Here's a story about how members of the Changemakers community are conserving the ecosystem in India:
In the state of Assam in northeast India, the youngest of citizens are leading the charge to protect among the oldest of resources: the region's endangered forests.
Read more about this solution, or discuss this topic below.
Created on 06/9/2009 by htcgroup
Join the Geotourism Challenge Changemakers group to share ideas and opinions about issues impacting destination stewardship and wisely managed tourism.
Hear about best practices, identify solutions to key challenges, and link to resources that may help you overcome obstacles and succeed as a changemaker in geotourism. Each week will focus on a specific issue; join the dialogue now and tell your story.
Natural ecosystems ensure that vital nutrients flow from soils to food to people. Thriving ecosystems are the bedrock of healthy nutrient chains, the basis of all life on the planet.
So what’s the issue?
Created on 06/19/2013 by Suprio Guntoro
Techno-Eco Agriculture is a model combining ecosystem bearing capacity and high-technology. Focusing on local resources, this agriculture model will create a closed cycle, thus minimizing external input and creating farmers’ independence.
Organization: Balai Pengkajian Teknologi Pertanian Bali
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Balai Pengkajian Teknologi Pertanian Bali
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Government
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
Exceptional Innovator of Agro Innovation (2011)
Best head of PRIMATANI agribusiness laboratory (2007)
Researcher Achiever Award (2004)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideStage
Growth (the pilot has already launched and is starting to expand)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
Techno-Eco Agriculture is a model combining ecosystem bearing capacity and high-technology. Focusing on local resources, this agriculture model will create a closed cycle, thus minimizing external input and creating farmers’ independence.
Problem
a. decrease of farmers’ income due to the fall of plantation commodity price. This leads farmers to environmental destruction (e.g. forest conversion or shifting from trees into short-lived crops) in the highland areas
b. environmental degradation, particularly in term of soil fertility and water source, due to erosion and landslide. This is a result from shifting of hidroorologic trees into short-lived crops, as the price of coffee, clove, and cacao declined. Soil fertility is also destroyed due to excessive chemicals. In the long run, this will cause flooding and drought on the lowland.
c. Increase of farmers’ dependence on “external input” such as fertilizer, cattle feed, pesticide, etc. resulting in lower margin and sustainability
d. high risk of farming when relying only on one commodity
Solution
a. Integrating livestock farming to plantation, where cattle will get feeding from industrial vegetation and its side products, while the excreta would become fertilizer. This creates additional income from livestock and conserves hidroorologic trees vegetation.
b. introducing new processing technology for plantation commodity (coffee, cacao) to increase value and optimize the use of all parts (zero waste)
c. introducing new processing technology for agriculture waste from both plantation and livestock, to increase feed and fertilizer quality, thus increasing farmers’ independence
d. developing shrub patches in between the main vegetation (e.g. salak fruit), biopharmaca (e.g. ginger, kencur) to increase farmers’ income
Example
We’re using participatory approach. Community group discussions were held to identify their problems, resources, and dream. After creating the problem inventory, we explore the alternative solution and their commitment to safeguard the process. Usually this commitment requires assistance and guidance.
At first the activity is organized on small scale. To increase impact we invite government officials, business sector, and mass media for greater exposure.
Aside from motivating the community through meetings and media exposure, trainings are also organized to build farmers capacity. Training is provided for pioneer farmers, who will further spread their knowledge to others.
Currently almost all households in our villages have integrated livestock farming to coffee and cacao planting. Each household has on average 8-12 goats. Additional income from the livestock has motivated them to keep the existing coffee and cacao trees, thus flooding and landslide risk is minimized.Cattle dung is used as fertilizer, minimizing chemical fertilizer to almost none.
Food processing industries have also grown, e.g. ground coffee, goat milk ice cream, milk soap, yoghurt. So does waste processing,thus increasing job opportunity.
Impact
a. farmers’ annual income has increased from 4 million (2004) to more than 20 million.
b. This idea has been adopted by surrounding villages in Busungbiu sub-district, e.g. Sepang Kelod, Tista, Bongancina, Titab. In year 2009 Bali municipal replicated this model in 9 locations, projected to reach 400 locations in 2013. Since 2013 I also assisted 3 farmer groups in desa Titab (Buleleng), desa Bukti (Buleleng), and desa Padangan (Tabanan).
If the policy remain supportive, within the next 5 years there will be 800 units of farmer groups implementing techno-eco agriculture with various commodity.
Marketplace
The main difference of my approach is:
a. Participatory approach, in which farmers do the problem identification and are involved in planning the solution. This effort also involves stakeholders across sectors, aligned with the nature of integrated agriculture which involves various commodity.
b. The use of technology as both market (economic) instrument as well as conservation (ecological) instrument.
c. orientation on production cycle and local resources optimization, using environmentally friendly technology
Sustainability Plan
At first this activity is funded by Agriculture Research and Development Agency through PRIMATANI (Pilot on acceleration of agriculture technology and innovation marketing) program. Following success in 2 villages, supports came from provincial and district government, and government offices.
However, most farmers have developed self reliance to sustain. Potential funding source can be developed from business, e.g. agro tourism, training
Founding Story
At first I was hesitant about the prospect of this farming model, since its application requires more time and work. However my concern grew as I saw these issues:
1) agriculture land ownership in Bali, Java, and other areas. The size of planting ground has become ever smaller, making it impossible to gain profit with conventional farming model.
2) the high rate of urbanization and environmental destruction, indicating that conventional farming cannot provide the decent income to survive today’s lifestyle. More and more youth are turning away from agriculture sector as it’s considered not promising in terms of ensuring welfare.
3) farmers’ dependence on external input is ever higher, making it difficult for conventional farming model to advance
My turning point in realizing this idea is in year 2005, when I was appointed as leader of PRIMATANI program, which lead to an audience in front of Governor of Bali. Fortunately my idea was positively responded and replicated.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Nutrient-rich farming.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
The first green revolution has succeeded in increasing productivity, at the price of environmental degradation due to inorganic chemicals in fertilizer and pesticide. Farmers are also much dependent on big companies in their operation (buying fertilizer, feed, etc) thus minimizing their margin.
In tehno-eco agriculture model, productivity is increased in ecological concept. By integrating vegetation and livestock farming, we’re creating a closed loop of nutrient cycle – cattle dung becomes fertilizer, vegetation remains become cattle feed. Technology is used to optimize quality of the product
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
create an agrocultural farm and sheepfold. we want to start a smal scale dairyfarm to produce milk an chesse. The idea is to start a foodproduction thats good clean and fair to nature and the consumers.
Created on 06/19/2013 by rzedeck
Model of rural, franchise distribution supporting smallholder farmers with 2-5 acres of land with access to packages of "green" farming inputs, training and links to affordable finance.
Organization: Backpack Farm Agriculture Program
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Backpack Farm Agriculture Program
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
For‐profit
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
2010 UNEP SEED Award
2010 Cordes Fellowship
2011 Global Hero
2012 GSBI Social Enterprise Fellowship (Santa Clara University)
2013 KATERVA Award (Sustainable Design)
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Backpack Farm Agriulture Program
Stage
Established (the solution has passed the previous stages, and has demonstrated success)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
Model of rural, franchise distribution supporting smallholder farmers with 2-5 acres of land with access to packages of "green" farming inputs, training and links to affordable finance.
Problem
Smallholder farmers only produce 15-20% of their lands capability while losing upwards of 60% of their crops in post-harvest losses. the international community is agreed that farmers need better access to high quality farming inputs like seed and drip irrigation, training and affordable credit.
Solution
Provide smallholder farmers local access to high quality farming inputs like seed and drip irrigation, training and affordable credit through a distribution center which also acts as a demonstration farm for the crops most popular in a specific regions supporting local, regional and export crops.
Example
Mary is a smallholder farmer in Nyeria on approximately 2.5 acres of land. She was growing a mix of crops including coffee and maize. Instead of earning profits, she was repeating the cycle of planting rain-red crops that produced little income while reducing her soil's fertility.
Impact
After training with us and implementing both better quality seed and drip irrigation, she improved the yield on her land by more than 120% in less than two (2) growing seasons. Through cost-effective training classes each costing less than $0.20 each, she learned about how to grow better crops increasing her income and soil fertility ensuring the land's viability for generations to come. More than just product, Mary has increased her own knowledge and capacity within her community.
Marketplace
In Kenya, 76% of the local population is employed in agriculture; more than 27 million people. There are a variety of non-profit and local organizations trying to support smallholder farmers. These include organizations like One Acre fund, who focus exclusively on maize (corn) production and farmers on approximately 0.57 acres of land and living almost exclusively in semi arid regions. Our program focuses on farmers with the capability to support semi-commercial production with the ability to have an economic "trickle up and down" into their local communities.
Sustainability Plan
Our strategy is not capital intensive but is driven by the motivation of a specific community. Our growth model is built around our franchise program. By 2017, our goal is to build 100 franchise farmers. With only 16% adoption, we are capable of training and supplying more than 1 million smallholder farmers.
Founding Story
In 2006, I was standing on a runway in South Sudan watching a delivery of food aid. I stood and watched hundreds of women come out of the bush to collect a 50 KG bag of dried food. eventually one woman walked up to me to hand me her child, who had died from malnutrition and dehydration. After several months of research, I learned that only 1.7% of all international food aid meets a nutritional requirement and that we waste more than 40% of our domestic food production in both East Africa and America. Smallholder farmers are not only the world's largest untapped economic resource but they produce enough calories to end global hunger. To feed the world, we must start to invest into farming.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Nutrient-rich farming, Full nourishment foods.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
We already offer training in capacity building farming. Ideally, we would create a program allowing farmers to graduate and see the bigger picture of creating and living in harmony with their local environment by not polluting their land, water or bodies with chemicals.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Created on 06/19/2013 by makhan09
InsPIRE began an enterprise based conservation program for Rhododendrons in village Sakpret, Tawang district. The success of the program is highlighted by how the community is practicing sustainable utilization of Natural Resources for deriving economic benefits and conservation of resources.
Organization: InsPIRE Network for Environment
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InsPIRE Network for Environment
Country where this project is creating social impact
India, AR, Tawang District
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
Whitley Fund for Nature in support of InsPIRE's work entitled : Developing an Action Plan for conservation of Rhododendrons in Eastern Himalayas. The Whitley Fund for Nature is a UK registered charity which offers a range of awards and grants to outstanding conservation leaders around the world.
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Community Enterprise Based Conservation of Rhododendrons
Stage
Scaling (the solution has passed the previous stages, and the next step will be growing its impact on a regional or global scale)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
InsPIRE began an enterprise based conservation program for Rhododendrons in village Sakpret, Tawang district. The success of the program is highlighted by how the community is practicing sustainable utilization of Natural Resources for deriving economic benefits and conservation of resources.
Problem
Arunachal harbors 61 of the 90 Rhododendron species in India, of which 43 are categorized as Rare, Threatened and Endangered by the Botanical Survey of India. This is due to extraction of Rhododendrons for fuel wood, un-coordinated development activities, shifting cultivation, natural calamities. With forest cover solely owned by the local communities, its conservation was further challenged unless communities see tangible economic benefits.
Solution
The project aimed to link enterprise development with conservation of Rhododendron. A processing center where in the local community prepared Rhododendron squash was set up in the arboretum. Initial support was availed from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for setting arboretum in Western Arunachal Pradesh. The local community, trained by expert trainers, managed the processing center on a Build, Operate and Transfer model. This enterprise diversified the livelihood of the local community and provided them economic benefits for conserving Rhododendron. The enterprise indeed changed the mindset of the villagers. Rhododendron was no longer treated as a fuel wood tree, but a health drink providing economic benefits.
Example
The project achieved the dual objectives of conservation of Rhododendrons and enhancement of livelihood of the local community. The construction resulted in the community getting a benefit of Rs 120000/- apart from a profit of Rs 40000/- from the sales from the first year itself.
The community has been trained to extract only 30 percent of the flowers, harvesting sustainably. The community demarcated 8 hectares of dense Rhododendron forest as an arboretum and has passed a village resolution of not allowing any anthropogenic activities in the arboretum. This area has been declared as a sacred groove, locally known as ‘nge’. This is the first time in the history of the state that the local community declared a new sacred grove.
Impact
The project demonstrated a successful and sustainable livelihood improvement of the communities in the village. It provides economic benefit of Rs. 135128 to the villagers during the Rhododendron season, which works out to Rs. 3556 per family. It has also led to development of technical and marketing skills of the community. The community has been trained in different aspects of food processing, maintaining hygiene and operating some of the basic machineries like refractometer. Community is also trained in marketing of the product (Rhododendron squash) both through the dealer based marketing network and direct marketing.
The project is now aiming for diversification and escalation. A detailed proposal has been developed for producing 20 herbal products using Rhododendron water extracts and dry petals, which has already been submitted to the Department of Science and Technology, GoI.
Marketplace
While there may be a number of research projects being carried out on conservation of Rhododendrons in the Himalayan states, this particular project is first of its kind ‘enterprise based conservation program’ with the involvement of the local communities. The concept of the project is based on the BOT (Built, Operate and Transfer) model providing sustainability for escalation of the project. The project initiated a local level sacred grove movement, which has the potential to be replicated to the neighboring villages as well so that the biodiversity in the overall area is conserved.
Sustainability Plan
Production of Rhododendron Squash has generated a total benefit of INR 102,950 from sales. The sales return help them in investing in future rounds of production of squashes, making it a sustainable enterprise. Further, being a community enterprise, its model is sustained as the members are trained in managing the arboretum and complemented with development of technical and marketing skills.
Founding Story
The Biodiversity conservation team of Inspire has been working in Arunachal for almost a decade. Team members Monalisa Sen and KM Jayahari being especially close to the biodiversity of the state, realized the degradation level of Rhododendrons. This was especially a cause of concern as Arunachal harbors 61 species of the 90 species found in India. Faced with the challenge of conserving the Rhododendron Arboreum in the light of its massive usage as fuel wood in a landscape with a forest cover solely owned by the local communities, Mona and Hari ideated the conservation by tangible economic returns to the community for protecting their forests. This was facilitated by their ground level understanding of the needs of the local population.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Healthy environments., Human wellness and vitality.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
The project is now aiming for diversification and escalation. We have already initiated discussion with different food processing and herbal medicine producing agencies that are interested in developing products using the water extract of Rhododendron. A detailed proposal has been developed for producing 20 herbal products using Rhododendron water extracts and dry petals, which has already been submitted to the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. Discussions with other food processing companies and herbal medicine producers are also in a fairly advanced stage.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
InsPIRE began an enterprise based conservation program for Rhododendrons in village Sakpret, Tawang district. The success of the program is highlighted by how the community is practicing sustainable utilization of Natural Resources for deriving economic benefits and conservation of resources.
Ensure and enhance sustainable livelihoods of small farming communities by promoting farmers Rights to seeds and biodiversity conservation
Specific objectives:
- Create a replicable model plan of economic and ecological security of marginalized communities
- Preserve Biodiversity and traditional seeds
- Empowerment and awareness raising of marginalized communities
Through: trainings on innovative locally adapted organic farming techniques and installation of local infrastructures for Biodiversity conservation, food transformation, F.trade
Created on 06/18/2013 by kamuthini
Building Resilient Communities through Nutrition Sensitive Approaches :-it sounds daunting but this is really quite simple. By providing relief that incorporates long-term nutritional assistance, we can reduce vulnerability to malnutrition that often keeps communities in the grip of poverty.
Organization: Church World Serrvice -Africa
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Church World Serrvice -Africa
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
CWS has received awards elsewhere in the world but is yet to receive one in Africa .
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Building Nutrition Sensitive Communities
Stage
Growth (the pilot has already launched and is starting to expand)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
Building Resilient Communities through Nutrition Sensitive Approaches :-it sounds daunting but this is really quite simple. By providing relief that incorporates long-term nutritional assistance, we can reduce vulnerability to malnutrition that often keeps communities in the grip of poverty.
Problem
A majority of the rural communities living in Arid and Semi Arid parts of Eastern Africa region experience a recurring cycle of droughts.Over the years, the droughts have eroded many communities' traditional resilience and ability to cope. This situation is sometimes extremely desperate , such that drought -affected communities find themselves in the next drought episode before they have fully recovered from the most recent one.
Solution
In its response to the needs of drought affected communities in Mwingi , Kenya in 2010, Church World Service provided immediate food relief to affected families, while at the same time implementing long- term strategies through nutrition programs to help build resilience to future droughts. The CWS response included supply of relief food, a micro-nutrient supplement for children, construction of low-cost water supplies for domestic use and community greenhouse farming. The proceeds from greenhouse farms are used in part to build up a community emergency contingency fund to cushion each community from future drought crises .
Example
Construction of low cost water harvesting structures to provide water for domestic use and green house farming(GHF). The GHF is helping the local community to grow nutritious vegetables and high value crops (like tomatoes, kale, capsicum etc) throughout the year unlike rain fed farming which has become unpredictable due to weather variability.This initiative is providing nutritious food for household use and additional income. The community is saving the income to build a community emergency contingency fund that will make them first responders for emergency needs of their vulnerable members in future disasters hazards like drought . Under five age children are also provided with Micro-nutrient powder supplements.
Impact
The current running project has showed impact on food security and water availability at house hold level. Last dry season in 2012, women did not have to walk 15km away(like they used to do before) to fetch water - because the constructed rock water catchments and storage tanks are able to store enough water until the next rainy season. CWS is also providing MNP supplements through the Ministry of Health to targeted under five children in 23 outpost health facilities in the district. The Greenhouse project is supplying the local market with fresh vegetables and the demand keeps increasing every day. It is envisaged that, this will reduce the child malnutrition by improving dietary intake and caring practices of infant and young children to complement the MNPs which have shown great impact on the reduction of anemia amongst children in Mwingi district.
Marketplace
CWS has been identified as one of Government of Kenya(GOK) Ministry of Health(MOH) partners in nutrition, in particular for multiple micro-nutrient powder supplementation. Together with other organizations and UN agencies, CWS supports GOK MOPHS in the scaling up of GOK MNP supplementation program. CWS is figuring out on sustainable long term solutions through Nutrition sensitive approaches and interventions that address the determinants of malnutrition and their underlying causes in order to minimize the reactive nature of responding to the problems caused by malnutrition itself.
Sustainability Plan
The community contingency funds saving. This community group has agreed to put some profits from selling the harvest from the greenhouses to a saving account. At this point, some of the crops have started to fruit and the harvesting cycle started. In one month , they have saved about $1400 in the contingency saving account. mothers are also doing kitchen vegetable gardens to ensure a sustainable supply of green vegetables for their families.
Founding Story
CWS started supporting this community through a water project and worked with them to build a rock catchment to harvest rainwater, water storage reservoirs and communal water distribution kiosks. CWS further supported the community to start a Greenhouse (GH) farm and equipped them with skills on environmental-friendly agriculture. This community established a saving account that saves some of the profits from the GH harvest to build up an emergency contingency fund,so that whenever drought crisis hits the area , the local communities could be the first responders. The GH farms are also used by a local school as a teaching media. The agriculture teacher supports this community group on different aspect of GH farming.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Healthy environments., Nutrient-rich farming, Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments, Nutrient-rich farming, Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
Scaling up of similar water harvesting structures would provide other villages in Mwingi with opportunity to adapt to GH farming and be able to produce food throughout the year –effectively enhancing the availabilityof nutritious food at household level in the district. Mwingi is an arid zone and local youth cannot engage in agriculture and their main source of livelihood is charcoal burning which has an adverse effect on the environment. CWS is interested in diversifying sources of livelihood for this youth to ensure a sustainable environment and a future nutrition secure society
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Created on 06/17/2013 by Imon Ghosh
As farmlands shrink, and food prices rise, how do we meet the nutrition needs of a rapidly growing population? I propose sky-scraping greenhouses, 'green cupboards' and 'stackable green shelves' for the year-round cultivation of healthy food crops ... as well as tissue cultures of meat and fish.
Organization: Academy of Human Resources Development
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Academy of Human Resources Development
Country where this project is creating social impact
n/a
Is your organization a
Hybrid
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideName your entry
Sky-scraping Green Houses, Hydroponic Cupboards and Shelves
Stage
Idea (poised to launch)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
As farmlands shrink, and food prices rise, how do we meet the nutrition needs of a rapidly growing population? I propose sky-scraping greenhouses, 'green cupboards' and 'stackable green shelves' for the year-round cultivation of healthy food crops ... as well as tissue cultures of meat and fish.
Problem
As farmlands shrink, bio-fuels cultivation compete with food-crops, and food prices rise, how do we meet the nutrition needs of a rapidly growing population? This is a challenge today, in terrestrial conditions, that will continue to grow in future, in both terrestrial as well as 'space colony' / extra-terrestrial conditions, following the technological vectors that humanity is likely to pursue in the coming decades and centuries ...
Solution
One innovative solution is sky-scraping greenhouses that utilize hydroponics for the year-round cultivation of healthy food crops (as well as tissue cultures, for slaughter-free meat and fish) in controlled conditions that preclude the use of pesticides since pests will not have access, unlike in open fields.
A lower-cost version of sky-scraping greenhouses (which admittedly sounds expensive!) are a concept I call 'green cupboards' or even stackable 'green shelves' that provide all the functionality of an efficient healthy food production unit, but are inexpensive enough (and aesthetic enough) to be kept in individual homes, and even cheap enough to be sold to slum dwellers.
Example
With the growing urban sprawl, and shrinking farmlands, ensuring nutrients for all had been a growing challenge. Rising food prices and declining nutrient quality (due to the widespread use of pesticides etc) had precipitated a health crisis.
