hire and fire staff) 100
What are the main financial barriers and how do you plan to address them?
The main financial barrier is cost of investments in the ecotourism activities. We would like to set up one of the first community based campsites of Himachal Pradesh which would provide an authentic community driven experience to the tourists. However the campsite requires a huge investment which would be done through contributions from SAHARA members as well as 1/2 the investment coming through Sunshine ADventures in form of a loan.
Aside from financial sustainability, how do you plan to grow the initiative?
The initiative in the Tirthan Valley is just a role model for several hidden valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Already Sainj, Lug , Banjar and various other valleys of Himachal have started copying the GHNP model and come out with various community driven initiatives in tourism. We plan to grow the initiave by activating all the products we have identified for ecdotourism and by providing direct and indirect employment to the whole community through ecotourism.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat was the motivation or defining moment that led to the creation of this innovation? Tell us the story.
After the formation of GHNP in 2001 , the then Director of GHNP Mr. Sanjeeva Pandey involved my company and myself in training the local people from the Tirthan Valley in ecotourism. This was done through the Govt. PG College at Kullu where i was deputed as lecturer of tours and travels. After doing the training courses we started product development in tghe Tirthan Valley and trained our staff accordingly. My company also signed a memorandum with the NGO "BTCA" which was a community based organization. THus my company and BTCA began to promote tours in the GHNP with objective of creating employment for local people with a broader objective of protecting the environment of the GHNP.
Please provide a personal bio of the social innovator behind this initiative.
For the last 12 years, i have guided and operated Sunshine Himlayan Adventures to be at the forefront of Eco-friendly tours to the Western Himalayas. (www.sunshineadventure.com ) Being a naturalist and guide after receiving a Bachelors Degree in Commerce and a Masters Degree in Tourism from Himachal University. i also holds a Certificate in Environmental Tourism from IGNOU and will soon begin working towards my PhD in eco-tourism. i have worked as an interpretive naturalist for the Great Himalayan National Park and has been involved in community and environmental activism in the Western Himalayas from 1996 to the present. My community based work include using my computer programming expertise to help create the website for the Western Himalayan Mountaineering Institute www.himalayanadventure.org and working with SAHARA (NGO) in creating a staff-training manual for tourism guides as well as increasing the marketing of traditional crafts and tourism products to help improve the livelihoods of the local Kullu Valley people.
a) Please identify the individuals that your innovation benefits (Please check all that apply)
Producers
, Consumers
, Holders of assets.
b) Do you help the people you serve to buy goods or services using financial innovation? If so, how?
Yes the ecotourists buy various handicrafts , organic food products and various soveneigrs which starts off an indirect market of villagers asociated with tourists.
c) Do you help the people you serve to sell goods or services using financial innovation? If so, how?
Yes by developing various women saving credit group we are having a whole supply line of products which includes ecotourism as well. Kindly refer to the movie for the same.
Competition Status:
Closed
Competition Milestones
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[...]
Anna Paula Diniz at Guarani Indians reserve in Sao Paulo, Brazil (team DoDesign-s)
Marcelo Terça-Nada in a small factory of cashew nuts in Ceará, Brazil (team DoDesign-s)
Gabriela Rocha for a photographic documentation in the sertão of Bahia, Brazil (team DoDesign-s)
Labels created by DoDesign-s at the Coopercuc stand - Terra Madre 2008 - Italy
