Here's a story about how members of the Changemakers community are conserving energy and getting in shape in the United States:
At a little gym in Portland, OR, powering through a tough workout on the elliptical machine can actually work a lot more than your biceps and thighs. Inspired by a similar fitness center in Hong Kong, The Green Microgym generates electricity using a combination of solar power and the dogged pedaling of exercisers’ feet.
Founded by fitness trainer Adam Boesel, The Green Microgym opened its doors last September, and has since generated thousands of watts of electricity by harnessing the power of its patrons.
Read more about this solution, or discuss this topic below.
Created on 07/27/2010 by NCHEKOUA nchekou nchekoua nchekoua nchekoua nchekoua NCHJE10
THE TRANSFER IS RENFORCE WHEN THE DIRECT FOREIGN INVETMENT (IDI) is significantly higher than Overses Development (ODA). the transfer requires both the financial supoof of donor countries and development agencies and also initiatives an investment by the private sector
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your solution
The transfer of technologies compatible with environment ( ESTs)
Describe Your Solution
THE TRANSFER IS RENFORCE WHEN THE DIRECT FOREIGN INVETMENT (IDI) is significantly higher than Overses Development (ODA). the transfer requires both the financial supoof of donor countries and development agencies and also initiatives an investment by the private sector
Country your work focuses on
nd
If multiple countries, please list them here. If your solution targets an entire region, please select it below
Region(s) your solution focuses on:
Africa
Range of turnover in your target firms, in USD
Average turnover in USD of your target firm
Number of employees in your target firms
Average number of employees of your target firm
Specify the size, average and range of expected loans or investments in each target firm
What stage is your solution in?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovative solution unique?
How does your proposed innovation leverage public intervention in catalyzing private SME finance?
What barriers does your proposed solution address?
If you checked any of these barriers, describe how your solution addresses them
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherProvide empirical evidence of your proposed solution's success/impact at present. If your project is in the idea phase, please provide evidence that speaks to its potential impact
How many firms do you expect to reach?
What is the volume of private SME finance you aim to catalyze?
What time frame will be required to reach these targets?
Does your solution seek to have an impact on public policy?
What would prevent your solution from being a success?
This Entry is about (Issues)
Describe the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherList all the funding sources that are required for the sustainability of this solution
Demonstrate how your proposed solution has the capacity to graduate from dependence on public finance. What is the time frame?
Demonstrate how your proposed solution will survive a potential loss of its largest private funding source
Please tell us what kind of partnerships, if any, could be critical to the greater success and sustainability of your innovation
Are there non-financial issues that could threaten the sustainability of your proposed solution?
Please tell us if your proposed solution aims to scale up through a high growth sector, expand immediately to multiple sectors, and/or scale up geographically
Created on 07/19/2010 by noetico
An ICT/energy R&D project to researches energy efficient ICT/Renewable Energy systems, and provides these as a complete green enterprise solution for SMEs. The essence to help dying businesses survive high energy cost by providing energy efficient alternatives and facilitating financing routes for them to afford these products; bottom line:SME funds will still sink into expensive power generation
Organisation: Noetico.IT
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganization Type
Private Institution
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherDescribe Your Solution
An ICT/energy R&D project to researches energy efficient ICT/Renewable Energy systems, and provides these as a complete green enterprise solution for SMEs. The essence to help dying businesses survive high energy cost by providing energy efficient alternatives and facilitating financing routes for them to afford these products; bottom line:SME funds will still sink into expensive power generation
Country your work focuses on
If multiple countries, please list them here. If your solution targets an entire region, please select it below
Region(s) your solution focuses on:
Range of turnover in your target firms, in USD
$6-10 Million.
Average turnover in USD of your target firm
Number of employees in your target firms
50-74.
Average number of employees of your target firm
Specify the size, average and range of expected loans or investments in each target firm
Loan Size: $100000, Average Size: $800000, Range: $60000-$120000
What stage is your solution in?
En place depuis moins d'un an
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovative solution unique?
Bottom line: whatever funds you provide to SMEs in Nigeria will still drain out in expenditure to power the business. The solution is unique for its focus on green development and energy efficiency of produced ICT and energy and partnering with the government and financial institutions to make funds available for SMEs to afford them. the innovation lies in its vision to research high technology in the area of energy conservation and efficiency of ICT and mobile products and simultaneously researching on better energy output of renewable sources and tying the products together; making them affordable and within reach so that ailing businesses can thrive without sinking funds to generate their own power. The beauty of the idea is its unifying vision: presenting a total energy efficient package that is both affordable and conforms to todays' demands for a cleaner, greener planet, while empowering SMEs to afford it.