Sky-Scraping Greenhouses, 'Green Cupboards' and stackable 'Green Shelves' helped meet the nutrient needs of all! While skyscraping greenhouses are capital intensive, green cupboards and stackable green shelves are aesthetic enough to be kept in individual homes, and inexpensive enough to be sold to slum dwellers!
A growing pesticide-free supply of varied fruits, vegetables and crops, and tissue-cultured meat and fish, has helped to feed a growing population, both on earth as well as in space.
Impact
According to the United Nations Population Fund, the world population reached the 7 billion mark on October 31, 2011. Wikipedia notes that current UN projections show a continued increase in population in the near future (but a steady decline in the population growth rate), with the global population expected to reach between 8.3 and 10.9 billion by 2050. Longer-term estimates by the United Nations Population Division range between 3.2 and 24.8 billion by 2150.
Whether food supply can keep pace with an expanding human population is an old question. In 1798, Thomas R. Malthus predicted that population growth would outstrip food supply, causing great human suffering. Of the world's total land area of 150 million km2 (16 X the area of the US), much is not suitable for agriculture. (Source: http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/)
Can technological innovations extend malthusian limits?
Marketplace
Urban Farms appear to come closest to this idea, but focus on distribution and the creation of urban food chains to collect the produce of kitchen gardens, 'terrace farms' (an intermediate concept) etc.
Skyscraping greenhouses, green cupboards and stackable green shelves that leverage the latest emerging technologies including hydroponics and tissue-culture of meat and fish, address supply side issues.
Both production and distribution are needed to ensure Nutrients for All!
Sustainability Plan
It would be easy to grow a strong revenue model for this idea, since people have to eat and food prices globally are rising.
While skyscraping greenhouses are capital intensive, green cupboards and stackable green shelves are far less so, and are intended to be affordable accessories for the modern kitchen garden ... high-rise or otherwise!
Founding Story
The 'Aha!' moment for this idea occured during a Twitter conference that I was invited to be a part of recently. It sounded crazy, yet plausible, and I decided to plant the seed of the idea in what I hoped would be fertile soil ...
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Healthy environments., Nutrient-rich farming, Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments, Nutrient-rich farming, Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
While the idea is innovative, and has the potential to contribute substantially to the mission of providing Nutrients for All, running a successful pilot project would be the next step in growing this idea and helping it yield benefits.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
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Created on 06/17/2013 by Leslie Lee
The People's Kitchen is a chef-led community food waste initiative. Each Sunday, volunteers pick up wonky fruit and veg from local shopkeepers. With the help of volunteer chefs and 'cooks', this food is prepped and cooked into a dazzling array of delicious dishes for a weekly, alternative Sun dinner
Organization: The People's Kitchen
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
The People's Kitchen were semi-finalists for a Nesta Challenge Prize in Waste, 2012.
However, our branch The People's Kitchen Brixton won this £10K prize.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideStage
Growth (the pilot has already launched and is starting to expand)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
The People's Kitchen is a chef-led community food waste initiative. Each Sunday, volunteers pick up wonky fruit and veg from local shopkeepers. With the help of volunteer chefs and 'cooks', this food is prepped and cooked into a dazzling array of delicious dishes for a weekly, alternative Sun dinner
Problem
Food waste is a serious problem in the UK. While there have been some good ideas – abolishing ‘sell by’ dates, creating compost sites and redesigning packaging – we still have a long way to go.
Supermarkets would rather bin their excess food than give it away. Currently, anyone caught taking such food surplus from supermarket bins may be charged with the crime of ‘theft by taking’ – which carries a sentence of seven years.
Solution
Each Sunday, The People's Kitchen would provide a healthy, nutritious vegetarian banquet at low cost (£3) to the local community in Dalston, London. It would not only provide diners of all ages/backgrounds with a healthy meal, but it would give them a chance to meet their neighbours and learn valuable cooking skills. This project is also designed to raise awareness about food waste and teach consumers how to save money by shopping/cooking more wisely. The People's Kitchen already has branches in Brixton and Finsbury Park, but we would like to bring more Kitchens to other parts of the country - and the world!
Example
On any average Sunday, we get about 60kgs of donated fruit and vegetables. This is then cooked into a banquet that feeds an average of 45 people. We have become a weekly community staple, with locals and volunteers returning each week to eat/cook with us. We have volunteers who suffer from mental health issues or disability, who say that volunteering has made them feel less isolated. For newly-arrived students to the UK, we are a community that they can join and learn from. Currently, we have 6 local shops who donate food waste to us. They have come over for dinner and they are so delighted that more are asking if they can donate too. For them, we provide a low-cost, green waste disposal system that allows them to give back to the community
Impact
The People's Kitchen saves 65kgs of food each Sunday, and feeds a minimum of 40+ people. We operate 48 weeks each year, thus saving nearly 3,500 kgs of food that would otherwise be thrown away. Far better that we feed hungry people with it! Also, we have been cooking at outdoor festivals such as Feeding 5K, Cloud Cuckoo Land and Latitude (TBC) - serving up to 1K meals a day. This means a lot less food in landfill, healthier and happier community members, greater local cooperation and better awareness of food waste and global hunger.
Marketplace
Our friends at Feeding 5K and FoodCycle also provide meals from surplus food. However, our emphasis is on community growth and we do not believe in targeting specific groups (homeless, single parents, disabled, etc.) since we all create food waste and need to take responsibility for it. Also, food waste is good enough for all to eat. This project is a weekly banquet (Feeding 5K is a countrywide event that happens occasionally) and FoodCycle works with larger business donors. As we are about the community, we work with local shopkeepers to encourage people to shop locally.
Sustainability Plan
We have been holding fundraising dinners (from food waste) called Beggar's Banquets and applying for small funding grants of £1K+. We also rely on donations, although our aim is to apply for larger grants of £5K+
Founding Story
Steve Wilson is a young chef who founded The People's Kitchen in 2010 after seeing the vast amount of food that is wasted in restaurant kitchens. He wanted to create a food waste 'revolution' that would bring his community together and hit on the idea of a weekly food waste banquet. With a £1K grant from the Awesome Foundation, he bought secondhand kitchen/cooking equipment - portable stoves, an oven, knives, chopping boards. The People's Kitchen has grown from one person (Steve) to an advisory board of 15; each week, an average of 15 volunteers cook a banquet for 45+ people and the project has expanded to a further two branches in Brixton and Finsbury Park.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments, Nutrient-rich farming.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
We would love to be able to work out of a bigger kitchen space so that more members of the community can join our weekly dinners. More ovens, hobs and sinks would give us the ability to cater to more diners.
Also, we have been interested in farming - even if it is only growing some of our own vegetables/fruit in window boxes, a back garden or rooftop! This would help us provide more fresh produce and greater varieties so that we can cook even more enticing dishes for the community!
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
As farmlands shrink, and food prices rise, how do we meet the nutrition needs of a rapidly growing population? I propose sky-scraping greenhouses, 'green cupboards' and 'stackable green shelves' for the year-round cultivation of healthy food crops ... as well as tissue cultures of meat and fish.
Created on 06/17/2013 by Hayu
Food fairy and the wild plant explorer is a comprehensive curriculum to educate children about local food, from its source to its taste. Using fun method children activate all senses learning about cultivated and wild plants as food ingredients and the importance of conservation to sustain our food.
Organization: Mantasa
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Hybrid
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
No, the organization hasn't received any awards so far, but in 2010 we got project fund from UNDP for a year term. And within the last 2 years the organization has grown so fast and our events always covered by national media, that somehow is also an honor for us.
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Food Fairy and the Wild Plant Explorers
Stage
Start-Up (a pilot that has just started operating)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
Food fairy and the wild plant explorer is a comprehensive curriculum to educate children about local food, from its source to its taste. Using fun method children activate all senses learning about cultivated and wild plants as food ingredients and the importance of conservation to sustain our food.
Problem
Children nowadays are used to industrial processed food, which is attractive, heavily marketed, and easily found, This affects children's senses and health (e.g. high sugar intake leads to diabetes).
As most modern food relies heavily on monoculture planting, it also affects the environment, threatening local plants and the knowledge about potential for human (e.g. medicinal properties) and environment (e.g. capacity to hold soil erosion).
Solution
Food fairy and the wild plant explorer is a comprehensive curriculum to educate children about food, from its source to its taste. Using fun method, children learn about local food ingredients in their surrounding environment.
Using their all senses children were introduced to both cultivated and wild plants: the look, smell, taste, and touch. This is to re-sensitize their senses from strong flavor of industrial processed food and make them fully aware of what they eat.
Furthermore, as they explore the place where the plants grow, children learn about the relation between local food and biodiversity. This develops their awareness of conservation and its importance for their health and environment.
Example
Our regular program usually consists of 8 visits within 4 months to explore food, from its source to its taste.
First we introduce the look and taste of various edible plants (roots, leaves, fruit). We also have the children closed their eyes and differentiate the smell and taste of various ingredients. This way we "train" them to sensitize all senses and get deeper understanding of what they eat. First they seem disgusted but over time their curiosity grows.
We also take them exploring the river, field, or forest nearby to learn about bio-diversity and many alternatives of food ingredients aside from ones available in the market. We then pick some local plants, like bluntas, simbukan, or papaya, and together make snacks or drinks.
Impact
We started regular program with 4 schools (kindergarten and primary school), 2 in urban and 2 in rural area, total number of children involved about 200. Aside from that we also have non-regular program by request.
Most children in the beginning find difficulties, e.g. to recognize some smell, to accept bitter or sour taste. But after a while, they regain sensitivity of their senses and pay more attention to the food they eat. Children also start to think critically and able to decide what they want to eat or not.
We have also worked with rural mothers to create local plant seed bank. Thus children will learn and apply their knowledge both at home and at school.
In the future, we envision children to have a deep understanding about food system and able to make wise decision about what they eat against long term personal, local, and global impact .
Marketplace
Slow Food International has developed material about taste education. We collaborate with them in using the materials and adjust the contents to emphasize local food and biodiversity conservation.
Some youth farmer group, food security office, local women organization, agriculture government agency, research and academic institute are doing works to reintroduce the use of wild plants. We collaborate with them in sharing the information as our education materials.
Sustainability Plan
Previously we have been working on edible wild plants with village women group. Now they have food products derived from edible wild plants and eco-tourism package to introduce the edible wild plants in the environment and how to cook it into attractive food. We develop sales partnership and profit sharing with this group to sustain funding.
We also apply for grants related to conservation, education, and social innovation.
Founding Story
During a school visit, we found that urban children don't know that rice came from paddy, or how to differentiate banana tree and cotton tree. Rural children also cannot differentiate herbs and spices. This shows their low knowledge about the food they consume and the process behind. No transfer of knowledge between parents and children about local food culture.
With the global food invasion, local food is left behind. Thus local food culture is threatened, as also local biodiversity. A striking example: picking wild plants as food is considered outlandish against buying food in market.
So we try to educate children to build the knowledge about local food, develop healthy diet, and lead them to take part in environment conservation.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Full nourishment foods.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments, Nutrient-rich farming, Human wellness and vitality.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
To sustain availability of full nourishment food, healthy environment is a prerequisite, while nutrient rich farming is the method. Human wellness & vitality is the result, and act as the motivation to ensure people to align their thought and action toward sustainable environment. The fields are interconnected and strengthen each other.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Created on 06/12/2013 by drcsc01
Studies have shown women and children are the most sufferer of malnutrition. In India, about 80 marginal farm households do not have access to vegetables and animal protein. Optimum utilisation of homestead and proper integration with animals can provide basic year round nutrition for all.
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Development Research Communication
Country where this project is creating social impact
n/a
Is your organization a
Please select
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
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Nutrition Garden - the source of nutrition
Stage
Established (the solution has passed the previous stages, and has demonstrated success)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
Studies have shown women and children are the most sufferer of malnutrition. In India, about 80 marginal farm households do not have access to vegetables and animal protein. Optimum utilisation of homestead and proper integration with animals can provide basic year round nutrition for all.
Problem
The marginal and poor families of West Bengal are unable to have food for four times a day. After harvest they have food for thrice a day but that too for 3 months in an year. A detailed study in Bankura shows about 62% children are malnourished. As a scope these families families have some small front yard and/or a back yard space around their living spaces where they grow one or two vegetables haphazardly punctuated by 2 or 3 fruit trees.
Solution
Garden Maps & Seasonal Calendars are prepared for each household to identify present production & consumption pattern and identify factors that limit productivity, length of growing season etc. According to those the scopes are identified and the groups of women and adolescents are capacitated for optimum utilization of the space around their huts for making nutrition gardens. The locally suitable plants rich in vitamin C, VITAMIN A, iron etc are selected with the community for their gardens. The traditional varieties of small birds & animals etc are integrated for providing protein food. Multi use, traditional varieties of trees & crops are selected. Multitier arrangement, combination of species, year round harvest are given due to imp
Example
Rokeya Bibi of Beliakhali, North 24 Parganas has 25 cents of homestead space on which she had a little pond & a few trees. After training and orientation on nutrition garden she deepened her little pond, raised the garden with the silt & used every little space to plant 10-15 types of nutrition rich seasonal vegetables & trees. She made a pergola to raise the climber trees. A productive fence with pigeon pea, basil, etc was made. She kept few ducks and raised fish in the pond which meet the need of animal protein. The azolla in the pond used for fish and duck feed, duck excrete used for fish feed. She made her bio inputs by using the raw materials of kitchen and garden. The vegetable, fish, egg is sufficient to meet the need of the 5 member
Impact
DRCSC organized more than 2500 women who grow leafy vegetables, vegetables, legumes, roots & tubers, spices & herbs in their gardens. Throughout the year 15-20 varieties of crops can be found in their gardens. Average garden sizes are 70m2/household and average yield/week varies between 12-14 kg during peak period and 7-8 kg during lean period. Now they can get their vitamin & mineral supply from these small gardens. The women can also generate additional income by selling surplus vegetables in local markets. Not only the nutrition status of the families has significantly improved and incidence of illness has gone down this activity enhance the skills and knowledge of the women. Their capacity to make decisions and plans has improved. Inherent capacity of the women to contribute significantly towards food and economic security could be proved. They are now able to store and exchange seed
Marketplace
The initiative can be extended to every household with the minimum input of a handful of seeds and some training. In spite of being an individual activity, group formation is essential for providing training, sharing & exchange of seeds, knowledge etc. Different factors like design, selection of species, families and varieties, seed keeping etc. – elements that distinguish a nutrition garden from an usual kitchen garden -- must be taken into account.
Sustainability Plan
Training is the major part in this programme. A very little resource is needed as input cost as Rs. 400 for 70m2 of space. Master trainers can be trained in different localtions who can take forward this work among their locality. Convergence with government schemes like MGNREG is also a scope. In some of our working areas we have been able to mobilise the benefit of individual benefit scheme for making nutrition gardens.
Founding Story
The food and nutrition insecurity in one hand and non utilisation of resources on the other has led to find a solution of using optimum space available to produce nutrition rich vegetables and integrate small birds and animals which can give protein and nutrition for the malnourished families.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Nutrient-rich farming.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
Nutrition rich, environment friendly, organic cultivation of vegetables will improve the quality of food basket of the resource poor farmers, the women and children will be able to get vegetables and animal protein through out the year.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Funding Opportunity Link:
The People's Kitchen is a chef-led community food waste initiative. Each Sunday, volunteers pick up wonky fruit and veg from local shopkeepers. With the help of volunteer chefs and 'cooks', this food is prepped and cooked into a dazzling array of delicious dishes for a weekly, alternative Sun dinner
Created on 06/11/2013 by MAPMangrover
MAP is dedicated to reversing the degradation and loss of mangrove worldwide. Ecological Mangrove Restoration is an innovative solution which ensures biodiverse mangrove for local food security, fisheries livelihoods and disaster risk reduction. Awareness and empowerment of fisherfolk are key.
Organization: Mangrove Action Project (MAP)
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideOrganization Name
Mangrove Action Project (MAP)
Organization Country
United States, WA, Port Angeles, Clallam County
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
* Finalist for Savannah Ocean Exchange's 2011 Solution Exchange
* Twice nominated for the prestigious RAMSAR Award for outstanding work in wetlands conservation.
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Ecological Mangrove Restoration Ensures Local Food Security
Stage
Growth (the pilot has already launched and is starting to expand)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
MAP is dedicated to reversing the degradation and loss of mangrove worldwide. Ecological Mangrove Restoration is an innovative solution which ensures biodiverse mangrove for local food security, fisheries livelihoods and disaster risk reduction. Awareness and empowerment of fisherfolk are key.
Problem
Mangroves are being destroyed at higher rate than tropical rainforest due to unsustainable shrimp aquaculture. This results in the total loss of all goods and services like fisheries, storm protection and carbon storage. There are 400,000 ha of abandonned ponds in Asia which could be returned to mangroves. Most mangrove plantings efforts fail or end up creating monoculture plantations. 70-80% of all post tsunami mangrove plantings failed.
Solution
Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) is a long-term, sustainable solution to mangrove loss. It aids natural regeneration by restoring the natural tidal hydrology (often abandoned shrimp farms), ensuring full-biodiversity restoration. Nature regenerates all species in their correct zonation. This approach re-establishes the mangrove ecosystem that is invaluable to local communities as a nursery for fish, shrimp, crab and shellfish providing critical local food security, fisheries livelihoods and Disaster Risk Reduction.
Community member involvement from the start means local project ownership which ensures the long-term protection. Support for alternative supplementary livelihoods helps reduce resource pressure.
Example
MAP Thailand is using the EMR process to restore several abandoned shrimp ponds back to mangrove forest in Ranong and Krabi. Working with Tale Nok community the process was adapted specifically for the villagers to ensure a supplementary income. 1/3 of the site was planted in Nypa Palm which can be used for thatch-roof making and marketable products. Since the hydrology was restored, 9 species of mangrove have returned to this site supporting biodiversity; if this had been planted there would be likely less than half this number. The villagers are regularly catching fish and mud crab where there was nothing before. These demonstration sites are proving the EMR methodology works and is a profitable win-win solution providing food security.
Impact
Accomplishments:
- restoring mangrove using EMR in abandoned shrimp ponds
- gained full community involvement
- village able to claim back illegally encroached community mangrove forest
- community commitment to protect sites from mangrove future encroachment
- improved fish habitats
- part of the pond planted in Nypa Palm for future economic utilization (7 families engaged in Nypa processing)
- creating demonstration sites for future EMR trainings
The future objective is to up-scale EMR to multiple shrimp ponds increasing the benefits of food security, fisheries livelihoods & DRR. Mangrove regeneration is now in the early stage & benefits will increase over time.
The EMR impacts can be qualitatively verified through interviewing community members. Quantitative data is being compiled using time-lapse photos showing change over time. Visual evidence is very convincing.
Marketplace
No one else is using EMR Thailand, so this is a unique restoration method. Governments and NGOs have been planting monoculture plantations in some abandoned ponds but these often fail because they didn't correct the hydrology first. Also the communities were not fully involved so there is no sense of ownership to prevent destruction again. The villagers are often just requested to help plant the site but are not empowered. There is huge potential to use EMR to restore barren shrimp pond areas back to biodiverse mangroves which will provide important goods and services locally and globally.
Sustainability Plan
Financial sustainability is an issue. If the Thai government adapted EMR this would be a huge success. An export tax on farmed shrimp to restore mangroves could provide a sustainable source of funding, but this is very difficult as there is a powerful shrimp lobby.
EMR training in the region is needed for wider uptake which will be applicable to countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, etc.
Founding Story
I encountered mangroves while traveling in Thailand in 1992, impressed with all their many benefits and services, but dismayed by their rapid loss due to shrimp farming. Most attempts to restore mangroves did not correct the problems causing the loss but merely hand planted a single species forming unnatural plantations.
As a solution MAP applied Community-based Ecological Mangrove Restoration a holistic approach, repairing the hydrological functions of the mangrove, thus allowing self-repair. It engages communities in restoration, empowering them to be stewards of their environment, and enabling them to regain livelihoods lost when mangroves were destroyed. The restored mangrove will once again become the supermarket for local people.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Healthy environments., Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
Globally we're losing over 100,000 ha of mangrove every year. Therefore, we need much great emphasis on protection if we hope to reverse this trend. Mangrove restoration is expensive, time consuming and often not successful. The restored mangrove taking many years to reach the previous status.
Community-based management / co-management have proven to be an effective long-term mangrove protection strategy. Expanded capacity within MAP would help us bring existing healthy mangrove under community control ensuring local food security and high protein seafood in the market.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Created on 06/4/2013 by raunak bagga
its is a device which helps to know the desire level of water
Organization: raunak product
more ↓↑ hide↑ hideName Your Entry
low water level indicator(cheapest)
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Not registered
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideThe Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
i am trying to slove the problem that the person don't known the desire level of water that i am tryed to slove it.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
the device i have made it is the solution .
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
i live in appt the person goes to terrace to known the desire level . my device help to known the desire level of water in the tank.then i have made a prototype then i have tessted my device and the device works .
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Created on 05/16/2013 by saveourrice
'Rice is life' to people throughout Asian. Rice is our staple food, culture, rituals and traditions. India had two lakh varieties of rice before Green Revolution, many in the present generation are not aware of diversity of rice. Save our rice campaign is conserving around 500 varieties onfarm.
Organization: Sahaja Samrudha
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideStage
Growth (the pilot has already launched and is starting to expand)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
'Rice is life' to people throughout Asian. Rice is our staple food, culture, rituals and traditions. India had two lakh varieties of rice before Green Revolution, many in the present generation are not aware of diversity of rice. Save our rice campaign is conserving around 500 varieties onfarm.
Problem
Diversity of rice cuisines is based on regional specialties and locally available rice varieties of each community. Despite its importance as a staple food, every rice variety is having variable nutritional and medicinal benefits, which is not known to the urban consumers. Farmers are also willing to shift to grow these varieties as it is resistant to drought and disease, but availability of region specific seeds and guidance is the problem.
Solution
Over a decade, the campaign has collected 567 traditional varieties of Scented, Medicinal, Deep water, Saline-tolerant and Dry land rices and is conserving onfarm. Network is growing and expecting more support from farming communities to adopt desi rices and grow organically. 'Sahaja Samrudha Organic Producers Co. Ltd.' has been registered, being the first farmer owned company but operated by professionals is functioning towards marketing only traditional varieties. About 30 varieties are introduced to the market and are receiving good response and appreciation. Introducing and producing more quantity and linking to market is the challenge. Sahaja is working towards the sustainability and empowerment through formations of producers groups.
Example
Rice cultivation-After Green revolution introduction of high breeds/HYV forced the farmers to ignore their traditional seeds and shift to conventional farming. Due to which gradually most of the rice varieties were extinct and the cost of cultivation increased rapidly. Soon farmers realised, but then they had lost most of the seeds. Campaign is supporting free seeds, teaching traditional cultivation practices, organising farmer groups and giving best price for their produce. More farmers are attracted as it is sustainable and reducing farming community risks.
Marketing - Scope of market is increasing rapidly. Increase in illness, diabetic, cancer, etc. are forcing to shift their food habits. Apart from regular outlet we organise melas.
Impact
During different melas organised in different district centers, the astonishing display of over 100 traditional rice varieties, lab analysis report showcasing the nutritive values, information spread through mass media support, posters, leaflets and publications along with demonstrating forgotten rice recipes, rapidly created great market potential. Doctors and nutritionist examined these rices on their patients and shared amazing results. Consumer groups were formed to know their feedback and requirement. Though the competition has increased within the organic outlets, Sahaja is the only company working closely with farmers giving best price both to farmers and consumers. ICS certification is done to believe on trustworthy. 'Desi seed producers co.' is being registered for streamlining informal seed supply and for trusted organically grown traditional seeds. Wider scope is enhancing us.
Marketplace
Sahaja Samrudha is one of the core organisation dedicated for the revival of traditional food crops. Rice, millets and many vegetables that were at the verge of extinct were brought back and are safeguarded. The movement emerged with a small team of link minded volunteers from various sectors. Sahaja doesn't believe in NGO style of working. Conservation of traditional seeds and sustainability of farming communities would be possible only through entrepreneurship. To popularise the unknown and forgotten desi rices for the first time Desi rice mela, red rice mela, organic mela(fair) were organised.
Sustainability Plan
NABARD, green investors and few volunteers are supporting our initiatives from past 3 years. In 2012, Annual sale of traditional rice varieties crossed 100 tonnes. However, this is only a beginning as the consumption is only small fraction comparatively. Regional producers groups will be formed and linked to the national level federations. We are confident, our company will progress to profit margin soon and support the organisation inturn.
Founding Story
Approximately 125 words left (750 characters).
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Healthy environments., Nutrient-rich farming, Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Healthy environments, Nutrient-rich farming, Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
Sahaja movement is collective of eco friendly, green investors, young volunteers who have great affection for mother earth. Apart from agro biodiversity conservation, Sahaja is motivating farming community towards enterpruners and sustainability. Conventional farming is burdening farmers. On the other hand, people are more pron to various disease. Agriculture and health department, research institutes are least bothered implementing their own strategies. For the first time these varieties charaterisation, crop improvement and lab analysis were done and information published.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
The strategic plan of the project is to empower the local people with knowledge to harness their potential in order to raise their living standards and to make them healthy and environmentally conscious.
Created on 05/7/2013 by sschofield
EcoLogic applies an agroforestry method known as ‘alley-cropping with Inga edulis trees’ with smallholder farmers in Central America that addresses the interrelated issues of food and economic insecurity, soil nutrient sustainability, and deforestation prevalent in the region.
Organization: EcoLogic Development Fund
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EcoLogic Development Fund
Organization Country
United States, MA, Cambridge, Middlesex County
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
EcoLogic recently became a one of the top 100 innovators for the Rockefeller Foundation’s Next Century Innovators award for our agroforestry program being presented in this application. Our sustainable agroforestry work was also recently featured in a publication entitled, “Impact Innovations: Lessons from Small-scale Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean,” put out by the International Institution for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) the International Development Bank (IDB) and El Fondo Regional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (FONTAGRO). (PDF can be viewed here: http://www.fontagro.org/sites/default/files/Innovaciones_de_Impacto.pdf)
In June 2012 at the Rio +20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil our Honduran partner organization, AJAASSPIB, was honored as one of 25 recipients of the UN Equator Prize. This earned them prestigious recognition out of 800 nominees from 113 countries, to “recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.” EcoLogic nominated AJAASSPIB for this award.
Additionally, EcoLogic was named Runner-Up in June 2011 for the Swiss Re ReSource Award for Sustainable Watershed Management, an internationally recognized prize for leadership in community‐based watershed management. This award honored our work in northern Honduras. Finally, EcoLogic was awarded the 2007 Energy Globe National Award for Honduras in recognition of its launching of Pico Bonito Forests LLC.
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Alley-cropping with Inga edulis trees
Stage
Scaling (the solution has passed the previous stages, and the next step will be growing its impact on a regional or global scale)
This Entry is about (Issues)
Elevator Pitch
EcoLogic applies an agroforestry method known as ‘alley-cropping with Inga edulis trees’ with smallholder farmers in Central America that addresses the interrelated issues of food and economic insecurity, soil nutrient sustainability, and deforestation prevalent in the region.
Problem
Central America faces the most rapid deforestation of all world regions and its most impoverished and marginalized communities often coincide with highly degraded forest areas. The use of slash-and-burn agriculture by subsistence farmers contributes largely to this problem. Although convenient in the short-term, the method is inefficient and costly over time, and depletes available land and soil nutrients while producing meager crop yields.
Solution
Alley-cropping, the planting of rows of trees with agricultural crops planted in between, is a well-known sustainable alternative to slash-and-burn. It helps meet local demand for food while halting the loss of productive land and workable soil and maintaining forest ecosystem structure, especially when using the tree species, Inga edulis. Inga roots effectively fix nitrogen into the soil, and its fallen leaves eliminate weeds by mulching the soil. Cropland with Inga edulis can be cultivated for an estimated eight to ten years continuously, compared to two to three years for slash-and-burn plots, by properly maintaining the soil nutrients needed to grow food. It also yields a higher quality and more abundant product on less land.
Example
In 2008, EcoLogic provided José Salvador Toc, a farmer from Ixcán, Guatemala, with Inga edulis seeds to start his own alley-cropping plot. Two years later, his Inga edulis plots harvested 40% more corn compared to his conventional plot, and the Inga leaves had suppressed weeds and mulched the soil so that no extra fertilizer was needed. Within months, hundreds of fellow farmers had requested training and seeds to begin alley-cropping plots. The alley-cropping program in Ixcán now 400 farmers and serves as a node for teaching and learning for EcoLogic’s agroforestry program. Don Salvador offers training and seeds to fellow farmers, seeing the technique as critical for the community’s health, food security and economy.
Impact
EcoLogic supports over 300 alley-cropping plots across four sites in Guatemala and Honduras. A 2011 analysis by researchers from CIPAV at our largest project in Ixcán, Guatemala showed that alley-cropping plots yield approximately 350 kg more corn per hectare than traditional plots, a value of approximately US $577/hectare per year. As the poverty line in Guatemala is US $542, this technique can significantly improve economic and food security for rural communities.
We plan to expand impact by: 1) supporting current participating farmers in diversified crop production with the technique, and 2) expanding participation in current alley-cropping communities and introducing alley-cropping in EcoLogic projects in Chiapas, Mexico and Darién, Panama. These sites will serve as hubs to promote alley-cropping as a means for meeting local food demand while preserving forest resources.
Marketplace
This specific alley cropping technique was developed by Dr. Michael Hands of Cambridge University and Honduras’ Inga Foundation. Various other groups use alley-cropping techniques to help subsistence farmers produce more food in a sustainable manner. EcoLogic’s innovation is that it applies the technique with farmers on land used by of one of their peers, rather than in a controlled research setting. This allows farmers to test the approaches in a familiar environment, making them local experts in balancing immediate consumption needs with long-term stewardship of forest resources.
Sustainability Plan
EcoLogic has raised $100,000 for development of this program. Financial sustainability hinges on two strategies: 1) establishing a group of farmers in each community capable of training others in alley cropping; and 2) establishing local seed production centers. These strategies will ensure that costs stay stable even as EcoLogic expands the overall number of communities and farmers that it supports in the adoption of this technique.
Founding Story
In 2002 in northern Honduras, EcoLogic’s Regional Director visited demonstration plots using an alley-cropping method with Inga edulis trees designed by British researcher, Dr. Michael Hands, at the Centro Universitario Regional del Litoral Atlántico (CURLA). Farmers in our nearby project site had voiced interest in alternative agriculture techniques and the director of EcoLogic’s local partner at the time, the Pico Bonito National Park Foundation (FUPNAPIB), passionately promoted the multitude of community benefits related to Inga edulis trees. Our regional director determined that the technique would strengthen and compliment the forest conservation and community development work already being implemented in this project site.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhere do you ensure the availability of nutrients?
Healthy environments., Nutrient-rich farming.
If you had greater capacity, which additional sectors would you like your solution to target - either through expansion, partnership, or thought exchange?
Full nourishment foods, Human wellness and vitality.
How specifically would this added capacity help you improve the quality, efficiency, or sustainability of your existing product or service?
Added financial capacity will allow us to meet demand for training and seeds, to increase crop production and food security, and to strengthen the evidence needed for scaling uptake throughout the region. We will also be able to explore alternate techniques and high-nutrient food production. Furthermore, it will allow us to refine our monitoring and evaluation, scaling, and farmer outreach mechanisms. Lastly, we will be able to support the creation of more local seed production enterprises and, hence, eliminate the import of seeds from Honduras for all project sites.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideHow is your product or service connected to vitality for the people and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
People need appropriate nutrients to grow, learn, and fight off disease. How do you measure, track, or make use of information about nutrient levels in your own work?
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Considering the flow of nutrients from ecosystems to soil to farms to food to communities, what are the barriers to achieving vitality for people and the planet?
Other barriers you have identified
In your view, what developments need to happen in order to help overcome those barriers and produce a more nutrient rich and vital public and planet?
Approximately 125 words left (1000 characters).
What do you consider the most promising trends or evidence that indicates that the developments you described are emerging? Please elaborate.
Approximately 100 words left (800 characters).
Approximately 45% of Guatemala and Honduras’population is food-insecure. EcoLogic combats this, and saves forest, using ‘alley-cropping with Inga edulis.’ Farmers increase staple food production, improve soil quality, and use less land, preserving forest resources and ecosystem services.
TERI has created an environment that is enabling, dynamic and inspiring for the development of solutions to global problems in the fields of energy, environment and current patterns of development, which are largely unsustainable.
Created on 04/2/2013 by Kelsey Hartman
Humans and the environment are fundamentally connected: healthy communities cannot exist without a healthy planet. Recognition of this connection inspires Health In Harmony’s innovative integrated systems model. We collaborate with communities to trade healthcare for rainforest conservation, and break the link between poverty, poor health, and environmental degradation.
Organization: Health In Harmony
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United States, OR, Portland, Multnomah County
Organization's Country of Operation
Type of Organization
Non‐profit/NGO
Year of launch of the organization
Years in Operation
Operating for more than 5 years
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
2008: Health In Harmony receives the Mongabay "Innovation in Conservation Award"; 2009: Founder featured as a "New Eco Role Model" in O (Oprah) Magazine; 2009: PBS featured our work as part of the "Under-Told Stories" segment on The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer; 2011: Indonesian co-founder Dr. Hotlin Ompusunggu wins the Whitley Award; 2011: Outside Magazine ranks Health In Harmony in the top 30 charities for citizen philanthropy in "The Year of Giving Adventurously"; 2012: finalists in the Changemakers "Innovations for Health: Solutions That Cross Borders" competition; 2012: Founder presents at TEDxJakarta .
We want to hear about your “Aha!” moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution’s potential to change the world.
While doing undergraduate research in Gunung Palung National Park, founder Dr. Kinari Webb witnessed her assistant, Tadin, slice open his hand with a machete. He could not afford medical care to save his livelihood without resorting to illegal logging, which made Dr. Webb realize the connection between poverty, poor health care, and environmental destruction, and resolve to help.
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Healthcare as a Conservation Incentive
Explain what the "innovation" is about, e.g., is it the idea and/or the model you use to accomplish the idea, or your understanding of the target population, etc.?
Humans and the environment are fundamentally connected: healthy communities cannot exist without a healthy planet. However, where there is endemic poverty, people are too often forced to chose between their health and that of their environment. Without accessible, affordable healthcare, the only way to pay for necessary care is usually unsustainable exploitation of local resources. The resulting environmental destruction hurts both local and global communities, contributing to climate change on the global scale, and decreasing local water, soil, and air quality. Degraded ecosystems can also have less predictable negative impacts on human health: disturbed rainforests have been linked to increases of disease-carrying mosquitos (Olson et al., 2010).
Recognition of this connection, plus the key ingredient of community input and involvement, makes up Health In Harmony’s innovative model. We put it into practice at our pilot project Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI) in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, integrating high-quality, affordable healthcare with strategies to protect threatened rainforests. ASRI allows cash-poor families to barter reforestation supplies, manure for organic farming, local crafts, and labor for health care, and provides further “green discounts” to villages that do not log. The ASRI clinic functions as a community resource, providing education on conservation and human health, as well as training in organic farming and animal husbandry. Combined, these services allow both people and the planet to prosper.
Describe how your innovation model is distinct from any other organization in your field?
Our model addresses the patient's needs more holistically than others in our field. Many organizations, most notably Partners In Health, provide high quality healthcare in rural areas with a high degree of community engagement, but they focus exclusively on human health. Others focus exclusively on conservation, offering incentives for conservation, or as in the case of the World Conservation Society, work with communities to offer alternative livelihoods to unsustainable resource extraction. We focus not only on the patients' immediate medical needs, but on creating a healthier environment - physically and economically - to prevent future medical crises by combining health and conservation education, and alternative livelihood trainings with healthcare.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
HIH’s role is three-fold: 1) raising funds and cultivating partners; 2) raising awareness and telling the story; and, 3) providing our program partner, ASRI, with the stream of medical and conservation volunteers and researchers that add value to the full expression of model while simultaneously assuring that Indonesians are leading and truly forming the foundation of success at ASRI. ASRI is legally and operationally separate as an Indonesian-based NGO.. This simplifies functioning within the Indonesian legal system and creates a more genuinely community-based project, run by Indonesians for Indonesians. It also creates more day-to-day efficiency in our operations, as the staff at ASRI is fully independent and able to effectively direct and lead projects as an expression of the model.
How do you make sure you constantly innovate in light of (potential) external challenges, or your growth plan?
Our ongoing innovation is based on regular communication with the communities with which we work. By staying in touch with our beneficiaries, who know best what needs must be addressed, we can adapt to changing and challenging circumstances. This has already led us to new innovations: when discussing our model with the local communities, many people requested organic farming training, which is now one of our most popular programs and has provided over 300 people with an alternative livelihoods to logging. Based on enthusiastic community feedback and desire for more extensive healthcare, environmental education, and livelihood trainings, we plan to break ground on a larger community center this summer, showing again that the communities we work with are constant sources of innovation.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideThe systemic challenge you are trying to overcome (select one)
Bring accessible healthcare to communities in emerging markets
Health area (target market) where the need is [select only one]
Primary healthcare services
Categories along the health continuum you are covering [select all that apply]
Prevention, Detection, Intervention, Follow-up.
Please describe in more detail: what problem are you trying to solve in the organization's specific context?
Through our work with the clinic and mobile clinic, we want to address the low standard of health, poor access to good healthcare, and debt incurred by healthcare. Major problems include a lack of potable water and correspondingly high rates of diarrhea, low immunization rates, lack of access to birth control, and high rates of tuberculosis and malaria. Healthcare services are either unavailable, of extremely low quality, or require 2 to 12 hours travel (assuming passable roads). As healthcare costs represent the third greatest family budget expenditure and often drive families to illegal logging, HIH also provides training in alternative, sustainable livelihoods to reverse practices that degrade local habitats and watershed conditions and lead to increases in mosquito-borne diseases.
Stage that best applies to your solution [select only one]
Start-up and growth (pilot is successful and starting to expand)
Core strategies of your business model [select all that apply]
Approaches to behavioral change at the individual level, New approaches to distribution of health products and services, Unconventional partnerships (between traditional healthcare players and players outside healthcare).
Most relevant tools you are using to implement the strategies outlined above [select only two]
New skills, Consultation, Education/training.
Please describe your solution in more detail
The heart of our solution is high quality affordable healthcare in exchange for conservation and training in sustainable livelihoods. At clinic, patients from green villages (no illegal logging for the past 30 days as verified by ASRI Forest Guardians) receive an 85% healthcare subsidy. If patients can’t pay cash, they can “pay” with bartered goods. Regular community meetings and lively healthcare and conservation presentations engage participants in appreciating links between their health and rainforest health. Healthcare outreach includes a mobile clinic, and a highly successful DOTS program led by trained community healthcare workers. As healthcare represents a substantial economic burden, ASRI also provides alternative livelihood trainings in organic farming and animal husbandry.
What are your vision and overall objectives?
We envision healthy communities and vibrant, functioning ecosystems as mutually supportive systems for a sustainable future. We aim to improve access and quality of healthcare while reducing related debt; increase stores of health and environmental knowledge through public education programs; promote economic and environmental sustainability by providing alternatives to illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture; and protect and restore threatened ecosystems. Our objective is to eventually create community health centers combined with conservation incentives in underserved but biodiverse areas across the globe.
What is your value proposition?
We provide accessible high-quality, low-cost healthcare with flexible payment options to prevent economic hardship while incentivizing conservation. While visits to our clinic cost roughly the same amount as a trip to the government clinic, our non-cash payment options create less economic hardship, so that our patients do not have to go into debt or choose between food and medicine to afford our services.
We provide alternative livelihood training in organic farming and animal husbandry, creating sustainable livelihoods with low start up costs, low risk, and high returns. There are no other organized trainings in these occupations in the area, and demand is very high.
Who is your customer(s)?
Our customer is the average person living around Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP). The majority are agricultural workers farming small plots of land or domestic workers, and their children. Most live in extreme poverty with the little to no opportunity for advancement: the average daily wage is $1.47, and as of 2012, only 27% of the population had any education past elementary school. The vast majority are Muslim people of the Melayu ethnic group. The population skews very young, with a median age of 21.
What approaches to you use to reach your customers?
We reach new customers largely through community outreach and word of mouth. ASRI staff hold regular scheduled dialogues with community leaders and any interested community members in the villages that we work with to discuss ASRI's programs and if they could be improved. These dialogues, as well as mobile clinic visits to more remote villages and educational presentations in schools, increase our visibility in the area. Otherwise, we rely on word-of-mouth: the 61% of people who had heard of the clinic and our discount for non-logging villages had told others about the discount. Additionally, the Forest Guardians trained to monitor logging activities in each village spread the word about ASRI with their neighbors.
What are your primary activities?
Providing primary care is our central activity. We examine, diagnose, and treat common illnesses, and provide preventative care such as immunizations, mosquito nets, and education on good hygiene and health practices. We concentrate on health and conservation education both in and outside the clinic, through presentations in the clinic's waiting room and in the village primary schools. In addition, we provide alternative sustainable livelihood trainings in organic farming and animal husbandry. Finally, we run an organic garden and forestry nursery that is used in trainings, and provides food to the clinic and seedlings for our reforestation projects. We reforest and monitor between 4 and 7 hectares of rainforest each year, depending on funding.
Who are your peers and competitors? What problems could these players pose to your success or growth?
Our peers and competitors are the government clinic and hospital, and the village nurses. We must compete against the public clinic's established reputation, and the convenience of the village nurses, but do not see them as long-term threats to our growth. The biggest threat we face is our code of conduct that does not allow ASRI to offer or accept any bribes. Our clinic is both more accessible to many communities, but also much more affordable once our non-cash payment options and conservation subsidies are taken into account, and the doctors have much more training and resources than the village nurses. The communities surrounding GPNP are still underserved, so we do not anticipate competition between healthcare providers in the foreseeable future.
What other challenges - individual, organizational, or environmental – are you currently facing or might hinder future success of your business, and how do you plan to overcome those?
1) Bribery and corruption. HIH/ASRI do not accept or give bribes, which has meant that achieving official permissions for programs is always a long and complex process. We practice patience and diplomacy. 2) Securing the engagement of remote villages with the highest illegal logging rates. We identify opportunities to engage village members in immunization and healthcare programs to build trust and do not turn anyone away. 3) Palm oil plantation expansion. We rely on and engage with NGOs that are fighting expansion and maintain focus on our model. 4) Awareness of ASRI’s programs and discounts. Adding, by request, conservation education programming in the schools reaches the next generation as well as many families that would not otherwise know about ASRI.
Briefly describe your growth strategy going forward
We plan to increase our presence in the GPNP communities through continued outreach and designing solutions in and with community for additional livelihood trainings and monitoring of forest conservation. Critical to this is expanding our healthcare facilities with a community healthcare center/hospital. Further on, we hope to replicate our model in other underserved and biodiverse areas.
What dimensions for growth are you currently targeting for your innovation [select all that apply]
New customer group(s), New regions(s).
What makes your business "ready" for growth?
Our pilot clinic and program has demonstrated remarkable success in achieving our objectives, and is functioning at and beyond capacity. We have a strong and dedicated donor base, as well as the internal capacity to pursue more funding for additional projects. An exploratory site visit is planned for Raja Ampat, Indonesia to assess feasibility of establishing a similar program.