How does your proposed innovation leverage public intervention in catalyzing private SME finance?
It is an idea that will see practical results, thus inviting investors and creating a model for others to get inspired by. state and Federal Governments will want to support such projects. The solution will push for financial leveraging for SMEs to afford these cheaper energy solutions
What barriers does your proposed solution address?
Lack of financial capacity, Underdeveloped local capital markets (term local currency funding, exit options for SME equity).
If you checked any of these barriers, describe how your solution addresses them
The solution creates the products and creates avenues for funding, so it is cohesive; the products and financing are from a common source, so its easies to access.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherProvide empirical evidence of your proposed solution's success/impact at present. If your project is in the idea phase, please provide evidence that speaks to its potential impact
The proposed project has received endorsement by a State Government and is currently gathering a host of local ICT entrepreneurs and firms. The idea is one that will unite other SMEs in driving it forward. The teeming Thousands of SMEs, ranging from stores to small service providers in the Country will appreciate the opportunity.
How many firms do you expect to reach?
I expect to reach at least 50, 000 firms, ranging from service providers to store owners, local restaurant owners, local hair dressers, mid sized businesses
What is the volume of private SME finance you aim to catalyze?
What time frame will be required to reach these targets?
Does your solution seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
What would prevent your solution from being a success?
Lack of funding, Government sabotage and inadequate partnership exposure
This Entry is about (Issues)
Describe the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
over the years there has been failure in the business and development stories, as whole production companies have closed down due to poor electricity or the total absence of it. in Kano State of Nigeria, for example, a lot of indigenous companies have been snuffed out due to elevate running cost owing to needless investment in buying diesel for generators. Small businesses and corporate institutions have had to battle between starting up the businesses and keeping the systems on to attend to the needs of clients. This has greatly, greatly affected development as businesses are battered, they are tempted to increase prices and soon they fall out of the market. The kind of products that will come from this idea will help certain businesses to afford a reasonable running environment.
the solution will also produce employment as it grows, producing these ICT systems and solar cells.
It will also boost education as there would be constant training in fields associated with the research and products presented by this solution
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherList all the funding sources that are required for the sustainability of this solution
International funding, such as UN, World Bank, DFID, UNIDO. Corporate industrial partnerships and where possible government intervention
Demonstrate how your proposed solution has the capacity to graduate from dependence on public finance. What is the time frame?
The solution has a very attractive commercial face, with the growing dependence of businesses on ICT and the growing need for energy; the energy efficient systems and solar products that will be produced will eventually sustain the project, along with the trainings that will be offered to aspiring professionals.
Demonstrate how your proposed solution will survive a potential loss of its largest private funding source
The project will be downsized to remove certain facilities like a solar module production line, in other words we will then research and contract production to foreign companies
Please tell us what kind of partnerships, if any, could be critical to the greater success and sustainability of your innovation
Technical partnerships, Financial partnerships and strategic partnerships
Are there non-financial issues that could threaten the sustainability of your proposed solution?
yes, Governments' undue intrusions
Please tell us if your proposed solution aims to scale up through a high growth sector, expand immediately to multiple sectors, and/or scale up geographically
Yes, most definitely, it would diversify within the ICT field and the energy field to research other forms of renewable energy. it will grow to open more centers and parks in more locations to push product availability and meet the market demands
Created on 07/15/2010 by audreyschulman
HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team) organizes energy-efficiency parties in homes or in the buildings of nonprofits such as churches or homeless shelters. At the parties, skilled leaders teach volunteers how to make the building more efficient. We not only reduce the energy and water use of that building, we also teach the volunteers hands-on skills in how to do the same in their own homes, saving both money and carbon emissions.