What are your key growth objectives?
1) At ASRI, the construction of a larger community health care center with urgent care and surgical capacities. A larger, more comprehensive facility will greatly increase our impact in the communities, as the average cost of an emergency hospital visit is nearly 90% of the average family's yearly income; and serve as a training site for replication. 2) Replication of the model in a new location.
What is your timeframe for growth, in the short and mid-term? What are the growth milestones and key activities going forward?
In the short term, we plan to begin work on the ASRI community healthcare center/hospital by this time next year. For this to happen, we must meet our fundraising goal to begin construction and lay out a longer-term, sustainable operations plan. In the mid-term, we are investigating what it would take to replicate our model in a different setting. The key activities in that process are scouting a new location; working with the surrounding communities to identify the key health and conservation issues, and the most effective incentives. As in 2005 when the site for the current clinic was scouted, community “buy in” and permissions from local and regional government officials will be essential to replicating in Raja Ampat, or elsewhere.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat has been the impact of your solution to date?
The results of our internal five-year survey show a remarkable impact. In the five years the clinic has been operating, we have served 15,000 patients with over 34,000 total patient visits. Common disease symptoms have declined dramatically across the board by as much as 68% (p<0.0001 for all). Infant mortality declined significantly by 18%, and there was a corresponding significant increase in midwifes present at births. Preventative care is also on the rise: the percentage of children receiving any immunizations increased 25% to 84%, and complete immunizations increased by 11%, while mosquito net usage rose from 86 to 98%, and 98% of households now boil their water before drinking, a 24% increase (p<0.0001 for all). Smoking declined 14.7% in men and 64.8% in women to 55.8% and 5.6% respectively, while smoking rates were actually rising countrywide. Additionally, ASRI patients were less likely to defecate in river, more likely to use a restroom, and more likely to use birth control than their counterparts.
Importantly, ASRI appears to be lowering barriers to care. While ASRI patients’ income is not statistically different from non-patients, ASRI patients were significantly less worried about affording healthcare (57% vs 73%) and accessing healthcare (57% vs 70%) than non-patients (p<0.0001), and having to choose between food and medicine was significantly less likely in patients who had been to ASRI.
What methods for quantification of social impact are you applying (if at all)?
We are using comparison surveys to quantify and evaluate our impact. A baseline survey of 1,348 households surrounding GPNP was completed in February 2007, before any work was done by ASRI. A repeat survey was conducted in February 2012, with 1,497 households. Households were randomly selected from the village leader's list, and interviews were conducted by nurses who had been trained for one week in confidentiality, bias, leading questions, and comfort with the survey. The survey measured demographics, health and hygiene indicators, conservation attitudes and practices, and attitudes towards ASRI's work. We plan to repeat this survey for further evaluation of our social impact in another 3-5 years.
Could your solution work in other geographies or regions? If so, where?
Yes: where there is overexploitation as a result of community practices, particularly where health care insecurity continues to drive those choices and leads to resource exploitation that leads to poor community and global health. HIH is actively exploring this question of where and how. An exploratory site visit is planned to assess other geographies and regions. Although we offer healthcare discounts based on logging at ASRI, our model could be adapted to other threatened, biodiverse ecosystems, such as world-renowned coral reefs, where the incentive is based on protecting both the coral reefs and fisheries.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
With the construction of a community healthcare center/hospital, HIH/ASRI will perform emergency care and surgical procedures; it will also create greater conservation incentives, as green discounts will be more attractive for more costly surgical and emergency care. Also, though not previously noted, ASRI offers a dental clinic and this is an area where we forecast some of the greatest growth in patient care given survey results. We expect this to raise our profile and thus our impact across the board in communities surrounding GPNP. We have also recently launched ASRI Kids, a much more extensive educational program for children, that we expect will further improve health and conservation knowledge. Due to consistently high demand, we are also scaling up our organic farming training.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideElaborate on your current financing strategy
We rely on government and private foundation grants and individual giving to support programs and general operations. In addition, revenue to support clinic operations is generated by patient fees and the sale of handicrafts that have been bartered for care.
Share of revenue generation in total income of organization (in percent)
Direct sales to patients or other beneficiaries (in percent)
Of the possible sources of these sales listed below, check all that apply to your current strategy
Individuals, Patients.
Licensing fees, e.g., for technology/franchise model (in percent)
Of the possible sources of these licensing opportunities listed below, check all that apply to your current strategy
Service contract with organizations, e.g., government, NGOs (in percent)
Of the possible sources of the service contracts listed below, check all that apply to your current strategy
Explain your revenue generation strategy in more detail
HIH supports extensive donor and foundation fundraising for our program partner, to tell our story and ensure medical, conservation, other volunteers and researchers are available to ASRI based on their expressed needs. Volunteers have provided over $2 million of in-kind services. We also work with ASRI to build revenue generating options through patient fees and sales of bartered goods in exchange for healthcare services; and, through on-site and virtual collaboration, enhance staff capacity to engage Indonesian agency and donor funding sources. Both organizations engage donors through social media and fundraising campaigns as well. Annually, an ASRI staff leader is hosted domestically for training and outreach as well.
Share of philanthropy in total income of organization (in percent)
Philanthrophy strategies you are using
Diversified strategy.
Explain your philanthropic approach in more detail
HIH launched ASRI as a pilot program with a clear mission: saving rainforests with a stethoscope. The clarity of mission inspired long-term foundation funding and a dedicated pool of donors, many of whom have served as ASRI volunteers. The commitment to measuring impact (5-year survey) and on-site (and virtual) collaboration are both critical foundations of HIH’s approach: we embrace the importance of telling our story with facts as well as personal stories of success. Currently grants and donors including multi-year grants from government agencies and private foundations finance HIH. HIH has and is growing an active and involved donor pool that accounts for 40% of HIH’s current revenue. HIH also works with ASRI to develop greater revenue independence.
Expand on your selections; explain how you will sustain funding over the next 1-3 years.
Over the next few years, we will continue to seek out a variety of grants from both the US and Indonesian governments, from private foundations and other organizations and build capacity for generating revenue locally and sustainably at ASRI. HIH is actively leveraging international interest in preserving the exceptional biodiversity present in Indonesia and has engaged a number of potential financing opportunities; one especially promising source of funds is the "Debt for Nature" fund established when Norway agreed to forgive $1 billion of Indonesia's debt if that money was put towards preserving threatened rainforests. We also sustain funding through long-term, multi-year grants, such as a recurring grant from the US Fish & Wildlife Great Apes Conservation fund that supports our conservation initiatives. Individual giving is another important part of our plan to sustain funding in the upcoming years. We have and continue to build a generous donor pool, most of whom find to us through outreach and speaking tours, or through current “friends”. We hope to expand our social media presence in the coming year with the goal of crowd-funding specific initiatives.
Created on 03/23/2013 by vijay.aditya
Ekgaon is working to enable access to information and services to under-served markets primarily rural. The focus is to enable those services which support rural livelihoods and increase competitive advantage of rural artisans and farmers in the market. OneFarm is agriculture advisory service focussing on providing farmers advisory services localised for there land and crop (and variety), customised to there micro-climate and personalised to be delivered on there mobile phone in text or voice in local language.
Organization: Ekgaon Technologies
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry where this project is creating social impact
India, TN, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore
Is your organization a
Hybrid
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OneFarm: Localising farm advisory services and enabling access to smallholder farmers on Mobile phone
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Scaling (the next step will be growing impact on a regional or even global scale)
What problem is your organization committed to solving? In particular, share what is innovative about your approach.
Ekgaon is working to enable access to information and services to under-served markets primarily rural. The focus is to enable those services which support rural livelihoods and increase competitive advantage of rural artisans and farmers in the market. OneFarm is agriculture advisory service focussing on providing farmers advisory services localised for there land and crop (and variety), customised to there micro-climate and personalised to be delivered on there mobile phone in text or voice in local language. OneFarm platform provides weather forecast, crop management, soil nutrient management, disease alert, market prices, networking with inputs suppliers and supply chain integration, while helping reduce fertiliser and pesticide usage by 30% and increase farm productivity by 15%.
What are your organization's top three priorities in the next year?
Our top three priorities for next year are
1) Secure growth funding for the company
2) Scaling OneFarm services across geographies and crops/varieties
3) Build business development and customer support team for customer acquisition and support
Need #1
Consumer/Audience Acquisition
Need #2
Message & Brand Strategy
Based on your first choice of the eight technical categories you selected above, what is your specific project need? Please be specific!
Consumer/Audience Acquisition:
We seek to scale our services to new markets (geographies), crucial for the same are strategic channel partnership for distribution and outreach of our services across remote rural distribution networks/franchisees of various companies. We also need to identify strategies for building our own franchisee/distribution network, franchisee retention strategy and customer retention strategies.
Message & Brand Strategy:
OneFarm is a highly customised service for individual farmer and his/her farm. This is the distinguishing feature of the service against the prevailing competition. We want to place the project USP amongst the stakeholders of the sector in such a way that its brand catches attention, recall and repeated customers, while also attract attention of other services providers who can utilise the platform/network thus created for accessing there services to the farmers.
1.
Focus on the customers satisfaction through service quality
2.
Synergy in mutuals goals for service/sector/customers
3.
Focus on sustainability of services and long term parnership
Will support from American Express be focused on your organization overall or a specific product/service? Please describe.
The support for American Express would focus on specific service, viz OneFarm only as per the identified areas of technical support. However some of the strategies could also have impact on over all organisations business planning, customer acquisition strategies and brand promotion.
Have you focused on the above area previously? If so, please explain, including whether you have worked with outside consultants before.
We have focussed on all these areas previously, however have never used any consultants for the same due funding constraints. However in other areas of our work such as crop content development, voice dubbing, translations of content in local language, we always use consultants.
Are you able to commit 3-5 hours/wk over 10-12 weeks?
Yes
Are you able to meet virtually or at a convenient in-person location?
Yes
Are you able to meet in the city where your organization is based?
Yes
1.
More savings from reduced use of agri-inputs and increase income of the farmer
2.
Better crop management practices, improving soil and crop health, enhacing productivity
3.
Repeated customers for utilising OneFarm services
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
Over two years of impact assessment studies we have identified that farmers have been able to reduce usage of agri-inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides by over 30% while enhancing productivity by over 15%. The services could help save over 12 $ per farmer per crop season (2 acre farm) in agri-inputs (fertilizers & pesticides), healthy soil with enhanced farm productivity and hence better return on investment to farmers. The indirect impact on environment is by reduction of nitrogen poisoning due to over use of fertilizers in soil and water. The services has reached over to 300000 farmers, with active subscribers changing in each crop season. The service helps farmer diversify his/her farming with better choice of crop and variety as per market demand.
What is your project future impact after receiving professional support from American Express?
The future impact of the project could be larger on the small holder farmers if the proposed scale is reached. However this impact would be both a factor of right amount of investment as well as professional support. If the professional support helps to create strategic partnerships which would help scale without requiring much investment then the prospects of scale and impact could be much wider. For example a partnership with a mobile network operators could be potentially beneficial partnership, which would help get both scale as well as larger sustained revenues.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Created on 03/17/2013 by fountainofhopeAfrica
About 90% of Kiambu county populous lives below a dollar. The situation is even worse to families affected by HIV/Aids. Because of ardent poverty many families are not able to budget for sanitary towels since even food is not sufficient hence many girls miss school during their menses.
Organization: Fountain of Hope Youth Initiative Group
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Sanitary towels & reproduction health education to vulnerable girls.
Organization Name
Fountain of Hope Youth Initiative Group
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideThe Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
Many school going girls continue to miss school during their menses. According to UNICEF 2007 report, a girl in primary school between grades 6 and 8 (3 years) loses approximately 18 weeks out of 108 school weeks. A girl in high school (4 years) loses 156 learning days which is equivalent to almost 24 weeks out of 144 weeks of school. Because of poverty most use pieces of dirty rugs, cotton wool, leaves and paper some even wash and recycle. These practices expose them to diseases and discomfort.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
This project provides sanitary towels and under pants to poor girls and widows. The project also offers reproduction health & career mentor-ship training to kids of both genders with emphasis on girls who are more vulnerable.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
Providing Sanitary towels & undergarments to poor women -Conducting Hygiene education and awareness on personal diagnosis checks for breast cancer and genital disorders. -Conducting HIV/Aids awareness capitalizing on prevention and transmission to women.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
Kiambu County has 1.6m people. Kiambu County populous live below one dollar. Poverty levels are extremely high contributed by lack of land, extended families share small potions of land because of dense population; this leaves many without farming lands. The proximity of Kiambu to Nairobi city makes migration of commercial sex workers a norm which only promotes the HIV/Aids spread. HIV/Aids prevalence stands at 8% higher than national prevalence which is 6.3%. The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDs in the district include the highs school drop out rates, female and children headed families, loss of manpower and high mortality and morbidity rates, orphans etc. Lack of economic empowerment, education and information has made number of women in leadership and elective positions very low.
Farming for conservation entails a new paradigm: shifting the focus away from protecting the environment from farmers, to investing in farming as a way to enhance the delivery of a wide range of public goods and services. It is highly innovative in terms of the measures adopted, the simplicity of approach and the output based payment system. It has been piloted in a highly complex protected landscape of the Burren and has proven envirnmental, agricultural and socio economic benefits.
OpEPA creates opportunities to reconnect with Earth providing impact educational experiences that allow to - Explore, Discover, Learn, Experience, Feel, Become
A partnership can be formed between fresh water fish farms and vegetable farmers to transfer fish-water, providing nutrients to the plants.
A filtration pump can be used to transfer those fish water to a reservoir or dam, in turn be used for watering plants
Created on 01/15/2013 by Stefan Maard
CleanStar Mozambique is an integrated food, energy and forest protection business, producing and retailing an ethanol-based cooking solution for urban households in Africa – thus reversing the destructive cycle of charcoal and harnessing urban spending to drive rural development and reforestation.
read more ↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about yourself/your team.
I am Senior Advisor (Sustainable Development) at Novozymes and I'm charged with identifying and developing opportunities for Novozymes to engage in “Base of the Pyramid” (BoP) markets, using clean biotech solutions to help alleviate poverty in financially sustainable ways. Acting as an “intrapreneur” I develop new BoP business concepts, anchor them within relevant departments across Novozymes, and build the external partnerships required for effective incubation. My first major success is with CleanStar Mozambique (www.cleanstarmozambique.com), where I have played a pivotal role in the design and incubation of the business. I have since played an active role in venture management and am now focused on scale-up and replication of the business across sub-Saharan Africa.
What makes you an intrapreneur? What are the skills, capabilities, and personality traits that make you an intrapreneur?
I believe that highly scalable and replicable business solutions will often be the only means by which to meet many of the massive challenges of poverty and environmental degradation (not least by framing them as opportunities). With this fundamental conviction I have set out to achieve impact, which for a given venture requires 1) developing an innovative business concept, 2) navigating and combining internal and external agendas, mandates and resources, 3) developing a detailed business plan and financial model, 4) raising capital, and 5) building the team to execute on the plan. Being successful with these activities has required a range of traits and skills, not least creativity, business and impact analysis, networking, pitching, and business development skills.
Primary country where this project is creating social impact
Additional countries or regions
Maputo province (Maputo city)
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read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (your pilot is up and running, and starting to expand)
The Need: What social or environmental problem are you trying to solve?
We are addressing 4 interconnected problems: 1) A subsistence farming crisis with rural families practicing "slash-burn-degrade-move" agriculture. 2) Accelerating forest destruction caused largely by charcoal production. 3) Widespread nutrition deficiency and food price instability, with rural families over-reliant on a small mix of staple crops and urban families experiencing major food price fluctuations due to over-reliance on imports. 4) Major cost and health impacts of charcoal use for urban households given high (and increasing) prices and that it is equivalent to smoking 2 packs of cigarettes per person per day, mostly affecting women and small children (according to the WHO).
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
CleanStar Mozambique (CSM) is an integrated food, energy and forest protection business. producing and retailing a modern and affordable ethanol-based cooking solution for urban households in Africa. The company invests across the entire cooking fuel value chain. In rural Mozambique, CSM enables smallholder farmers to transition from subsistence “slash and burn” farming to sustainable surplus production by adopting a low-input agroforestry system that produces cassava, cowpeas, soya, sorghum and groundnut while planting and managing native trees. CSM buys the surpluses from farmers, and efficiently converts them into packaged food products and an ethanol-based liquid cooking fuel in the company’s integrated food and energy facility. CSM’s distribution network - strategically located in Maputo’s low-income neighborhoods – sells cookstoves and fuel at prices that are comparable to charcoal.
The Solution: Why is this solution innovative for your company and industry?
The business model is innovative in that it is not merely about taking a position in an existing value chain, but is building an entirely new one. Also, it combines a range of existing technologies rather than developing a new one. It is also innovative in its partnerships: combining multinational corporations (like Novozymes, ICM and Bank of America Merrill Lynch), small entrepreneur groups (like CleanStar Ventures and Zoe Enterprises), and rural smallholder farmers.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities.
CSM is a highly integrated business that will create economic, social and environmental value at every point along its value chain. Rural smallholders in Sofala province will experience improved nutrition and income increases of at least 300% while planting millions of trees and enhancing biodiversity. Urban households in Maputo will experience cleaner air, a reduced disease burden and lower energy costs while reversing deforestation by transitioning from charcoal to ethanol. By 2014 the venture will involve 2,000 smallholders over 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares), supply at least 20% of Maputo households with a clean and cheaper alternative to charcoal and thus protect 9,000 acres of indigenous forests per year. The company will also employ approximately 1,000 people in Mozambique. From a commercial standpoint, CSM is replicable and scalable across large parts of the developing world, offering the promise of widespread development impacts and significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions. By helping establish proof-of-concept in Mozambique, Novozymes intends to catalyze the development of agriculture, food and ethanol industries in developing countries, creating new, sustainable, bio-based markets.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
CleanStar Mozambique is essentially competing with charcoal. Given that we price our solution at the same level but offer greater convenience and functionality, we are confident that we can reach our goal of at least 20% market share by end 2014. Also, we are including the charcoal value-chain players in our new value chain, so we expect minimum resistance from incumbents. It could be argued that we are also competing against other (largely only emerging) cooking solutions like LPG and electricity, but they are weak on various accounts (notably cost and safety) so we do not see them as major threats.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
The first idea came in 2008, when I saw that sustainable biofuels could be a driver of rural development in sub-Saharan Africa, leveraging energy markets to drive investment in agriculture (as opposed to food markets rendered largely dysfunctional by agricultural policies in rich world). The first idea was to develop large mono-culture farms producing transport fuel for export to e.g. Europe. However, after extensive consultations with a plethora of organisations (incl. future business partner CleanStar Ventures) and extensive studies, the focus changed to smallholder-based agro-forestry to produce ethanol for cooking fuel. This change maintains the overall idea but has many more positive impacts. The final concept (as has been implemented) came into shape around mid-2010.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
By end 2012 we had: 1) over 1300 smallholder farmers involved in the venture; 2) over 150 employees in the company, across the value chain; 3) over 4000 ethanol stoves sold.
What is your projected impact over the next 1 to 3 years?
By 2014 CleanStar Mozambique will eliminate demand for charcoal that causes approximately 4,000 ha worth of native forest loss annually by providing 80,000 households with the ethanol-based cooking solution. The greenhouse gas GHG reductions from eliminating charcoal demand will be about 500,000 tons of CO2eq per annum, assuming each stove reduced emissions by around 6 tons CO2eq per annum. Additionally, the venture will ensure the restoration and reforestation of 2.4 million native trees in shelterbelts over the 3,000 ha of smallholder land with mixed native tree species. This will involve over 2,000 farmers whose incomes will be tripled.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
At this point we see few realistic "show-stoppers". However, one is extreme weather, with the risk of wiping out the smallholder production systems before they are sufficiently resilient. While we can plan to deal with this (supporting farmers, getting insurance as possible, etc.), it could break the business.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat is the benefit or value you're creating for your business?
The CleanStar Mozambique project is in line with Novozymes’ commercial strategies. Novozymes has a strong presence in developed markets as well as in large emerging markets like China, Brazil and India, but many of the company’s technologies also fit the needs of businesses and people in less developed markets that are also experiencing high growth. Novozymes has thus been looking at how to bring its technologies more effectively to these markets, well aware of the need to be innovative with business models and partnerships. CSM is the first attempt.
How are you leveraging internal resources (funds, time, knowledge, etc.) to support this initiative?
Novozymes has allocated significant resources to the development of CleanStar Mozambique, incl. a few million dollars in equity and debt financing, several key staff (at first just me but eventually a team of 8), the enabling technology to make the ethanol, and bringing key partner organisations to the table (incl. ICM). At first resources were secured through the sponsorship of our CEO, but as we progressed, the project has achieved elevated and more formal status in the company (now headed by our Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of Stakeholder relations).
Expand on your answer, explaining the long-term funding and support plan.
The ambition is to work with our partners (notably CleanStar Ventures) to replicate the business model in other regions of Mozambique and other countries currently relying heavily on charcoal for cooking. This will involve additional financial, human and technical resources, the levels of which are currently being discussed with the aim of announcing a plan in Q1 2013.
Tell us about your partnerships across your company and externally that are key to your project's success.
Novozymes and CleanStar Ventures have jointly founded CleanStar Mozambique and have since joined forces with ICM (US-based world leader in ethanol production plants), Dometic (Sweden-based business that produces the world’s leading ethanol cookstove), Bank of America Merrill Lynch (world leader in carbon finance) and Soros Economic Development Fund (world leading Impact Investor).
What internal support have you gotten for your project? What kind of push-back have you received?
Originally the project was supported directly by our CEO. As the project progressed and matured it was given a wider backing, headed by our Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President of Stakeholder relations. Initial push-back was rife at all levels of the organisation, but the support base grew rapidly as milestones were achieved and the project now enjoys widespread support.
Created on 01/14/2013 by Anth
Dragon Social Responsibility aim to provide public awareness and direct funding for deserving causes and organisations by supporting our clients to add a social, external and non-operational emphasis to their activites, in return for the provision of our unique CSR services and benefits.
read more ↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about yourself/your team.
Dragon SR is a new operation bringing together a small team of experienced experts from the world of community development & conservation project implementation and the finance and consultancy sectors.
With vast experience in both sectors from Europe, Africa and Asia the team includes specialist experience in, amongst others, assessing and implementing social and environmental projects, crisis preparedness, social and traditional media interaction, business auditing, on and offline content creation, CSR and business consultancy.
Based in Malaysia but with a scope that aims to include South East Asia and beyond, the experience of the team and flexibility of the business model allows the company to think beyond national borders in terms of client partners and project implemantation.
What makes you an intrapreneur? What are the skills, capabilities, and personality traits that make you an intrapreneur?
Having worked across the Financial & Consulting sector for 9 years & the Expedition & Social/Enviro Project Implemtation industry for 7 years, I've attained experience and knowledge from both, much of it transferable across industries, that gives me confidence and enthusiasm that the lessons learned can be shared. More socially aware corporates and more business like social enterprises, sharing insights and working together can make a lasting difference.
Unafraid to make mistakes but with (hopefully) the experince to spot them before they happen, I aim to make Dragon SR a portal for Corporates and Social Enterprises alike.
I'm driven to succeed but have an empathy often missing in corporates and I hope to convince others that Social Responsibility can be about just that!
Primary country where this project is creating social impact
Additional countries or regions
South East Asia, Africa, Latin America
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read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Start-Up (a pilot that has just begun operating)
The Need: What social or environmental problem are you trying to solve?
To many onlookers current Corporate Social Responsibility programmes and some NGO/NFP organisations have drifted away from their original honourable intentions, with CSR seeming more and more concerned with share value and streamlining processes than social concerns and some NGOs/NFPs looked upon sceptically with unnecessary overheads and little transparency for their actions.
Not For Profits are often uncertain that a business will follow through with their funding intentions, whilst businesses often wonder how their funds are spent with little feedback. This leads to rather insipid CSR programmes focused on internal factors with little social focus and a lack of funding for deserving and essential projects with funds difficult to attract or going to less deserving programs.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Dragon SR aim to actively support companies with entirely new or purely internally focussed CSR programmes to engage with social and environmental projects external to their own business. These could be projects with a specific link to their area of operations or entirely separate.
Before introducing a client to a project, the NGO/NFP will be assessed by Dragon SR on various criteria to understand its aims, sustainability and transparency amongst other factors to ascertain as far as possible how the client's funds will be used and offer certain assurances for the client, whilst the project itself recieves funding guarantees from the client.
In return Dragon SR will then provide various CSR and marketing services to the client including Annual Report CSR compliance, regular project feedback and reports, Cause Related Marketing, client facing content for internal use, customer facing content for external use and support for their ongoing CSR and staff engagement activities.
The Solution: Why is this solution innovative for your company and industry?
As it stands the CSR industry is booming, but in our opinion it has lost sight of the original premise of social responsibility being now concerned with reducing overheads, increasing profit and adding value for the shareholder to whom most of the corporate responsibility seems to be aimed at.
Dragon SR aim to re-align the focus of CSR showing that it need not be at the expense of good business practices while at the same time providing funding streams for deserving causes
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities.
The end goal in everything that dragon SR does is to create awareness for and help support some of the most deserving causes on the planet, be they social, environmental, scientific, the arts or otherwise. However, at every point our activities aim to benefit the clients, projects and social awareness together. As part of our remit we hope to use the Dragon SR online presence as a portal to create awareness not just for the projects and the clients funding them but for social and environmental causes in general, encouraging open discussion and ideas and featuring projects and programmes whether they are linked directly to Dragon SR or not.
This awareness has the added benefit of creating interest from potential new clients who would bring more funding.
Once engaged a we sit down with a client to understand their current Social Responsibility activities and see how our services can support them and at this point see if their interest lies with operationally linked projects (a property developer funding a housing project) or entirely separate (an MD's personal interest in Women's Rights programmes).
Before linking a business and a cause the Dragon SR team will personally visit a project (if they are new to us) to understand more about its aims and management processes in order to protect both the client's potential funding and also make sure the client is right for the project.
Once linked with funding streams put in place our team use both new and traditional media to create awareness of the partnership and implement the more traditional client CSR services.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
Whilst there are many CSR consultants in the Malaysian and SEA market as part of large international corporations or in house teams, most focus on what we call "Internal CSR" with only a small percentage of time dedicated to external Social Responsibility which is generally left to the company itself to arrange for better or worse. Of the locally based consultancies only one other offers specific Project Consultation offering to link their client with a partner project.
Our most obvious asset is the experience in working on both sides of the funding fence, being able to bring both Corporate and in-field project experience to our activities, giving us a unique position in the marketplace when offering SR services.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
I struggled for many years to find funding for community and enviro projects I was involved in. Then in spring 2012 I was invited to an AGM for a company in KL during which I saw a speaker from the HR department proudly present the group's CSR activites for the previous year and announce they met all the requirements expected for a listed company on the Malaysian Exch, but in my oppinion met none of the requirements expected to be Socially Responsible.
Deciding to look further into this I found many Annual Reports contained CSR sections that counted basic staff training, the stopping of ilegal operational practices and in one case the increase of parking space size for management as CSR. The better cases shouted about the money being saved through staff and process streamlining. Only a small percentage reported tangible CSR activites that represented Social Responsibility.
Understanding why Corporate funding was so difficult to source in SEA the seeds of Dragon SR were planted.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
As we have been operating for only a matter of weeks our impact has been limited thus far (though fingers crossed) but we have actively helped raise awareness for a number of organisations and causes through our activities and received vital support and great feedback from CSR experts and Social/Enviro changemakers alike, so we believe we are on the right track.
More specifically we are currently looking to support some of the team aiming to re-assess current legislation regarding CSR compliance for Malaysian listed companies which at the moment is very loose. We hope to be able to offer future clients more specifc advice on what constitutes adherence to future legislation and how funding through us can help meet those requirements.
A different example can be seen through one of our potential clients who hope to fund through us in order to help improve their public reputation in response to some very specific critisicm aimed at them regarding the environmental policies.
What is your projected impact over the next 1 to 3 years?
Over the first three years of operation we aim to increase from 3 to 10 clients, supporting their CSR programmes, improving the quality of Social Responsibility activities and helping to define for them causes which not only deserve their support but have long term sustainable and tangible goals.
We hope to support the ongoing development of CSR Reporting legislation in South East Asia, helping to shape what actually constitutes CSR and what should iare actually just general operational activities.
We aim to support through raising awareness and client funding 10 - 20 social and environmental programmes and offer those that require it advice on the various criteria that responsible donating clients look at when choosing a recipient project to support.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
Current CSR Reporting legislation for listed companies in Malaysia requires companies listed on the stock exchange to report their CSR activities but provides little information on what those should be leading to a situation where hundreds of listed companies report a huge range of activities many of which have little to do with CSR.
This lack of lack of definition gives no incentive to companies to change their current CSR practices and may hinder our growth. To this end we are actively engaging business leaders and government officials to offer our support for and find out more about future changes to CSR reporting legislation which can be fed directly into our clients in order to support their future adherence to new legislation.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat is the benefit or value you're creating for your business?
As the company founder and Managing Director my influence runs through Dragon SR shaping what we do yet hoping to be shaped by the people I have chosen to work alongside me.
I have pulled together a small team with specific experience to help us grow into a fully operational enterprise, who mirror my own enthusiasm and passion for what we are building together.
At the moment our services are based on my experience but I will look to add to that with staff and partners that can help our company and services evolve beyond my initial ideas.
How are you leveraging internal resources (funds, time, knowledge, etc.) to support this initiative?
We are fortunate because the business model we have chosen has little by way of initial set-up costs or ongoing overheads during the formative months. We are a small team working wirelessly from an office at the MD's residence with a flexible working routine.
The two directors of the company are working without pay and are supporting the low overheads through external work until we arrive at the point that the company can sustainably operate without support and can increase staff numbers organically.
Until then all 5 members of the team (MD, CFO, Sales Manager, Sales exec and the Marketing, Conent and Social Media manager) will cover all elements of the job each selling, writing content, networking and supporting the company as required.
Expand on your answer, explaining the long-term funding and support plan.
The current small team can opperate and meet client service levels for the foreseeable future with the current projected client numbers and the Directors covering any initial financial requirements beyond that. The business model does not foresee a time when outside investment will be required unless the company is a much greater initial success than anticipated, at which point outside funding may be required to meet our own service commitments, especially regarding the assessment of new projects which would require further costs.
We aim to make the growth of the company as organic as possible to prevent overstretching our requirements and enable us to focus as much of our time as possible on finding funds for the recipient projects.
Tell us about your partnerships across your company and externally that are key to your project's success.
Key external contacts that will shape our initial success are the network of organisations and projects I assessed during my previous role. These "pre-assessed" projects in South East Asia, Africa and Latin America, covering community development, environmental conservation and sustainable energy amongst other subjects, enable us to have a ready list of partners that we can use as examples of responsible and sustainable projects when negotiating with potential clients.
What internal support have you gotten for your project? What kind of push-back have you received?
Though this question is not necessarily applicable to Dragon SR at this stage, I would say that the passion and commitment of my small team has taken me by surprise so far. One team member even quit their job and moved 7000 miles to help make the company a success. With that sort of passion on show I'm extremely confident about our prospects.
Created on 01/14/2013 by Miriam Turner
Building a community-based value chain for discarded nylon fishing nets which will:
• improve the coastal & marine ecosystem
• create supplementary income for coastal communities
• supply Interface with an innovative source of recycled material for its core product
read more ↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about yourself/your team.
The Co-innovation team itself is very small, very new – and a very exciting place to work! As AVP Co-innovation I support the business to innovate together across regions and functions by becoming more 'permeable', open and collaborative.
The project in this application is not our first attempt at inclusive business. I brokered a partnership with an social enterprise which launched in 2008 but was not successfully commercialised (see vimeo). Learning is richest when things haven't quite gone as planned, and in retrospect without that 'successful failure' this project would not have flowered.
We’ve been incubating this particular idea since 2011 and have built a brilliant cross-disciplinary team from inside and outside the company to develop, prototype and now grow this new project.
What makes you an intrapreneur? What are the skills, capabilities, and personality traits that make you an intrapreneur?
Sustainability is ‘the mother of all collaborations’ so I have always mixed and matched expertise and ideas from inside and outside the company in pursuit of sustainable innovations.
Not all of them have been successful, but what I have honed is my ability to work across sectors and geographies on projects with a higher purpose. I broker and translate between partners, and of course 'navigate' the project's passage through the corporate landscape.
I get excited when someone says “that won’t work because x”, or “we’ve tried that already and it’s not worth it because y“. Why? Because I honestly believe we can overcome systemic challenges by getting the right people in the room and asking the right question... (And anyway, if it were easy it would boring, right?!)
Primary country where this project is creating social impact
Additional countries or regions
We are also at an earlier stage in India and West Africa (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal)
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read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (your pilot is up and running, and starting to expand)
The Need: What social or environmental problem are you trying to solve?
Around 640,000T of discarded fishing ends up in the oceans each year, or 10 percent of the world total of marine debris, (FAO/UNEP study). Many fishing nets discarded due to wear and tear and then replaced. In developing countries, Artisanal fishers often dispose of their nets on beaches - where they cause pollution - or in the sea, where they can last for centuries continuing to catch or injure marine life - a process known as “ghost fishing”.
The fishers that discard these nets are often living in extreme poverty and locked into declining fisheries which are only further degraded by ghost nets. 23 million people rely on the oceans for their livelihood and have few opportunities to break the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Global carpet tile manufacturer Interface, and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a conservation NGO, have teamed up to develop an innovative supply chain approach that aims to tackle the environmental problem of discarded fishing nets whilst helping to address issues of poverty and overfishing: We’ve christened this partnership ‘Net-Works’.
Building a community-based value chain for discarded nylon fishing nets will:
- improve the coastal & marine ecosystem
- create supplementary income for coastal communities
Nets will then purchased by one of Interface's yarn suppliers, Aquafil who will recycle them to new carpet yarn. This will provide Interface an innovative source of recycled material for its core product.
We have tested and are expanding this solution in Danajon Bank - a double barrier reef in the centre of the Philippines, and one of the most degraded coral reefs in the world. The area has high population densities as well as high levels of poverty.
The Solution: Why is this solution innovative for your company and industry?
I worked on Interface’s first foray on inclusive business in 2006 . The product was not core and the line was discontinued. This is our first inclusive model on core product.
Our yarn supplier (Aquafil) purchases thousands of tonnes of feedstock pa - including some industrial trawler nets . So it’s not new that fishing gear has gone into nylon yarn. What is new is the socio-economic and conservation benefit created by supplying this demand in a different way.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities.
Imagine you live on Danajon Bank in the Philippines in a village..
You find it tough to get cash other than through fishing which is becoming more and more difficult as stocks decline. Through a community organiser you hear about a village meeting – you learn that you can join a Village Saving and Loan Association (VSLA) which will give you access to financial services. You don’t have much to bank in the first place though… and loans are always such high interest rates. At the meeting you learn that your old fishing nets can be deposited instead of cash! A simple test kit is demonstrated and it seems easy to run - if the prong melts the net it’s the right material, and pretty much all the nets used around here are the right stuff. When you go crab fishing you have to replace hundreds of metres of nets every few months. You had no idea this material was valuable to someone else. It turns out that for every 2 kilo of net you could buy almost one kilo of rice. This sounds better than some of the ‘craft’ training sessions you have done before – difficult to get the hang of and then the orders dry up. It actually turns out that the nets last for hundreds of years and when you use them to protect your seaweed farm they get washed out to sea and end up killing fish that you then never get to catch and sell. You hadn't realized that your used nets would do this... You let your neighbors know about the next meeting..they're too old to fish now and don't have nets themselves,but there are plenty they could collect from beaches right by their house...
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
Many organisations are working on vital projects to tackle marine debris, alternative livelihoods for poor fishing communities and conservation programmes. What is exciting about Net-Works is that it integrates many of these aspects into one programme which has the potential to be commercially viable longer term and not propped up by aid/charity. Conservation experts also seem interested in how this programme integrates financial services with conservation objectives.
The waste nylon market is nascent in the areas we are working most successfully so far. If local competitors for nylon emerge and are able to pay a higher price this will challenge the model. The differentiating factor is the access to financial services that our model offers communities.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
“Couldn’t we buy nets from communities in India we worked with on that other project” our Sustainabilty Director Ramon Arratia asked me, after learning that one of our major suppliers was purchasing trawler nets made of nylon to feed their huge recycling plant. I’d started “the other project” in 2006 as Interface’s first foray into inclusive business. It wasn’t core nylon product, but a new natural fibre range, and had been discontinued. Could this be an opportunity to bring an inclusive model to carpet, and differentiate us from other recycled carpet? Hmm.. I started badgering smart people in the marine and development sectors about artisanal fisheries - the volume of nets? what happened at the end of their life? who owned them? who made them? We got some of these people in a room together in London in 2011 . The “aha” moment? Dr Hill reviewing his PhD and calculating that enough net was discarded annually from a handful of Filipino villages to go round the world more than once..
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
A pilot was run for 6 months which successfully completed in October 2012. We chose to run the pilot in the Philippines, which is global centre of marine shore fish biodiversity, but it faces some of the greatest levels of threat of all marine areas globally.
The objectives were to:
• Build a detailed model plan with options for implementation
• Build the social infrastructure and implement net collection in 6 communities (the target – which was met – was to collect 1-2 tonnes by the end of 6 months)
• Initial evaluation of social and environmental impacts (after 6 months)
• Improved understanding of costs involved in implementing and supporting this programme
Our real impact so far has therefore been limited to the 6 pilot communities in Danajon Bank, where training, beach clean ups and supplementary income was generated.
The pilot demonstrated that the model of working through VSLAs/MFIs was viable and that running costs once scaled could be covered by cash flow.
What is your projected impact over the next 1 to 3 years?
Project impact from first full year (from Nov 2012 - Nov 2013)
1. Improved access to financial services (through initiation of VSLAs/MFIs) for 1,400 people by helping them to manage household finances and improve their capacity to access basic services (e.g. education, health, housing).
2. Measurable improvements in the condition of beaches and mangrove areas
3. Reduced the practice of burning waste (and associated detrimental health affects)
4. Measurable reduction in the practice of discarding nets at sea (and associated effects of “ghost fishing”)
5. Diversified livelihoods resulting in increased resilience to shocks and disasters from the sale of nets into rural and impoverished communities (average family income is < £100/month)
6. Full-time employment for 4 local people
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
Exporting ‘waste’ has been challenging so we've e worked with our yarn supplier from the start of the project to ensure material can make it the final leg to their plant at the correct purity level and packed density.
The emergence of competition for buying the waste nets could represent a challenge if they match or exceed our pricing. Unfortunately for the planet there is little sign of this in many poor regions where plastic waste like nets is most of a problem. We are designing for this now though, by making sure that engaging with our value chain brings additional non monetary benefits of access to financial services through the VSLAs, and by working in remote areas that are unlikely to be attractive to more conventional operations.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat is the benefit or value you're creating for your business?
Thanks in part to Interface’s sustainability leadership 100% recycled nylon yarn is now manufactured by Aquafil, one of our major suppliers. This nylon is purchased by us and our competitors, and others outside our industry.
Net-Works takes ‘recycled’ up a notch. By supplying our supplier and having exclusivity on the story we give our salesforce an important sustainability differentiator at core product level in a mature and highly competitive market. This 'social ingredient brand' could ultimately supply other sectors too (e.g. auto/electronics)
How are you leveraging internal resources (funds, time, knowledge, etc.) to support this initiative?
I’ve had the pleasure of working with colleagues across all disciplines on this project to support ZSL on this project. Our small Co-innovation team has worked with procurement, legal, marketing, design, sustainability and technical teams to put this new value chain together and plan how to integrate it into an offering for our customers.
Funds have covered expert scoping trips in India, West Africa and the Philippines . After selecting the Philipppines for the pilot we invested in a 6 month pilot and have just secured Interface commitment for a year long expansion of the model into Growth phase.
Expand on your answer, explaining the long-term funding and support plan.
We see the role of Interface as connector , catalyst and market maker. But we will not ‘prop up’ or otherwise subsidise the model. It must stand alone and supply our supplier at market prices in the long term. Our pilot demonstrated that in Danajon Bank the ongoing maintenance costs can be covered by cash flow.
Set up costs (all research, model iteration and piloting) have been invested by Interface . We are starting to explore how set up costs for expansion into other areas could be sought elsewhere, or seeded concurrently to accelerate scaling speed. The longer term plan for replication in SE Asia and beyond is to build our learning into a Net-Works ‘tool-kit’’ that development agencies and/or conservation groups can integrate when working in coastal communities the world over.
Tell us about your partnerships across your company and externally that are key to your project's success.
ZSL and local partner PSF bring scientific rigor and local expertise which has put meat on the bones of an idea and made it happen. We have pulled in many other external organisations and experts – many of whom have collaborated both formally and on their own time.
I also talk about this seminars I give - we have ended up collaborating with engineering students from Imperial to make sure our nylon ID methods will work in the field and can be replaced in country.
What internal support have you gotten for your project? What kind of push-back have you received?
Interface has been extremely supportive of this initiative. We have kept investment request incremental and reasonably low (<£250K total since 2011).This has supported numerous small assignments with various experts globally to assess viability and partnership opportunities in different parts of the world.
Push back has been limited until the investment requests expand which is why we continue to work hard to show the model can maintain itself once established.
My Clean City is a multi-pillar campaign, working at a national level to collaborate with already existing environmental organizations, promoting action regarding climate change.
Our Pillars:
1. To bring awareness to eco-friendly living; encouraging cities at a local level to be involved in reducing their carbon footprint.
Transport Industry. My project will be an addition to the successful Metro Raillway Projects.
Describe the growth rate and recent trends of your market that may represent disruptive changes or opportunities for new players like you.
If integration for the latest available technologies(like, Tower Crane, Elevators, Roller Coasters, etc) is possible, we can use them in Public Service, all over the world. There will be unlimited demand for all these products/services.
Who are your potential and current, direct and indirect competitors in market?
Created on 11/12/2012 by avdavey
Transparency is a value of GlaxoSmithKline. As a GSK employee, I have knowledge on sustainability from the corporate web sites. I feel we are missing virtual media programs. If we use videos related to the greening of GSK, our employees will become more aware of their personal roles in the environmental efforts.
read more ↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about yourself/your team.
I have worked with GlaxoSmithKline since 1983. I have worked as a field based professional sales representative over those years. During these years I have also mentored many team mates. I find a lot of GSK employees do not have a strong background on the environment. Over the last 4 months I have worked in a non-profit setting. The company produces environmental based videos for the city of Philadelphia. I have become very aware of the sustainable living conditions. I also can see why my colleagues in GSK might not have as strong an awareness concerning the environment. My proposal is to present GlaxoSmithKline a series of videos that they could be used to help their employees better understand how the company has begun its work towards becoming more sustainable.
What makes you an intrapreneur? What are the skills, capabilities, and personality traits that make you an intrapreneur?