Organisation: HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)
Pays
États Unis, MA, Middlesex County
Nom
HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team)
Pays
États Unis, MA, Middlesex County
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Energy Efficiency Parties: Teaching Skills and Changing Behavior
Country your work focuses on
États Unis, MA, Middlesex County
Describe Your Idea
HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team) organizes energy-efficiency parties in homes or in the buildings of nonprofits such as churches or homeless shelters. At the parties, skilled leaders teach volunteers how to make the building more efficient. We not only reduce the energy and water use of that building, we also teach the volunteers hands-on skills in how to do the same in their own homes, saving both money and carbon emissions.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
In terms of dollars spent to energy savings, we cost a lot less than contractors do, while we also disseminate practical efficiency knowledge and skills widely in a community.
* The homeowner/tenant only has to pay for materials, not labor (since it’s volunteer), so we cost 75% less than the national average for air-sealing and electrical and water efficiency work. Our average cost is $200 to $500 per home.
* If the residents of the site are low income, we raise grants to pay for the materials.
* We have proven results. We check the energy bills of our sites afterward to ensure the use decreases. In the homes we work in, we average a 10% reduction in heat and electricity, saving $2,000 on average per home over the next decade.
* We do a professional-level job, including a pre- and post-blower door test, as well as combustion analysis testing.
* We work with Michael Blasnik, one of the nation’s top energy-efficiency experts, to pinpoint the tasks with the fastest return on investment. We teach how much each task will save in money, water and carbon emissions.
* We also educate people about what further efficiency work they can do (beyond the scope of the work we do). Although there are terrific rebates and 0% loans available for work such as adding insulation or buying new fridges, few people take advantage of them, especially people of low-income. HEET informs people of these great offers and their effectiveness in lowering energy bills. Over 25% of our sites end up getting professional energy-reduction work (using the rebates) after our event. We hope to spread the word to all income levels, so more people access these opportunities.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
We've worked on 68 buildings in the Boston area, from homes to a public school, homeless shelters, a historic church and a synagogue. Based on the work we did, and from extrapolating from the reduction we’ve seen in their energy bills, we estimate our work is saving 71 tons of CO2 and $21,000 in energy bills per year.
However, more importantly, we are changing behavior. A lot of inexpensive devices exist that reduce energy use, such as programmable thermostats or compact florescent light bulbs, but few people install these devices or use them in a way that will save energy. Social marketing research shows a powerful way to change behavior is through "social proof” or the perceived popularity of a behavior. At our events, volunteers see lots of people doing efficiency work; perhaps that’s why 75% of our surveyed volunteers report they use their new skills on their own homes. So far we've worked with over 1,500 volunteers, disseminating efficiency skills and encouraging behavior change throughout the greater Boston area.
Social marketing research has also found that when people are given a gift, they want to reciprocate. Homeowners and tenants of the buildings we work in – having been given the labor of up to 50 people – afterward reciprocate by changing their behavior to lower their energy use (A 2009 survey found 100% of those residents turned off lights more often, 77% of them lowered the heat and 55% conserved more water).
A few decades ago, a majority of the population didn’t recycle. Now most do because recycling became defined as something reasonable people do. We want to help energy efficiency to become a similar expectation.
We want our model to go viral. Inspired by us, 21 new HEET-style groups have started up in diverse communities from low-income to high-income. We assist these groups through every step of the way. Eight of the groups we’ve worked with have become independent already.
Problème
We can’t rely on volunteers for highly skilled work such as site evaluations and event organization. For now we are raising money for this work through grant agencies, but fundraising takes more time than actually running our events, meaning we can do a lot less efficiency work.
One possible source of funding for our services is from utility companies. In Massachusetts, these companies are mandated to pay rebates to professional contractors for the same type of air-sealing and electrical work we do. So far the utilities have resisted paying us these rebates, because we are not a for-profit contractor. We hope to get a strong enough lobby to persuade the utility companies to give us the rebates. These rebates would pay for an organizer and evaluator to work on each project, ensuring our high quality of work without bogging us down with fundraising duties.
Actions
Outreach: We will speak to as many community organizations as possible to spread the word about HEET.
Support: We will encourage the groups who have already started to talk to each other to share knowledge and to feel more supported. We will:
* Create a Google leadership network website
* Host a monthly conference phone call with the new groups
* Connect the groups through emails and in person meetings
Website: We will put more of our information --from how to do each efficiency task, to how to run a HEET-style group-- on our website. Updating our website will ensure anyone no matter where they are can get the information they need on efficiency and how to start up a HEET-style group. The information could be useful to tenants, homeowners and to people starting up new groups.