I am a strong believer in educating others. I have mentored others over many years in areas of ethics, integrity, finances, business skills, and selling techniques. I have now become aware of the need to live a more sustainable lifestyle. My company was one of my motivators. They have decided to construct new buildings, along with updating their older facilities using LEED guidelines. I also have had an opportunity to work at GreenTreks Networks Inc over the last 4 months. My knowledge and skills related to educating others has grown 10 fold over this time period. I believe with the introduction of the multimedia tools GreenTreks produces, we will be able to change the behaviors and understandings of the environmental field with many GSK employees.
Company Country
United States, CT, Wallingford, New Haven County
Primary country where this project is creating social impact
United States, CT, Wallingford, New Haven County
Additional countries or regions
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read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Start-Up (a pilot that has just begun operating)
The Need: What social or environmental problem are you trying to solve?
The primary area of need relates to GSK. They have been constructing LEED certified buildings; however, they do not publicize to the teams outside of the local areas that these building are being constructed. GlaxoSmithKline employees are very motivated with the GSK value messages. We can increase their knowledge by educating them about sustainable solutions. A second area of need involves my daughter who is an environmental scientist. One of her responsibilities is to explain stormwater management and sustainable lifestyles to employees of city governments and local corporations. She always utilized power point presentations to explain these lifestyles. One major thing I have learned is a picture tells a thousand stories. Power point presentations do not tell a very good story.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
GlaxoSmithKline has a great opportunity to explain their construction efforts to their employees using GreenTreks which presents a motivating communication method. Videos that GreenTreks provide give a foundational understanding for the general public and a more in depth multimedia resource for professionals. The films are short, between 5-9 minutes and can be utilized by GlaxoSmithKline as well as other corporations. These documentaries help educate employees, their family and friends about the need to clean up waste such as chemicals, fertilizers and excess storm water drainage which normally flow into the local sewers and waterways. All of the videos are available through the Vimeo or GreenTreks web sites. They can be added to a presentation on power point or a free standing presentation on a web cast. By keeping the teaching methods simple, we can draw more people into the programming because stories come alive through videos.
The Solution: Why is this solution innovative for your company and industry?
I had a discussion with the GlaxoSmithKline sustainability manager on November 14, 2012. We reviewed the different methods the company uses to explain environmental programs to the employees. She agreed that the use of a video communication tool would help open the eyes of the GSK community to gain a better understanding about the environment around them. At the present GSK does not use any videos to explain this topic.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities.
When the amount of rain falling exceeds the land's ability to absorb it, the result is stormwater runoff. Without treatment, most of the stormwater that runs from the land into our waterways is unhealthy for people and bad for the environment. Runoff can carry chemicals, metals, bacteria, viruses, organic compounds, and other pollutants directly into creeks, lakes, rivers, and streams. Stormwater runoff can cause severe erosion and flooding.
GlaxoSmithKline has recognized some of these problems and has now started to correct them. The company has decided to build LEED certified buildings along with increased sustainable work sites. They have presented and increased the awareness of programs like 2 degrees a sustainable website for their employees. We now can increase the way our colleagues gain a stronger education by the introduction of GreenTreks videos with graphic views concerning the problem of pollution. These films also explain the concepts related to decreasing stormwater waste. Some examples they provide include the cost saving methods of rain barrels and rain garden usage. The use of interesting multimedia and social networking can only increase the comfort level of the employees to watch these productions.
I had the opportunity to send one of the GreenTreks videos to my teammates in New England. The feedback was very positive. The primary comment was I did not realize that stormwater down a sewer could cause problems. This is the reason I would like this proposal to be recognized.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
GlaxoSmithKline has utilized the social media sites like email and Twitter to inform its employees. GSK also promotes a sustainability site but when I asked about 25 teammates in the field if they had ever viewed the site, no one even knew about it.
Throughout the world there are many companies which produce videos relating to the environment. Often they are for profit organizations. As a non profit communication based company, GreenTreks believes in educating others with a specific goal of inspiring people to take action. On the large scale, Discovery Education has a fee-based teacher resource center which provides access to videos online, but it is expensive, unwieldy, and does not provide the local content or Service Learning partnerships that GreenTreks offers.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
My personal “Aha” moment occurred when my daughter an environmental scientist asked me a question on sustainability and I did not understand what she was talking about. I realized that we view the world sometimes through rose colored glasses. I decided to become more aware of my surroundings and the environmental subject. Working with GreenTreks over the last 5 months and GSK over the last 29 years has opened my eyes. I have changed my way of thinking about sustainable living. I am very motivated about the topic; my goal is to motivate others.
GreenTreks’ Mission is: "To inspire people to take action towards a more sustainable lifestyle." The statement “Telling Stories that Change the World” was coined in the 1990's to emphasize the need to educate the community about the present and future environmental concerns. GreenTreks has helped me view the topic of sustainablility through the use of videos. I believe we can help others understand the subject with these same films.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
GlaxoSmithKline’s plan to show LEED concept buildings is exciting. With the introduction of new media formats such as; videos, Facebook and Twitter, GSK can now explain its new building techniques to its employees throughout the world. This can only increase the use of these important methods in local communities and households. One of GlaxoSmithKline's values is transparency. This gives the corporation an added form of education for their team mates.
Evolving from a one-page profile into an Emmy award-winning television series reaching into more than 5 million homes throughout Pennsylvania, the personal story became GreenTreks hallmark approach. GreenTreks has produced dozens of television programs that have aired on television and cable access stations in all major markets in the country. GreenTreks goal includes introduction of these concepts into corporate settings to better educate the whole community. We now can bring two important sustainable organizations together.
What is your projected impact over the next 1 to 3 years?
I believe that GSK can increase awareness of their employees about sustainable living with easy to understand videos. Communities change with ideas brought to them from their residents. This proposal will help change some future developments in these communities. The concept that a corporation can help their community is now opening other ideas. Let us educate our employees so they can inform their communities about these exciting topics. Over the years GreenTreks has focused their efforts on meeting the needs of teachers and those who are charged with protecting Pennsylvania's precious water resources. They utilized projects which engaged their target audiences through compelling content. We now have an opportunity to coordinate these projects into the corporate world.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
The outreach to the GlaxoSmithKline employees might be an issue. How will this material be presented to the teams? I propose that GSK use their internal website to offer these videos to the community.
A second issue is funding for the projects, this is always a barrier. Film production costs can be too high for some companies to absorb. GlaxoSmithKline has a great opportunity to use GreenTreks as a source of production. GreenTreks utilizes the same dedicated team for all their programs. These teams produce specific films on sustainable environmental products. Therefore they have the knowledge and techniques to cut down the cost of these productions.
The employees barrier is the lack of understanding of the problem . These short productions might open their eyes.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideWhat is the benefit or value you're creating for your business?
With the increased knowledge the GSK employees gain about the corporation, the prouder they will be over time. Transparency and integrity are values GSK strives for. These values open the door for more knowledge about important subjects like sustainability. Often corporations explain things utilizing email, web social media, or conference calling. I feel that the addition of short videos which explain specific topics like environmental sustainability will help employees become more aware and proactive with their use of products they learn about.
How are you leveraging internal resources (funds, time, knowledge, etc.) to support this initiative?
I have worked for the last 5 months at GreenTreks under an approved volunteer program through GSK. Some of my responsibility includes coordination of projects like this, with other corporations. I have added GlaxoSmithKline to the list of Greentreks potential clients. I will continue to have discussions on the easiest way to present these videos and topics to the corporate community.
GreenTreks Networks Inc has many videos in their library. These films show important concepts like rain gardens, rain barrels and stormwater management. Grants have been provided by the Philadelphia Water Department, EPA and other organizations to produce more documentaries.
Bringing the two organizations together opens a new form of dialogue for the employees of GSK.
Expand on your answer, explaining the long-term funding and support plan.
I believe as GSK reviews this project they will provide funding and guidance on the new LEED projects they are constructing. GlaxoSmithKline has many complexes in the world. They upgrade them constantly. It is common that they inform the employees and public about these changes. The idea of videography opens a new window for the company to provide a different view of the changes. I believe other corporations will have a strong interest in providing their employees a view of their corporate changes. More funding will be available for specific needs of each organization. Many of these corporations might just buy these videos directly from GreenTreks. GreenTreks will provide a new learning concept for the companies and an educational tool giving the employees priceless knowledge.
Tell us about your partnerships across your company and externally that are key to your project's success.
On November 14, I spoke with Celia Ponder, US sustainability manager for GSK concerning this project. She thought it would be a very feasible program for the company. My primary goal will include the initial use of one of GreenTreks videos on stormwater management. My secondary goal will be the production of new videos which GSK will fund. On an external level, I work with other corporations which believe in the education of their employees about these topics.
What internal support have you gotten for your project? What kind of push-back have you received?
Celia Ponder, the US sustainability manager for GSK and I spoke on 11/14/12. She commented that she thought the program could benefit the company. She has recommended me to Kate Bell UK Engagement Leader (GSK). I am in the process of contacting the whole GSK sustainability team. At the present the majority of comments have been positive. Having transparency as a value of GSK helps because we do believe in opening people’s eyes to programs like sustainability.
The Rainbow Recycling Campaign is a project to promote consumer and manufacturing responsibility of consumable products world wide. My solution is to use representative colors and symbols that can easily be recognized anywhere in the world. Representative colors and symbols provide a visual cue for anyone to properly recycle disposable products. A RED container represents metals, as metals require extreme heat to melt. A GREEN container would represent paper products as paper products come from trees. A YELLOW container would represent organic products grown from the yellow light of the sun.
Portal for sustainable living, commerce and investment supported by advanced search functions and linkages to channel partners to drive traffic and content.
Created on 09/12/2012 by jcasey@wwfcanada.org
Approximately 20 words left (160 characters).
Organization: WWF-Canada
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry where this solution is creating social impact
Canada, BC, District of Kent
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Vancouver.
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long have you been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
Which of the following best describes the barrier(s) your solution addresses? Choose up to two
Equity.
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
In BC, like many other jurisdictions around the world, funding needed to implement the latest in conservation practices is exceeding funding being made available through various levels of government. So while solutions to protecting biodiversity such as the implementation of wider buffers around our rivers or the development of better rain water management approaches are well known we continually struggle to implement these solutions. One innovative approach that is gaining momentum is the concept of reverse auctions.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
In a reverse auction the “goal is to purchase environmental goods or services, bids are specified in terms of cost per environmental outcome achieved and are then ranked from lowest to highest.” The environmental goods can be provided by any party that has the potential to deliver meaningful amounts of predetermined services such as reduced nutrient loading. Funds can come from any entity looking to secure protection of environmental services and could be managed through a local credit union or auction house which can take a fee for services rendered.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
In the US reverse auction have been applied to best practices associated with agricultural practices. Reverse auctions could be applied to similar situations here in BC as well. Reverse auctions could help address the actions needed to assist in the recovery of Threatened and Endangered species here in BC. For instance, in the lower Fraser aquatic species such as Nooksack Dace, Salish Sucker and Oregon Spotted Frog all have recovery strategies calling for best practices associated with agricultural land practices, storm water management, and hydrology impacts. Applications of reverse auction in other parts of the world have been used to address similar activities. For instance, waste storage facilities, grassed waterways and nutrient management stacking pads where all offered by private farmers as services to reduce Phosphorus (P) runoff in an reverse auction held in the US. The rewards to farmers ranged from $2.36 per pound to $54.33 per pound of reduced P. In total, a reduction of roughly 90,000 pounds of P was achieved.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
There are few peers in this market place. Most market-based payments for ecosystem service approaches currently focus on carbon. This approach would address a range of other values. Currently the government is looked to as the primary source of funding for compensation for actions that protect ecosystem services. This is starting to change and I would like to see BC at the leading edge of this shift.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
As a conservation practitioner I have had the chance to participate in a number of processes where people are trying to protect species but are stymied but lack of resources. These include numerous species recovery planning processes, large scale marine planning processes and watershed level planning processes. This lack of funding at the project level means I am often looking for funding for projects but there constantly seems to be a scale mismatch. For instance Coca-Cola’s Replenishment program offers funding for ecosystem service provision associated with water resources but implementing such solutions without a market mechanism is often inefficient. I have also been engaged with programs to build means to measure and plan for the provision of ecosystem services such as WWF’s Natural Capital Project but again we have no means of compensating for services provided. I was recently at a small meeting discussing these challenges when someone mentioned the idea of reverse auctions they
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
Develop a means to implement species at risk recovery strategies that would provide benefits to those currently bearing the cost. Over the longer term the hope is to shift the tide of anger in rural Canada against the SARA
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
The solution is just in the start up stage so no impact to date.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
My hoped for impact is that Nooksack Dace, Salish Sucker, Oregon Spotted Frog and other species are secure from threats of habitat loss. Beyond this I would hope that the project become a demonstration of how to use market mechanism to to create a positive relationship between environmental protection and economic sustainability.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
The biggest barrier is that they idea of ecosystem services has out paced the institutional infrastructure we have in place to manage financial and natural resources. This means we may be stymied by a lack of clear rules and rolls associated with such an endeavor. The small focus of the project both in geographic scale, number of stakeholders and number of species limits the amount of institutional infrastructure required this should limit the number of barriers that will arise.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Have a business case for applying such an approach here in the district of Kent.
Task 1
include identifying what ecosystem outcomes are needed to maintain species at risk, who the potential providers of said services
Task 2
we would identify private entities to host such auctions and determine the fee structure that would make it beneficial to such e
Task 3
Finally we would start work on outlining the rules that would apply to such an auction to ensure it functions smoothly and in th
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Hold our first auction to obtain ecosystem services
Task 1
Secure funding pool for ecosystem services
Task 2
Enter agreement with auction provider
Task 3
Recruit willing Land holders to offer bids.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
Right now the idea consist of collaboration between grassroots conservation organizations, large conservation organizations, universities, foundations and restoration practitioners.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
Yes but at different scales and with different ends in mind. Payment for ecosystem services is revolutionizing the practice of conservation. WWF is engaged in global projects like REDD Canadian level projects like conservation financing and local scale projects like this one. We need to work at all these scales to help lift the concept from an idea to a global reality.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
WWF has years of experience leading and implementing cutting edge conservation projects. We have long established mechanism for prioritization, reporting and tracking our work.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
Created on 09/12/2012 by danlewis
Friends of Clayoquot Sound in Tofino will open an Eco-Centre which is designed to tell our story, build our campaigns, and raise funds for campaigning.
Organization: Friends of Clayoquot Sound
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideOrganization Name
Friends of Clayoquot Sound
Country where this solution is creating social impact
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains, Vancouver Island.
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Scaling (the next step will be growing impact on a regional or even global scale)
How long have you been in operation?
Operating for more than 5 years
Which of the following best describes the barrier(s) your solution addresses? Choose up to two
Cost.
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
Tofino is a tourist destination that about 1 million people visit annually from all over the world. At present there is no place where they can come to learn all about Clayoquot's rainforests, the threats to these magnificent ecosystems, and how Canadian history was made protecting them. The FOCS office can fill that niche, but it needs a bit of sprucing up.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Our vision is to renovate the front end and exterior of our office building located in downtown Tofino. The concept is to create a gallery / eco-retail space, with striking images of the wildlife and scenery here, interspersed with iconic historic photos of the mass arrests of 1993. The space will also be a venue for selling t-shirts, hoodies, posters and gift cards—the sort of thing visitors naturally want to buy when on holiday. The emphasis will be on providing education in addition to eco-gifts.
We have access to amazing wildlife and scenery photos from many of BC's leading wilderness photographers. The visitors are coming already, and we have an incredible story to tell of one of the iconic wilderness battles in BC.
Friends of Clayoquot Sound have made history twice already, and need to do it again in order to stop mining and get fish farms out of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This retail space will be a hub of environmental inspiration and action!
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
A visitor to Tofino is eating lunch. They ask their server about the battles to stop the logging of Clayoquot's ancient rainforests. The server is only here for the summer, and is keen to help save Clayoquot Sound, but doesn't really have all the answers or time to provide them. But she knows of the Friends of Clayoquot Sound office through her Tofino Ambassador training at the Chamber of Commerce. She refers the visitor to the Friends of Clayoquot Sound's brand new retail space, where they can stop by and hear directly from FOCS what happened here 20 and 30 years ago, and what is going on right now with the ongoing logging of rainforests, and the threat of an open pit copper mine within sight of Tofino. The visitor gets stoked, purchases some eco-gifts, picks up the latest FOCS newsletter, and joins our Wilderness Team as a monthly donor. They are now engaged, and can begin to join FOCS letter-writing campaigns to help keep Clayoquot Wild!
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
Peers and competitors will be fellow members of the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. The Tofino business community is onside with FOCS goals to protect ecosystems for future generations. Most businesses will be pleased to instruct their guides and employees to send people to FOCS—it provides a better visitor experience for their customers, saves their employees' time, and helps build support for campaigns which are in the interest of business owners in Tofino. There may be some reluctance amongst sellers of t-shirts and similar merchandise to send people to their 'competition', but t-shirts are a sideline for most businesses in Tofino.
We are the only organization in Tofino advocating for protection of Clayoquot Sound from industrial logging, salmon farming and mining.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
was walking through downtown Tofino on a sunny summer day. Hundreds of people are wandering around town looking for something to do. Many are attracted to come here because of the pristine natural environment. Yet our grassroots environmental group does not have adequate funding to run our campaigns to the level we need to. What about if all these people had somewhere to go to learn about the threats to this beautiful place? What if they learned about the history of the successes of our organization, that this is a place on planet Earth where local residents have worked together with local First Nations and succeeded in stopping logging? No doubt we could convince many of them to support our work so Clayoquot Sound remains a place where people will want to visit.
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
Our vision is to renovate the front end and exterior of our office building located in downtown Tofino. The concept is to create a gallery / eco-retail space, with striking images of the wildlife and scenery here, interspersed with iconic historic photos of the mass arrests of 1993. The space will also be a venue for selling t-shirts, hoodies, posters and gift cards—the sort of thing visitors naturally want to buy when on holiday. The emphasis will be on providing education in addition to eco-gifts. We have access to amazing wildlife and scenery photos from many of BC's leading wilderness photographers. This retail space will be a hub of environmental inspiration!
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
Friends of Clayoquot Sound have in past run a similar space to this proposal. The idea definitely worked, but we have never had a professional team look at what we are doing here in order to help us put together an eco-centre that really draws people in an makes us money.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
This eco-centre will provide us with the opportunity to tell our story directly to people who likely care, as they came here for the natural environment. This will help us to build strong international grassroots support to win our campaigns. It will also be able to raise funds which we can devote to campaigning.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
There may be some reluctance amongst sellers of t-shirts and similar merchandise to send people to their 'competition', but t-shirts are a sideline for most businesses in Tofino.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
We will have host a grand opening of the Friends of Clayoquot Sound Eco-Centre during the 2013 Whale Festival!
Task 1
Sound business plan in place.
Task 2
Sound plan for the renovations and design of new space.
Task 3
Product lines clearly identified.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
We are going into our second summer of running the Eco-Centre with improvements made based on Year 1 experience.
Task 3
Revised displays based on campaign needs.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
Peers and competitors will be fellow members of the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce. The Tofino business community is onside with FOCS goals to protect ecosystems for future generations. Most businesses will be pleased to instruct their guides and employees to send people to FOCS—it provides a better visitor experience for their customers, saves their employees' time, and helps build support for campaigns which are in the interest of business owners in Tofino.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
We will need to attract people in Tofino, but we can begin doing that before they arrive through advertising in Tofino Time, which gets wide distribution. We could also look at adding an online component to the store.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
Next year is the 20-year anniversary of the Clayoquot Summer 1993 mass protests. It is a perfect time to launch a retail space which celebrates our past successes and helps us campaign in the present day as well. Friends of Clayoquot Sound have been re-invigorated due to the threat of an open pit copper mine, so the community is keen to assist in any way they can. Attendance at events is up, newsletter distribution has tripled in the past 2 years. Monthly donations are way up, as are overall revenues. We are on a roll, and we have our work cut out for us!
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
Created on 09/12/2012 by lakeambassadors
Approximately 20 words left (160 characters).
Organization: Wildsight
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Canada, BC, East Kootenays
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Kootenay Rockies, Columbia Basin.
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
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read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Scaling (the next step will be growing impact on a regional or even global scale)
How long have you been in operation?
Operating for more than 5 years
Which of the following best describes the barrier(s) your solution addresses? Choose up to two
Cost, Quality.
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
Lake Windermere is surrounded by the Columbia wetlands and forms the headwaters of the Columbia River, which provides freshwater support for 15 million people in the Pacific Northwest. Wildsight developed the Lake Windermere Project because of increasing development pressures impacting the quality of water in the region and the collapse of the burbot fishery. The solution was to engage community members and develop a template that would create a water stewardship culture and ethic in the Columbia Basin. The emphasis was on the protection and enhancement of water quality by means of inter-agency cooperation, scientific monitoring, public education and engagement.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Share the successes of the Lake Windermere Project which was formed in response to growing public demand for an ongoing, comprehensive water stewardship initiative that would engage government and the public to protect and enhance both the lake and surrounding watershed. The focus of the project was on education, stakeholder engagement, water quality monitoring and restoration. The project had a high degree of inter-agency cooperation and represented more than a dozen partners, including all levels of government, First Nations, area NGOs and the public. Specific actions included: providing a weekly educational series in local newspapers, training volunteer water monitors who learned how to take scientifically accredited water samples, partnering with the Canadian Cancer Society to raise awareness about the impacts of pesticides on water and human health, and non-point pollution reduction. Connecting the science with the agents of change - community members — is our continued goal.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
Wildsight's small BC-based community project was successfully used as a model for water stewardship in BC and across Canada. Wildsight, the Lake Winnipeg Foundation and Global Nature Fund have collaborated to create Living Lakes Network Canada, a national network linking science to action for water stewardship across the country. The network has an advisory group of ten of Canada’s top water experts and already has 8 members from the Skeena watershed, Lake Huron, Lake Winnipeg, Federation of Ontario Cottage Owners, Nature Canada, BC Lake Stewardship Society and the Athabasca watershed. We recently hosted our first annual Living Lakes Network Canada conference in Winnipeg to bring attention and joint solutions to the eutrophication problem of the world’s 10th largest fresh water lake. We were able to invite international Living Lakes members from the European Union who provided a very tangible example to conference delegates of eutrophication resolution and restoration of Lake Constance, a lake in Europe whose shores lie in three countries. Another conference outcome was the development of the “Save Lake Winnipeg Coalition” who requested that we present the Lake Windermere Project and Ambassadors concept. We hope to replicate this model throughout BC and Canada.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
Our peers are grassroots citizen-based water stewardship groups, higher-level environmental NGOs, government employees at municipal, provincial, federal and First Nations levels, scientists and academics. Our competitors are other environmental NGOs who compete for the same small pot of charitable donations and funds available in BC. What sets us apart is that we can operate at all levels,municipal, provincial, nationally and internationally which means that we are flexible have more funding sources available to us and we can make projects work where we get the most traction. We also have a product that took us ten years to build, pilot, test and refine. We are currently viewed as experts in our field of citizen-based science training and community engagement.We have been invite
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
The “Aha” moment for us was when we realized that if we want to make a difference in our watershed we could not do it alone. We could not continue to operate in our silo with our traditional partners. Instead, we would have to build bridges across to the various sectors of society. We decided to foster alliances between environmental groups, chambers of commerce, the Canadian Cancer society, local rotary clubs, all levels of government and First Nations. Without this type of non- traditional collaboration the success of the Lake Windermere Project would not have reached fruition. There is no, “them and us: there is “we” and “we” were able to get it done.
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
Public concern for healthy, functioning watersheds continues to rise, while governments reduce their responsibility for monitoring, assessing, and managing these same resources while the implications to watershed health from climate change are daunting. Community based water monitoring has become a trusted avenue for evaluating watershed health on a local level. Our goal is to support communities and groups in BC and across Canada who have expressed the need for assistance in designing and implementing watershed monitoring programs. Water experts in Canada unanimously support the need for standardizing water monitoring, classification and rehabilitation methods. Connecting the science with the agents of change, community members—is our continued goal.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
We have successfully replicated stewardship components of the Lake Windermere Project on 9 other lakes in the East Kootenay Region, and are currently assisting with projects for Kootenay Lake, Slocan Lake and the South Basin of Lake Winnipeg. We have assisted with the grassroots creation of water stewardship programming for the Crowsnest Conservation Society, Friends of Kootenay Lake and Slocan Lake Stewardship Society.
Locally, our water stewardship work has led to science-based direction for lake management planning, and resulted in engagement from a variety of community sectors that otherwise would not align themselves with an environmental initiative. It has created a water stewardship dialogue within our community across all sectors.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
Our projected impact is to spread our successes throughout Canada, for both community-based water stewardship and watershed-scale governance. Through Living Lakes Canada, we will share our experiences, building a knowledge base of water stewardship principles. Specifically in BC, as the province undergoes the modernization of its Water Act, we will work with communities to become better engaged in the solutions surrounding how and where decisions are made with respect to water management and water stewardship.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
Potential barriers include lack of political will to implement key water based management opportunities. Community groups and coalitions can put tremendous resources into collecting and assessing watershed or foreshore health, and if the political will does not exist to implement the results at the municipal, provincial or federal level, these initiatives can get lost.
One key lesson from our project has been that we must engage our political leaders from the beginning and continuously throughout the process. This builds trust and commitment to follow through on the recommendations and outcomes.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Task 1
We will increase community-based training opportunities for applied watershed monitoring by building a capacity for delivering C
Task 2
We will create a watershed health reporting template that can be used by water stewardship groups to communicate their monitorin
Task 3
We will create a watershed stewardship manual, outlining the key pieces to engagement, monitoring and implementation so that com
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Task 1
We will deliver CABIN field training opportunities for 20 groups in BC.
Task 2
We will host a Columbia-Basin wide celebration of water and our watershed, engaging all communities within the Basin and establi
Task 3
We will bring the BC example further afield by hosting the second annual Living Lakes Canada conference at Lake Huron.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
We have partnerships at international, national, provincial, regional, and municipal levels. They include First Nations, all levels of government, NGOs, universities, colleges and water-related think tanks. We currently have over 18 partners including: Polis Project on Ecological Governance; Canada Water Week; Kootenay Lake Partnership; Forum for Leadership On Water); Simon Fraser Adaptation to Climate Change Team; Canadian Indigenous Environmental Resources; WWF –Canada Freshwater program; Canadian Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries Commission.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
Targeted populations are lake stewardship groups throughout BC and Canada. We specifically target lake groups working to protect lakes with high ecological value, are experiencing a high degree of threat, and require community engagement support. Specific areas include the Skeena Watershed, the Columbia Basin, Athabasca Watershed and Lake Winnipeg Watershed.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
Living Lakes Canada is adaptive and can expand or contract our program deliverables based on funding. We have strong partnerships throughout Canada and internationally. The Ambassadors benefit from the broad range of stakeholders participating as our Board of Directors. Though Directors come from a variety of backgrounds, all share the common goal of protecting the lake as a community asset. Our success hinges on a dedicated core group of volunteers and strong relationships with local government and provincial environment agencies. We also benefit from tools and techniques transferred as a legacy of the Lake Windermere Project, and continued mentorship from the Project coordinator.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
Created on 09/12/2012 by bo.ciera
Through Innovative solutions such as Kilimo Biashara subsistence farmers are transformed into commercial farming enabling Equity Bank champion transformation
Organization: Equity Bank Limited
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
For‐profit
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
Has the organization received awards or honors? Please tell us about them
2012 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Ernst & Young
2012 Most Innovative Bank in Africa – African Banker Awards
2011 Best Initiative in Support of SME’s and Millennium Development Goals - Africa Investor Awards
2011 New Sustainability Champions – World Economic Forum
2011 & 2010 African Banker of the Year – African Banker Awards
2009 Yara Prize for Agriculture – Yara Foundation
2007 Global Vision Award in Microfinance – G8 Vision Summit
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Established (past the previous stages and has demonstrated success)
How long have you been in operation?
Operating for 1‐5 years
Which of the following best describes the barrier(s) your innovation addresses? Choose up to two
Access, Cost, Quality, Equity.
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
The initiative was created due to the emerging food crisis within the region due to the over reliance on subsistence farming to ensure food security. The food crisis, skyrocketing food prices and the high rate of unemployment was causing unrest and insecurity in some parts of the country. Majority of the people largely those at the Base of the financial Pyramid (BOP) could not afford basic foods. Equity Bank being a financial inclusion champion conceived strategic partnership to tackle food insecurity through the proliferation of commercial farming giving rise to the ultimate solution for supporting farmers and communities as a whole.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
The Kilimo Biashara initiative is credit services adapted to crop production. It is a loan product specifically designed for smallholder farmers in food crop production with a subsidized interest rate (10% p.a vs. 22% p.a for other loan products). It is administered through the Bank’s vast branch network and supported by a team of staff qualified in agricultural practices to support smallholder farmers’ transition towards commercial farming. The initiative provides additional benefit to the farmers through training on financial literacy with specific emphasis on budgeting and use of borrowed funds. The availability of agriculture relationship officers who understand crop production needs. As well as warehouse receipt financing where the farmers can store the crop in a specified and certified warehouse as they wait for prices to improve while maintaining the quality of the harvest.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
• The bank has given out loans of KSHS 2.7 billion (USD 31.8 million equivalent) to 53,266 direct clients. The farmers have been able to produce food crops for domestic use and sell the excess to the market thus increasing their household incomes. Some farmers have diversified their sources of incomes by establishing agency banking outlets where fellow community members can access financial services.
• Currently the farmers have been contracted to do seed multiplication for seed companies, a move which supports transformation of agriculture from a subsistence focus to commercialisation. This has also addressed the challenge/ shortage of seeds in Kenya and in the region.
• Very strong agricultural value chain partnerships have emerged with other players like fertilizer companies and agro chemical companies joining in the partnership to facilitate the farmers’ food production process. Ensuring success end to end.
• World Food Program has adopted Kilimo Biashara in the Purchase for Progress project where small holder farmers have the opportunity to sell the surplus produce to WFP thus creating a ready market for farmers. This has enhanced the sustainability of the initiative.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
The Kilimo Biashara initiative has received competition from other financial services institutions within the region involved in enhancing inclusion as well as local microfinance institutions targeting the agricultural sector. What differentiates Equity Bank is the robust nature of the initiative whereby we have partnered with international development partners so as to influence best practices, used our vast branch network to ensure accessibility and reach of the solution to the neediest and provided support to the entire value chain ensuring a focus over the entire agricultural spectrum. We do not see challenges emanating but rather opportunity for other players to join in the fight against food insecurity and poverty.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
Equity Bank began its operations in 1984 and targeted farming communities in the rural areas of Central Kenya. Since inception, the Bank has been focused on eliminating the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in accessing financial services hence its establishment of the first branches in rural communities. The founder’s resilience was tested in the early 1990’s when many foreign banks were converting from retail to corporate banks, leaving a vacuum in the retail sector. In addition these Banks were also closing their rural branches. But true to its commitment to the rural communities in enhancing financial inclusion Equity maintained its rural presence and even increased its presence in the areas that experienced the vacuum created by the departure of the foreign banks. And to date, Equity Bank stands as the largest Bank in East and Central Africa in number of customers due to its resilience and commitment to financial inclusion.
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
Equity Bank’s initiative for food security is Kilimo Biashara, it is a Kiswahili word meaning "farming as a business". It is a financial product specifically designed for smallholder farmers who are in food production and agro dealers who supply farmers with farm inputs required in form of certified seeds and fertilizer aimed at ultimately increasing productivity of food crops and harvests.
Which barrier(s) to financial inclusion does your solution seek to address? (select all applicable)
Physical and other accessibility obstacles that prevent communities from reaching financial services, The lack of affordable financial products tailored to the needs of underserved and excluded communities,, Powerful incentives for financial service providers to move up-market.
If you selected 'other' above, please specify which other barriers to financial inclusion you solution seeks to address:
For which underserved or excluded communities will your solution create access to valuable, affordable, secure and comprehensive financial services?
Agriculture is the backbone of Kenyan economy and means of livelihood for most of the rural population. The sector contributes directly 26% of GDP of Kenya another 25% indirectly. It supplies the manufacturing sector with raw materials. The sector accounts for 65% Kenya’s total exports, employs 40% of total population and over 70% of the rural population depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, in Kenya over 10 million people suffer from chronic food insecurity and poor nutrition. It is these segments of the population that the solution targets – the over 70% of the rural population that depends on agriculture and the quarter of the population that experiences chronic food shortages.
Could your solution work in other geographies or regions? If so, where?
Yes the solution could be replicated in other countries around Africa and specifically around the Sub Saharan Africa region. We would like to replicate this model within the regional market in countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan within the next one year since all systems and facilities required are in place. The only remaining resource required is funding since the funding we currently have with our partners is only for the Kenyan market.
If your solution is dramatically successful, how will things be different in 10 years?
Ten years of successful implementation of the solution would yield approximately 40% to 50% contribution towards the GDP of the country underpinning the relevance of agriculture to the development of the nation. Additionally, widespread commercial farming would result in the increase of job opportunities thus providing economic benefit to a large section of the population resulting in their transformation both socially and economically. However, the most important benefit would be the reduction in the cases of food insecurity and poverty throughout the region. This would be achieved through increased food production and enhancement of the quality of harvest. This would enable all communities within the region an opportunity have their basic needs met elevating the national outlook and development towards the millennium development goals.
What will have had to have changed to make this happen?
Agricultural transformation – there would have to be a sustained change in the perception of agriculture as a viable economic activity. At the moment, there still exists a large section of the population that practices subsistence farming and as such is yet to realize the potential agriculture can have in transforming lives and livelihood through commercialization of their agricultural practices.
Agricultural value added services – there would have to be an increase in the number and quality of value added services relating to food production. This would entail attracting more investors towards the agricultural industry so as to enhance the overall value chain for the farmer. In doing so, the farmer would be able to increase his/ her profits due to the strengthening of value chain partnerships and cooperation.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
The bank has given out loans of KSHS 2.7 billion (USD 31.8 million equivalent) to 53,266 direct clients. The farmers have been able to produce food crops for domestic use and sell the excess to the market thus increasing their household incomes. Some farmers have diversified their sources of incomes by establishing agency banking outlets where fellow community members can access financial services.
Currently the farmers have been contracted to do seed multiplication for seed companies, a move which supports transformation of agriculture from a subsistence focus to commercialisation. This has also addressed the challenge/ shortage of seeds in Kenya and in the region.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
Regional replication – we shall aim to replicate this financing model to the other regional markets where we do operate namely; Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Enhancing farmer financial inclusion – we shall aim to increase the number of households transforming from subsistence farming to sustainable commercial farming and onwards to building commercial enterprises that will enhance their lives and livelihood.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
Fluctuations in weather patterns and climatic changes – the bank would mitigate the climate change risks by promoting conservation agriculture and specifically initiatives such as use of drought resistance crops, drip irrigation, livelihood activities that conserve the environment. In addition the bank has developed an insurance product that would help smallholder farmers insure their crops and harvests mitigating weather related risks.
High rate of financial illiteracy – the success of our project hinges on the enhancement of financial literacy training where we are able to educate farmers in financial management practices that would ensure sustainability of their commercial practices.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Number of farmers trained under the financial literacy program and the number of farmers accessing credit products
Task 1
Intensify agribusiness awareness campaign to enhance financial inclusion among farmers
Task 2
Coordinate regional financial literacy trainings to increase number of farmers accessing and benefiting from financial service
Task 3
Increase the number of Equity Bank agricultural extension officers and provide adequate staff training.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Source finances to support farmers with entrepreneurial skills enabling access and utilization of value added services
Task 1
Ensure regional expansion into neighbouring markets and countries.
Task 2
Enable the effective and efficient use of technology to enhance farmer productivity
Task 3
Establish more strategic partnerships to bring onboard greater collaboration and synergies
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
IFAD through Kenya Government and AGRA’s role is to facilitate a risk sharing fund of 10% to mobilize KSHS. 3 billion (USD 50 million equivalent).
The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for providing extension services such as training farmers on agricultural best practice. AGRA also provides supports to AGRO dealers.
Other partnerships that have been created include the World Bank, World Food Program, Millennium Village Project fertilizer, companies, seed companies, fresh produce exporting companies and chemical companies.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your innovation? If so, where and why?
At the moment the initiative has been implemented throughout the country in the various agricultural ecosystems.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
Equity Bank combines its vision to be the champion of socio-economic prosperity in Africa with its ability to create mutually sustainable value chains to ensure sustainability. Each and every day the Bank and its employees remain focused on providing value, convenience and transformation to its customers through prioritization of product, process and organizational innovation. Being an innovation leader in the industry drives us to a constant pursuit for out of the box solution, leveraging technology and partnership thus enhancing the passion and execution capability of our employees which results in the unification towards scaling up provision of financial services that socially and economically empower its clients. This culture has been the cornerstone of our success in Kilimo Biashara
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
Financial literacy training – Through the Equity Group Foundation we shall continue to provide financial management training to men, woment and the youth of the nation. The objective of the venture is to train and empower 1 million youth and women by 2014 with knowledge in financial matters so as to minimize the factors limiting economic transformation
To create a think-tank/research centre that identifies, defines and works toward promoting sustainability at a meaningful scale.
Next year is the 20-year anniversary of the Clayoquot Summer 1993 mass protests which made history as the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history. Friends of Clayoquot Sound need to reinvigorate the front end of the FOCS office in downtown Tofino BC, to create a hub of environmental inspiration and action. We envision this as a place to tell the story of Clayoquot Sound's temperate rain forests and the historic campaigns to protect them using dramatic images of spectacular ancient cedars, abundant wildlife, stunning scenery, and mass peaceful protests.
Created on 09/10/2012 by Gina Starblanket
A sustainable and interactive forum for First Nations communities to share, explore & work towards innovative solutions to their renewable energy needs.
Organization: University of Victoria
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Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains, Vancouver Island, Thompson Okanagan, Northern British Columbia, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Columbia Basin.
Is your organization a
Not registered
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Established (past the previous stages and has demonstrated success)
How long have you been in operation?
Operating for 1‐5 years
Which of the following best describes the barrier(s) your solution addresses? Choose up to two
Access, Cost.
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
-Need for opportunities to build upon and share information about renewable energy initiatives provincially/nationally.
-Need for an ongoing forum for First Nations to connect around and learn about various projects, practices and policies involving energy conservation and renewable energy
-Community need for support and opportunities to develop and implement collaborative sustainability projects (energy and resource management, food security, culture, economic development, training and capacity development)
-Need to promote and encourage the sharing of best practices and solutions around community-driven renewable energy projects
-Need to create employment and service-learning options for current students, recent grads and alumni in Science, Tech, Engineering and Math fields
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
-To provide a forum for discussion, education and innovation that brings together BC community members, Indigenous youth, academics, industry representatives, and government to showcase Indigenous community sustainability projects and to share about renewable energy initiatives.
-To work with communities to identify their energy needs and priorities, to share sustainable energy opportunities and build the capacity needed to undertake successful projects. We also invite reps from a range of government ministries to promote policies that will foster sustainable development and energy sovereignty for First Nations.
-While this initiative has been delivered as a 2-day Symposium in the past, it is gaining ground with many attendees and stakeholders having expressed interest in staying expanding the format and staying connected throughout the year. We are thus seeking to integrate more community-building, service-learning, and connection opportunities for students and stakeholders.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
A forum that brings together attendees from all over Vancouver Island, BC, and Western Canadian provinces including industry representatives, youth, and chiefs, councillors, and energy and resource project managers from local First Nations. This year, we plan on integrating an additional career-focused component with the aim of facilitating networking opportunities and connections between First Nations learners and prospective employers/mentors.
Examples of past First Nations Renewable Energy Forum components include
1)Panel Presentations, such as
•A photo essay: “Oil on Lubicon Land” presentation from Melina Laboucan Massimo
•BC First Nations First Climate Change and Adaptation project – Xeni Gwet’in
•Climate Change and Sustainable Communities
•Cowichan Tribes energy planning
•T’Sou-ke Nation Solar project and community Greenhouse Project
•Douglas First Nation Hydro Projects
2)Workshops consisting of:
•Project Planning
•Technology (Solar, environmental Remediation,)
•BC Hydro- Standing Offer program
•Fortis BC Community Energy Solutions
•Goethermal Energy
•Training and Capacity Building
3)Programs for Indigenous youth:
•Building and Designing Wind Turbine Blades
•Presentation from UVic Computer Science, and UVic Aboriginal Students in Science and Engineering
•Traditional Foods presentation
•Campus Tour
•BC Hydro Youth Conservation workshop
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
While there are several organizations and groups working on First Nations renewable energy initiatives, these are typically industry-driven and do not always account for the socio-economic barriers facing Indigenous peoples regionally and nationally. The proposed initiative is not-for-profit and is unique in its approach, which seeks to foreground both community and student voices in the coordination and execution of all program components. Additionally, the collaborative design of the organizing framework allows us to incorporate interdisciplinary research opportunities over the typical industrial applications and technologies.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
Blackfoot Electrical Engineering Masters student Jessica has a goal of helping First Nations communities achieve energy independence: "I'd like to help First Nations communities achieve energy independence using renewable energy technology. In my educational and co-op training, I gained experience with energy and power monitoring, wind turbine design, solar electric installations and solar thermal systems. I hope to help communities implement renewable energy projects that will alleviate energy (diesel) costs for communities off the grid, provide emergency power, and build economic capacity through generated power revenue for on grid communities."
-Jessica Bekker
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
-Education and awareness
-Sharing of ideas between community partners and other stakeholders
-Strenghtening partnerships between communities and with government, industry, and academic institutions
-Networking and facilitating connections between students, community members, and relevant industry and government representatives to promote educational and employment-related opportunities.
-Inspiration and mentorship for youth
-Facilitating the collaborative development and sharing of capacity development models and industry-specific knowledge and skills
-Identification of current and future energy needs from community stakeholders to integrate into our institutional approach to community partnership building
-Increased cultural support for student transitions to industry
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
Facilitating education and awareness around community-based renewable energy and conservation projects, as well as traditional ecological knowledge. Promoting continuous knowledge-sharing and an ongoing venue for career and service-learning connections in this field. Sharing visions, best practices, barriers, and challenges around renewable energy initiatives, programs, research, and innovations.