Utility Companies: We will:
* Meet with utility-company officials to explain what we do
* Bring along city councilors and other officials to help show community and legislative support
* Invite utility company officials to our events so they see the high quality of our services
Results
Ten new HEET style groups will start each year.
The already existing HEET-style groups will support each other and share knowledge to develop more effective and easier methods of work.
More people will hear of HEET and use its website to learn about efficiency information.
The new HEET-style groups will use the website to raise its standards.
The utility companies will begin to work more closely with us, understand how much we can help them get their efficiency message out to different communties and start giving us the rebates for our work.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Year One:
* Talk more at community events to spread the word about HEET-style groups.
* Set up a leadership network website and encourage the other HEET-style groups to use it.
* Set up a monthly conference call with the leaders of new HEET-style groups.
* Update our website with all other necessary information to either start a HEET-style group or to do simple tasks in the home.
* Meet with utility company executives and invite them to our events.
Year Two:
*Continue to talk at community groups.
* Reach out to 20 new groups each year.
* Work with 1,000 new volunteers each year.
* Encourage government officials (such as the Assistant Attorney General in charge of Ratepayers Advocacy) to talk to the utility companies that community actions like ours can do to decrease energy use community wide.
Year Three:
* Band together all the new HEET-style groups into a large enough lobby that utility companies start paying us rebates.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
In response to the world being in a climate emergency, we are doing our best to teach others practical actions that reduce carbon emissions and household bills.
However, if we aren’t given enough financial support after a while, we will not be able to continue doing this work, no matter how much we want to.
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$1000 - 4000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis 1 à 5 ans
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
New Generation Energy is a nonprofit organization that provides financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy. They are our fiscal sponsor and helps to raise money for us.
Cambridge Energy Alliance is an internationally respected nonprofit that helps homes and businesses access energy efficiency work and rebates. CEA gives us free efficient light bulbs, advertises our events and helps to make sure we access the best rebates possible.
Energy Federation Incorporated is a nonprofit retailer of energy and water efficiency devices. EFI gives us a discount of 8% below wholesale on the products they sell us.
The Cambridge city councilors and government work closely with us to advertise our events, connect us with people who can help us and to assist us in whatever other ways they can.
We also partner with many contractors to provide high quality work and instruction inexpensively or free.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
We need to pay the key people who work with us enough so they don't burn out. One critical way to do this is to be able to access utility company rebates for air-sealing and electrical efficiency work.
We need to do outreach to a lot of other groups to support them as they try to do the same work.
We need to spread the knowledge of our model to other communities to inspire them to try it out. We would supply the expertise. They would supply the social networks and volunteers.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
Most of the key people in HEET started out together in a climate change activist group called Greenport. In spite of all our letters-to-the-editor and demonstrations, we didn’t seem to be having any effect. We wanted to do something practical and hands-on instead where we could see the result.
We heard of Co-op Power, a group that organized volunteers to install photo voltaic and solar thermal panels. Although we liked that this work was hands-on, installing solar panels would mean we could only work on the homes of people who had south-facing roofs and several thousand dollars in cash.
Since I'd air-sealed my own home, as well as done water and electrical work, to radically reduce my own energy use, I suggested efficiency instead. Increasing efficiency tends to have a return on investment measured in months rather than decades (meaning it also saves more carbon). And working on efficiency instead of renewables would lower the expense of the work so we could help people of all incomes.
Thus we agreed to do efficiency instead and organized our first event, sending out a few emails to sustainability email lists. On the day of the event a huge rainstorm hit and, because of the deluge, as well as how little publicity we did, we figured we would be lucky if five people show up.
Instead 40 came tromping in through the rain, carrying tools and materials, thrilled at the idea of teaching and learning.
And we realized we’d hit on a great idea.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
In 2000, my husband, children and I moved into a 90-year-old home leaky enough that small papers fluttered across the basement floor when the wind blew. There were rooms in the winter too cold for us to be in. In the summer the main bedroom sweltered. We accepted it, assuming this was just the way life had to be in old homes.
We wanted to make the basement into a playroom for our children but couldn’t afford the prices the contractors bid. I began the work myself, figuring I’d just do whatever I could to cut down on the expense. The demolition of the old basement walls turned out to be fun (great for anger management of a mother with young children), so I moved on to installing a banister, then repairing the foundation. At each new task I would do research on how to do it, then try the best I could and perhaps reinstall it several times before it worked.
Since I cared about energy use, I prioritized insulation and air-sealing. In the end I’d increased the livable area of our home by 400 square feet and, decreased the drafts so much, our home’s whole heating bill dropped by 10%. The whole house got more comfortable both in the summer and the winter.
After that I was hooked on energy use reduction. I insulated, air-sealed and experimented with compact florescent bulbs (those spiral ones), power strips and low-flow water measures. I kept track of the results and learned along the way.
After a decade of trial and error, I’ve lowered our energy use by 50%, made our home more valuable, comfortable and saved us lots of money in energy bills.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Friend or family member
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 07/14/2010 by rrrussell
The Community Rehab Learning Project is a school without walls where hands-on instruction in basic construction skills takes place within vacant, abandoned houses. Practical applications of the STEM (science, tech, engineering and math) curriculum that students are studying will be incorporated throughout the process. Renovated houses will return to the community as safe, energy efficient homes.
Organisation: The Community Rehab Learning Project
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
The Community Rehab Learning Project
Nom
The Community Rehab Learning Project
Adresse
62 Churchill Rd., New Lebanon, NY 12125
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Building Skills and Rebuilding Community
Country your work focuses on
États Unis, NY, Albany County
Describe Your Idea
The Community Rehab Learning Project is a school without walls where hands-on instruction in basic construction skills takes place within vacant, abandoned houses. Practical applications of the STEM (science, tech, engineering and math) curriculum that students are studying will be incorporated throughout the process. Renovated houses will return to the community as safe, energy efficient homes.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
When first envisioning this project, I was inspired by the motto of the Historic Albany Foundation - "The most responsible way to build is to recycle an old building.” The Capital District of New York State has over 1000 vacant, abandoned buildings and houses. While organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, concentrate on building new homes, very few organizations work to renovate vacant, uninhabitable houses. These houses continue to deteriorate until they must be razed. Each of these could become a learning laboratory for teaching construction and renovation skills.
Students will learn these skills as practical applications of the STEM curriculum with an emphasis on energy conservation and green, sustainable practices. Participants may engage in community service, service learning or vocational school practice. Students will also learn of opportunities to transition to more formal training specific to the trades and green jobs with an emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Many students come from underrepresented groups and will be encouraged to pursue careers in STEM fields.
This project will operate during school hours for students in G.E.D. or School To Work programs. It will also be available as an after school program and during summer vacation and other breaks.
Special attention will be paid to LEED or similar certification where appropriate.
Workshops and seminars, open to all community members, will be held focusing on home maintenance and improvement, and energy efficiency projects.
These renovated houses will be put back into service as affordable, safe, functional, energy efficient homes for low to moderate income families.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
While we searched for houses that The Community Rehab Learning Project could renovate, potential donors have been surprised by what we would be willing to accept. These houses would normally cost much more to renovate than they are worth in the real estate market. However, they are still structurally sound enough to be saved and not razed. We are offering another avenue for solving the problem of vacant houses.
Organizations that want to send students to our program are anxiously anticipating having opportunities for students to engage in realistic, long term projects, where students will see progress and significant improvement in their neighborhoods.
While discussing the applications of math and science to house renovation skills, many people are surprised by how pervasive the need to appreciate math and science is to these skills.
Problème
Most after school programs are available for younger children, and very few exist for older high school students. The New York State Afterschool Network (NYSAN)is encouraging us to develop this as an alternative way for high school students to earn credit. Few such opportunities exist now.
An excessive number of vacant houses contributes to the decay of neighborhoods that create problems in urban areas. Empty houses encourage undesirable activities, and when they collapse present serious hazards.
There is lack of community service opportunities that significantly impact individuals and communities available in many neighborhoods. Schools and students often have difficulty finding service learning projects that go beyond raking leaves and picking up trash.
Construction trades organizations and unions are very concerned about the lack of younger people and members of underrepresented groups going into the building trades.
Actions
The Community Rehab Learning Project has been building partnerships with local educational agencies, such as YouthBuild.
We are seeking property donations from individuals, neighborhood associations and local city governments.
We are working with organizations, such as Historic Albany Foundation, to make sure that our projects fit well within the neighborhoods.
We have spoken to government officials at the local, state and national level.