Over the past 3 years we have had over 350 attendees from all over Vancouver Island, the province and as far away as Alberta. There have also been over 20 First Nations represented by chiefs, councillors, and energy and resource project managers. We have also had Indigenous youth attendees from Cowichan Tribes, LA,WALNEW High School, Esquimalt High School, and the Saanich Adult Education Centre.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
To advance this initiative by integrating broader and more diverse representation from regions across Canada. To build on the groundwork laid in the past 3 years by expanding this initiative beyond a two-day event into an ongoing, interactive medium for knowledge-sharing, research and investment, and networking and employment in the fields of renewable energy. To incorporate a greater focus on building career connections and service-learning opportunities with the aim of supporting student transitions out of post-secondary and into culturally-relevant work experiences in their fields of interest. To support communities in identifying their renewable energy needs and interests, building capacity, and facilitating connections with relevant research, industry, and government representatives.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
This event has been extremely well-received by collaborators and attendees in the past, with students, community-members, and industry representatives expressing strong interest in its continuation. The primary barriers impacting the success of this initiative include the need for adequate funding to carry out the organization and delivery of the symposium in a respectful and culturally-appropriate way.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Deliver a community-driven forum on First Nations Renewable Energy initiatives
Task 1
Continue to resource the event through external funding and grant proposals
Task 2
Encourage active and ongoing involvement of new and existing community partners from the early organizational phase
Task 3
Hire contractor to oversee the collaborative organization of this event
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Expand initiative into ongoing First Nations Renewable Energy network and online community
Task 1
Encourage and promote membership in First Nations Renewable Energy Network at next year's symposium
Task 2
Establish online network of individuals and groups interested in First Nations Renewable Energy initiatives
Task 3
Share project ideas, webcast discussions and conferences, facilitate and deliver webinars to one another
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
This event is organized through collaboration between UVic's Office of Indigenous Affairs and the T'Souke Nation, a partner with UVic's Aboriginal Service Plan. In the past, we've had other ASP partners and reps from UVic, UBC, Camosun College and the Native Education Centre in attendance. The integration of a service-learning and career component will involve more First Nations partners who have expressed interest in creating additional community-based employment, co-op or mentorship opportunities for current students and recent grads, particularly in science, tech, engineering & math fields.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
The target audience for next year's event involves anyone interested in learning about or working on First Nations renewable energy projects. We plan to increase and diversify our the target audience by promoting the initiative online to make it accessible to regions across Canada. We will also explore opportunities for more distant or remote communities to share their renewable energy projects or ideas through an interactive online medium and learn about initiatives of interest and relevance in other communities, which would bring the scope to an international plane.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
Some of the primary factors that will contribute to the success of this innovative network include the close accessibility and availability of skilled faculty, staff and researchers, the strong and active community/student voice that informs the planning process, and the collaborative and community-based nature of the organizing framework for this initative.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
-Offers a centralized resource and online community of people interested in First Nations Renewable Energy solutions and innovation
This art walk is promoting our trails system and encouraging people to explore them. Tourism, business, and arts/culture will all be involved and prosper.
Created on 09/4/2012 by ihsanadi
Es Air Laut is a mangrove product which produced by coorporation of perkumpulan petani mangrove and Consaut. Es Air Laut is a commercial product that sell drink from manrove's fruit which healhty for human body. the coorporate company just act as a association that produce profit oriented product for supporting the conservation activity.
Organization: Executive Comitee Veterinary Airlangga University. "Conservatipreneur Students Association"
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideOrganization Name
Executive Comitee Veterinary Airlangga University. "Conservatipreneur Students Association"
Country where this project is creating social impact
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has your organization been operating?
More than 5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideName Your Entry
Conservatiopreneur, conservation and developing small economy in coast area
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Scaling (the next step will be growing impact on a regional or even global scale)
How long have you been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
Wonorejo district is one of the coast areas which have bad condition in mangrove habitat. The case about mass deforestation which happened in Wonorejo last year has been decreasing the habitat of mangrove plants rapidly. The risk is, the coast citizen will be threaten by sea flood. Although the deforestation is forbidden by the government, the damage of mangrove tree is still happen. Indeed we have to make movement quickly to decrease the damage of mangrove habitat. The economy of wonorejo’s citizen is also low so the people cannot life in the right standart.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
we know that low economy rate of people make them do everything to survive. in that case, people in wonorejo do the same thing such as sell the wood of mangrove and destroy the habitat to make fish pond. the best solution to make people care from herself is from economic aspect. conservatiopreneur is a new way of entrepreneurship which combine the entrepreneur and nature conservation. the idea is making syrup from mangrove fruits which usually thrown as rubbish. the research about syrup mangrove it is finish and the result is good but many people still unknown about it.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
Conservatiopreneur is a way that combine economic and conservation aspects. The first model is making a forum joining the native citizen that concern in developing mangrove tree. I know that many mangrove habitat is near the fish pond so I make corporation with the fish pond guide to make association. The association is “Perkumpulan Petani Mangrove” which headed by mr. Muhson Soni. The goal of the association is to take care mangrove tree until they can life without problem such as rubbish and destroyer. The first step of my plan can have result to make entrepreneurship condition in wonorejo people.
Second, Me and my team have a big influence about explain the beneficial of mangrove tree and the importance of mangrove tree to human. So, we plan to make students association to make coorperation with wonorejo people association. In the easy way, we (students) act as a marketer from mangrove product to sell all of the country. We consider that the present world is dominated by young people. We named our association as “Consuat. Conservatiopreneur Students Association”.
As we know, we have to make brand from our product so we can compete with other commercial product in real market. The last, both organization combine as one organization named “Es air Laut” that only have goal to sell product about syrup and making franchise.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
we have several peers such as drink company and booth maker. the all of our peers is coorporate to succed the "Es Air Laut" brand.
we have a lot of competitor with the same product. in the other city in indonesia some people have same product like us. but our superior is way of marketing that drive by teenagers. so, we have special marketing to reach all market especially in the 18-30 in age. the franchise model that we use also make us more known.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideThis Entry is about (Issues)
What solution(s) does your initiative address to help emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses grow and thrive in underserved communities? (select all applicable)
Access to financing, Access to talent, Access to supply chains, Access to technology, Access to economic opportunity.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
the present impact is people in wonorejo district don't difficult to looking for money because the product is easy to make and have big benefit. people in wonorejo just be as technical service such as cooking, packing and guide. the branding and marketing is managed by students. and the important things is the habitat of mangrove tree is not destroyed anymore bacause of people care. the conservation of mangrove also have fund source from the profit of "es air laut" selling product.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
in the next 1-3 years the product will spread all of the country. because the franchise system facilitate indonesian people to be an entrepreneur. the product will dominate the unique drink market in indonesia. furthermore, mangrove conservation can be held in all of our country because the money can we get from the profit. our city also have special souvenir that show the trully surabaya.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
the big barrier is the people's care about our project. many coast citizen still have traditional mind to past the problem. we also little blocked to drive this project because of government rules.as a student we have to determine our time between project and study oriented. but, all barrier can be overcome if we have high motivation and spirit to heal the nature and bring entrepreneurship spirit.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
the plan is regulate, coorporate and selling.
Task 1
regulation to establish students organization that concern in nature conservation with entrepreneurship way.
Task 2
make coorporation to all things that we need to run the project
Task 3
establish the brand to government and make regulation about bussines licensse
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Task 1
make the product permission to the professional food licencer
Task 2
coorporate with entrepreneur to bring this product as their frinchise
Task 3
coorporate with nature conservator to heal the mangrove habitat in all the world
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
i often seen at the coast area when i pass the street there is like a rubbish area that not worth to live there. i also see lot of rubbish that trap in surabaya coast area from TV. then when a walk again cross the coast area myself i see alot of potential aspect in this area. for example i see mangrove fruits just trohwn away as a rubbish, whereas according to the researcher the mangrove fruit have many benefit for human body. and i say "eureka" the combination of economic aspect and conservation is the best solution to heal the coast area. from that project i can get profit and way to conservate mangrove tree. the fruit is free parts so i don't to pay for the modal.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
the partnership rule by the frinchise rule. so, partnership can be done by buy our royalty product. we also open partnership with spnsor that care with mangrove habtat.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
Created on 08/30/2012 by Darcyel
This art walk is promoting our trails system and encouraging people to explore them. Tourism, business, and arts/culture will all be involved and prosper.
Organization: Tumbler Ridge Artist Club
more ↓↑ hide↑ hideOrganization Name
Tumbler Ridge Artist Club
Country where this solution is creating social impact
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Northern British Columbia.
Is your organization a
Not registered
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Idea (you're poised to launch)
How long have you been in operation?
Still in idea phase, but looking to launch soon
Which of the following best describes the barrier(s) your solution addresses? Choose up to two
Access, Quality.
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
Tumbler Ridge is a remote yet beautiful Northern BC community on the verge of an economic boom with the presence of a number of coal mines and windmill projects. While the future of Tumbler Ridge looks promising, the town is still fragile since it has seen a downturn in resource industry once before which threatened the existence of the town. Because of this we need to focus on our small town identity which boasts the theme of ‘Waterfalls and Dinosaurs”. There is a need to better showcase our natural beauty, encourage outdoor recreation, promote healthy living, boost tourism and create greater opportunity for local community members and as a result, pull the whole community together.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
An art initiative with the intention of producing high quality original paintings that highlight the abundant natural resources and recreational trails that have been carved out by our local hiking club. An Art Walk (Tumbler Ridge Art Installation Landscape Stroll) would be created by placing artwork around town to educate and bring awareness to locals and tourists of our extensive trail system. This would also encourage higher traffic in to local businesses. The goal is to strengthen a sense of community while focusing on the awe-inspiring beauty surrounding the town and to encourage personal exploration of our trail systems.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
There are currently 11-17 local participating businesses offering to display the art installation landscapes. Over five local artists are on board with the opportunity to be able to display their artwork and gain exposure for their talent. Additionally, the local hiking group is also excited by this initiative, as they have worked hard to carve out many trails and would love the opportunity to better highlight the trails.
As part of the artwork installation, each piece will have signage with information such as their locations, degree of hiking difficulty, bear aware tips, drinking water reminders and special points of interest. Also, an artist statement will express the inspiration of the painting, adding an incentive to view the location on site. The paintings in the Art Stroll will be installed with the idea of yearly rotation, bringing in new artwork and artists to keep locals and returning tourists interested and engaged. By bringing many community members together in a collaborative and harmonious way, we are making a difference in how locals and tourists view our town and outdoor areas. We are trying to help strengthen our community identity as a beautiful, natural, active and welcoming community.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
This art initiative is collaborative among local artists, local businesses, clubs and community members, all with the common goal of bringing the community together and celebrating its natural beauty. Some key peers and partners include the Tumbler Ridge Museum Foundation, Wolverine Nordic and Mountain Society, TR Artists Club, Town Hall, and many community groups and businesses. Surrounding towns have successfully incorporated “Art Walks’ in to their communities and rather than viewing this as competition, we can learn from their success, follow in their footsteps and potentially partner with them in the future.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
I was asked to paint a 50ft mural at the swimming pool in our community center highlighting our one-of-a-kind and expansive landscape. Wanting to continue painting the community’s beauty (and since the project was fun, relatively easy and successful), I spoke with the local hiking club with the idea to showcase the hiking trials. Immediate support and enthusiasm followed from town businesses, community members and Town Council. From there, I shared the idea with other local artists who were also enthusiastic to be included and with this the idea for ‘Tumbler Ridge Art Installation Landscape Stroll’ was born! This initiative brings to light the beauty of Northern BC. It will also help strengthen our town identity with the hope of putting us on the world map as place worth visiting by highlighting what we have; breathtaking scenery and hiking trails, inspired artists and a strong community bond.
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
Simply put, we are trying to strengthen our community and its identity with a visual representation of our town theme of "Waterfalls and Dinosaurs" and highlight trail destinations that have just that - spectacular waterfalls and fascinating dinosaur evidence. We are trying to bring arts and culture alive in a long term project of co-operative participation. We want it to encourage active participation through spin-off activities such as: guided hikes, photo contests, painting workshops and art auctions! Additionally, this art initiative will help in the beautification of our downtown core, encourage outdoor recreation, and potentially contribute to our community’s destiny as a world class tourism destination.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
This idea has been passed before our Town Council and was received enthusiastically by members of council. Over 20 letters of support have been given from local business owners and prominent community members. We are enthusiastic and confident that this is a highly respected and anticipated venture for our town.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
We hope to develop world class tourism potential where the interaction of community demonstrates a high degree of excellence in arts and culture, outstanding record of performance in physical fitness and noticeable healthy living with obvious respect for nature.These factors in combination will help to display our town as a community with a passionate and inspirational spirit.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
Initially, securing funding is the biggest barrier to overcome. Once we achieve that, our only foreseeable barrier may be naysayers or those who do not fully support or understand our vision and overall goals. We have, however had only positive feedback from the community thus far, and hope that it continues as we proceed forward.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Preparation for Art Stroll
Task 1
Complete 8 large and 6 medium paintings with descriptive information cards
Task 2
Confirm and finalize locations of intstallations
Task 3
Finalize format and information of brochures & develop "passports" that will help track use of trails.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Task 1
Complete all canvases (an additional 4 large and 4 medium canvases)
Task 2
Print and distribute brochures, advertise through different mediums, and finalize and produce ``passports`` to track success
Task 3
Installations placed in designated location; ready for Grand Opening, Canada Day 2013!
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
Local businesses, local artists, clubs and other community members are all eager and willing to contribute to this idea. This is a collaborative initiative that requires partnership with as many members in the community as possible in order to succeed. We are always open and accepting of new interest in partnership. Those that are interested in this initiative are all passionate about this community and want to see this town succeed and prosper.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
Since this is a local initiative, we would focus our attention to our community. There is a possibility of extending into other Northern community networks in the future – Specifically the seven already involved in the Peace Liard Annual Juried Art Show.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
We have a local artist club that meets to paint together and develop ideas for this initiative. We have been doing some pleine aire painting trips to view the landscape in person.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
We are open to collaborating and networking with other similar projects and encourage sharing both ideas and talent among different artist groups.
This innovation also has a Project Page where you can read more about its latest progress.
Go to Project: GreenPages Directory.
Created on 08/29/2012 by Leslie Goodson
Portal for sustainable living, commerce and investment supported by advanced search functions and linkages to channel partners to drive traffic and content.
Organization: GreenPages Directory
Visit websitemore ↓↑ hide↑ hideCountry where this solution is creating social impact
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains, Vancouver Island, Thompson Okanagan, Northern British Columbia, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Columbia Basin.
Is your organization a
For‐profit
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideSelect the stage that best applies to your solution
Start-Up (a pilot that has just begun operating)
How long have you been in operation?
Operating for 1‐5 years
Which of the following best describes the barrier(s) your solution addresses? Choose up to two
Access, Equity.
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
The sustainable business market is expected to hit $60 billion by 2013. Only 40% of US adults believe green products/services just getting started, yet 69% purchase green products/services. Just 21% believe most businesses make efforts at sustainability, and fewer trust companies to be transparent even with independent verification. In NA, 65% of consumers believe products have a positive impact on the environment, 61% of small and mid-size businesses are trying to go greener and 70% anticipate becoming more environmentally conscious in the next two years. Digital marketing spending increased by more than 14% as traditional advertising spend declined 161% over the past year. We need to align businesses and consumers interested in sustainability by supporting access and behaviour change.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Consumers and supply chain managers seek companies and brands with genuine commitments to environmental and social issues. GPD advertisers manufacture, sell, distribute or promote eco-friendly products and/or services. In addition to retailers that exclusively sell organic, fair trade or eco-friendly products, many major companies are adding sustainable products. LOHAS (the group that already purchase sustainable products and services) represents approximately 16% of adults in NA and is expected to double within 5 years. GPD provides the platform to link information seekers with solution providers, their products & services, associated certifications and locations. Key to our solution is the searchable data and criteria that end users can leverage to obtain the specific information they need. Information such as certifications, where the product is made, ratings, environmental & social attributes are important for decision-making and can be seen at a glance in search results.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
GPD provides end users access to easy-to-use streamlined information about relevant products, services and information – all evident at a glance to help consumers and procurement specialists find the most appropriate resource and/or certification closest to their geographical location. GPD owns the ECO-FLYER trademark for North America and "Where Good Things Click" and "GreenPages Directory" trademarks in Canada. Listing companies can manage their listing in real time, post their own ads, ECO-FLYER® and in the next phase, their coupons.
Step 1
End user goes to portal address: www.greenpagesdirectory.net (also accessible on other greenpages websites, such as www.bcgreenpages.com, www.albertagreenpages.com , www.ontariogreenpages.com, www.manitobagreenpages.com )
Step 2
End user can choose to BROWSE by category (i.e. Resources/Products/Services/Service Providers/Retailers/Business to Business/Community Blog etc.) Or they can enter SEARCH criteria, such as their location AND choose from the ADVANCED search criteria such as within a specified DISTANCE, if the product or service is in an ACTIVE ECO-FLYER®, by specific CERTIFICATION(S), BRAND, WHERE THE PRODUCT IS MADE etc. Search results can be organized in order of ratings, relevance, or closest geographic location. Clicking on the desired result will lead to the profile of that result.
Step 3
If the product or service is in an Active ECO-FLYER® it will be identified in an advanced search where that is one of the criteria OR it will be identified by the ECO-FLYER® logo during the search result.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
Although there are several competitors, there is currently no dominant green search directory market leader with unique features such as those in GPD. Unique features of GPD's platform include the ECO-FLYER, advanced search criteria such as certifications, distance, ratings, brand, and where a product is made. Most green directories focus on a local market which limits the ability to find innovation, which may be one-of-a-kind and not in close proximity but relevant for implementing a sustainable solution. With GPD, end users can find the closest solution and also others that may be outside their immediate geographic area. Another unique feature is the sustainable attributes that can be associated with products/services that show at-a-glance what makes it sustainable.
This Entry is about (Issues)
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideFounding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world.
In an age where people reluctantly accept the “thunk” of the Yellow and White Pages on their front steps, Connie decided what was needed wasn’t yellow or white, but green. Connie, a former stockbroker with an MBA and owner of a leading sustainability consulting firm, understood that while people could easily find companies through the Yellow Pages, both in print and online, they couldn’t easily find companies that were specifically “green". Also, there wasn’t a platform for companies to discuss, in an obvious way, what good they do for people and the environment. And yet, according to her research, there was a growing body of consumers who want to buy specifically green products and services but don't know where to go to find them. So she spent several years gathering a global team of experts to create the first directory and search tool of its kind specifically to highlight environmentally-aware companies in North America.
Please describe the goal of your initiative; outline what you are trying to achieve
GPD’s goal is to provide the largest database and most efficient online platform to facilitate the shift to a more sustainable economy. There are many entrepreneurs who have developed cleaner & more efficient processes, practices & products as cradle-to-cradle businesses. When these are implemented vertically into the supply chain, the final outcome can dramatically reduce the waste generated and the resources required to produce and distribute goods, plus generate goodwill & social equity to enhance quality of life & provide financial stability for all stakeholders. GPD believes most people are good & will be part of supporting solutions if it's easy to better understand what they are looking for and find it. The design of GPD's platform allows this information to be readily found.
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
To date, there are just under 2000 companies listed on GPD. Connie has not yet marketed to a larger audience beyond this initial content, and needs to begin marketing for content that will attract users and advertisers. From the listed companies’ feedback, they appreciate the exposure they have already gained and GPD’s portal to feature their unique and sustainable products, services, and the good they do. The GPD team has consistently received positive feedback at public meetings and conferences. The message that “this is really needed” has been a recurring theme. End users continually reinforce the need for a way to find out the closest location and latest technologies to implement healthier consumer choices. The GPD team recognizes where must improve and is committed to making these changes this year.
What is your projected impact over the next five years?
GPD’s projected impact over the next five years includes hosting hundreds of thousands of listed companies with hundreds of thousands of products and services that support healthier living so end users have meaningful results to their search criteria throughout North America. GPD’s goal is to support the green economy while generating measurable increases to advertisers’ ROI and measurable increases in the demand for this new generation of entrepreneurs’ products and services. GPD gives a voice to consumers who demand that companies act more responsibly in making and delivering their products and services. In turn, as companies respond to this demand, “green” business becomes the norm, not the exception.
What barriers might hinder the success of your project? How do you plan to overcome them?
There are always risks with any early stage company and GPD management has worked to mitigate these risks. The major stumbling block was a lack of talent to drive content and traffic, and knowing which supporting technologies need to be added to the current GPD platform. The recent addition of Ross Carriere to the management team will ensure that this is addressed and implemented in the next 12 months. Ross was instrumental in helping define standard revenue models for online companies and GPD is fortunate to have him. Lack of capital has also been a barrier. GPD is currently reworking its business plan and financial pro formas to launch a fund-raising effort. Connie has financed the company for the past several years.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Task 1
Identify social networking & ad revenue modules to facilitate channel marketing partners
Task 2
Update business documentation & revenue model to reflect new functionality, marketing and business plan.
Task 3
Raise funds required to realize 12-48 month plan.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Task 1
Integrate updated modules with current GPD website & test for QA to ensure seamless integration.
Task 2
Hire additional staff required to actualize new plan. Continue technology testing & client feedback.
Task 3
Identify & manage new strategic partnerships to drive content and traffic, develop agreements etc.
read more↓↑ hide↑ hideTell us about your partnerships
GPD will identify channel marketing partners who are leaders in their sectors, can share leading edge information, identify content leading to healthier solutions to support a shift in end users' purchasing behaviour, and drive content and traffic to the site. These partners are being identified, but official relationships have not yet been formally established.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
Consumers and supply chain managers seek companies and brands with genuine commitments to environmental and social issues. GPD advertisers manufacture, sell, distribute or promote eco-friendly products and/or services. In addition to retailers that exclusively sell organic, fair trade or eco-friendly products, many major companies are adding sustainable products. LOHAS represents approximately 16% of adults in North America and is expected to double within five years.
What type of operating environment and internal organizational factors make your innovation successful?
The GPD team is comprised of award-winning entrepreneurs who have combined expertise in online marketing, finance, social media, sustainability and technical development. Each member has reached a level of business maturity and the team works extremely well together. As shareholders, each is committed to seeing this project through to its successful implementation. GPD has a very fluid and flexible organizational structure and is able to respond to issues quickly without going through layers of management. The GPD is supported by staff that can be relied on as the company experiences high levels of growth. Connie owns 78% of the company shares and is able to make quick decisions as to the direction of the company as required.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
Connie has been a business mentor for over 8 years with UBC, Women's Executive Network, Women's Enterprise Centre and the Minerva Foundation.