We are seeking funding to proceed with the project and provide operating funds for future years. Several grant foundations have expressed strong interest in our project and will be reviewing our applications through the rest of the year.
Results
Students will learn construction skills, gain a stronger appreciation for science and math, and become active, involved participants in their community's redevelopment. A recent survey of students in service learning courses found that 90% of the students believed they had a better understanding of the concepts they were taught, 82% stated they would choose another service learning course and 80% said they would volunteer in their community. Students also report increased self-confidence and a sense of self-empowerment. They will learn practical life skills and will be able to present valuable experiences to prospective employers.
Vacant, deteriorating houses will become safe, functional homes.
As homeowners occupy once vacant houses, the quality of life will improve, tax bases will be revitalized and the local economy will improve.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Year 1
During the first year we will need to complete the renovation of at least two houses. We will need to build and strengthen partnerships, seek funding and get the word out about our organization. When these houses are sold, the proceeds will help fund the next group of renovations. We will evaluate additional properties for acquisition.
Year 2
We plan to expand in this year as the initial successful renovations increase our credibility and funding opportunities. We will continue with best practices from the first year and hire additional staff to increase the number of participants served. We will increase our volunteer base and begin to offer regularly scheduled workshops for the community at large.
Year 3
We will continue fund raising and forming partnerships as in the previous years and expand staff and hope to include some former participants as part of the staff.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Lack of funding will be the biggest hurdle. Bureaucratic delays from government agencies could delay progress. Lack of support from local governments and agencies, inadequate staffing, unmotivated students, problems with securing specialized services, such as asbestos abatement, and uncontrollable issues - a neighboring house collapsed onto a scheduled donation house a week before we were to begin work - could prevent a successful house renovation.
There have been a couple of previous attempts at renovations by non profit groups. They tended to do only limited projects and lacked proper construction experience and oversight. We have been working to overcome the bad impression they have left.
Perhaps the greatest frustration we've experienced has been the chicken and the egg problem or the Catch-22. After we received our 501(c)3 status, we started seeking funding. Several funding sources said come back when you have some houses. The city departments and other organizations who could donate houses said come back when you have funds and students. We currently have an MOU for transferring ownership of a house contingent on funding and students.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
The Community Rehab Learning Project
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Albany Housing Authority has donated our first house and will be providing future donations of houses.
Albany YouthBuild will be providing students.
Local schools will also provide students as part of an after school program, a School to Work program and Service Learning projects.
Local professionals, such as architects, structural engineers, and construction tradespeople will donate their services or provide them at reduced rates.
When we met Congressman Paul Tonko, who represents our district, he remarked how our project works so well on many levels.
One of our board members works for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), specializing in the deep retrofit of older buildings. We plan to partner with NYSERDA to provide materials for and instruction in energy conservation.
A major building materials manufacturer is seriously considering a small grant through our YouthBuild partnership. Moreover, they have suggested that we may receive donations of materials and expert volunteers.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
A top priority is securing adequate funding to cover materials for our first projects and for operating expenses for our organization before the sales of the first properties begin to produce a more sustainable funding source. We have spoken with members of Congress who represent our state and district and with state and local government officials. All are very supportive and have made suggestions on how to apply for funding that they have access to and on where to search for additional funding. If we are approved, most of these funds will not be available until 2011.
After successfully completing the first renovation projects, we will have a celebration event to let the neighborhood and city know what can be done.
Then selling the first renovated home and having a family occupy it will complete the first cycle.
These three actions will demonstrate that we are a viable alternative to either razing abandoned houses or cost prohibitive commercial renovation.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
We recently completed a major renovation of a house with some significant historical value. The house was going to be donated to a local fire department as a practice burn down. The renovation required complete gutting, major structural repairs, removal of recent unstable additions and complete installation of new mechanical systems. When we finished, I realized I had gained a lot of knowledge and a little wisdom during many years in construction. Moreover, I had a strong desire to share that knowledge.
While teaching in a program that encourages students from underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, I was becoming frustrated with the challenges of teaching practical applications of these topics in a classroom.
At this time a new program was starting in Albany called Get Unvacant. About 900 vacant houses and buildings had been identified in the city that needed to be renovated and occupied. I was becoming increasingly aware of the potential for residential space within the city and of the imbalances caused by building subdivisions outside of urban areas. Recycling and reusing these vacant houses seemed like an obvious solution.
My desire to teach, to share a wealth of knowledge and to make an impact on improving local communities came together in developing this project.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Robert has been a math and science teacher for 28 years. Since the beginning of his teaching career, he has been a strong proponent of experiential education. While he loves teaching math and science, he has found some of his greatest satisfaction when teaching auto mechanics, furniture construction and musical instrument building. All of these topics provided a wealth of opportunities to demonstrate practical applications of math and science and provided great examples to take back to the regular classroom. One of the best benefits of teaching he has found is what he actually learns through teaching and preparing lessons.
During summer vacations, Robert was hired by the school where he taught to build furniture, to remodel classrooms and offices , and to do major renovation projects. He often used student assistants, gaining insight into teaching practical skills and the importance of experiential education.
During the early years of his construction experience, Robert didn't think much about what was tossed into the construction dumpster. He also didn't consider much more than price when choosing materials or techniques. However, during the last few years he has adopted more and more green building practices and worries about properly recycling or disposing of every scrap. He embraces every opportunity to learn new skills, improve existing ones and better understand the impact of construction materials and techniques on the environment.
Robert has often participated in and managed community service activities both at home and abroad. An avid bicyclist, he has a strong passion for developing and maintaining rail trail parkways. While teaching in Ohio, he organized a student group to help with the conversion and maintenance of an abandoned former music conservatory into a residential and educational facility for Otomi Indians in Queretaro, Mexico. Other student groups continued to follow in future years.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Through another organization or company
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 07/1/2010 by foluking2004
Incentive farm machines/Small scale SMEs machine/Equipment loans,Farm equipments will attract young men to farm/reduce migration to urban centers this tools are easier to use on smaller plots of land thus attractable to small farmers to reduce stress farming.Machine/Equipment loans will fund small SMEs who can't access big SME loans.
Organisation: STOP POVERTY
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherAdresse
SUITES K1 K2 EXPOYO TRADE FAIR COMPLEX
Organization Type
Non-profit/NGO/Citizen-sector Organization
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherDescribe Your Solution
Incentive farm machines/Small scale SMEs machine/Equipment loans,Farm equipments will attract young men to farm/reduce migration to urban centers this tools are easier to use on smaller plots of land thus attractable to small farmers to reduce stress farming.Machine/Equipment loans will fund small SMEs who can't access big SME loans.
Country your work focuses on
If multiple countries, please list them here. If your solution targets an entire region, please select it below
Region(s) your solution focuses on:
Range of turnover in your target firms, in USD
$6-10 Million.
Average turnover in USD of your target firm
Number of employees in your target firms
More than 150.
Average number of employees of your target firm
Specify the size, average and range of expected loans or investments in each target firm
Starting Round
Open accounts for FARMERS in collaborating banks.
Disburse $50 for 3weeks per beneficiary to support livelihood during training, $500 loan on graduating plus or minus the incentive agriculture machinery loans.
5 farmers on $10,500(machine worth) loan
=500,000
Increasing on monthly @10 prospective farmers
What stage is your solution in?
Étape conceptuelle
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovative solution unique?
Targeted to rural labor movement to urban, the innovative farming styles/equipments that will alleviate stress involved in peasant farming which is prevalent in Nigeria which is the underlying factor for such trend.
The farming implement loan innovative solution is unique due to pragmatism in real machine loan employed in finding lasting solutions to seek out and explore social funding models that can compliment and also alleviate reliance on government funding or other cash funding that is misdirected into personal purses.
How does your proposed innovation leverage public intervention in catalyzing private SME finance?
This is a real time initiative based on the visible resource. They can feel the idea as an extension of what they can dream of and execute.
The loans are recoupable in three to five years.
Farm implement incentive Loans meant to reduce labor movements from rural to urban centers. Unequal distribution can lead to food shortages in about five years. The impact is felt in high cost of living.
One organization cannot effectively solve the SME funding issue our organization will focus specifically on Training/machinery loan to the targeted West farmers’ emergency.
Present statistics confirmed in an article in The Daily Times Nigeria report shows that food is now very costly two liters of ice cream costs around 25dolars in Nigeria which is almost times hundred of cost in Europe!
Displacement also increases recruits for miscreant according to a report in the Daily Sun Nigeria.
Small scale Farmers in the West Coast are usually dropouts /semi literates/stark illiterates they cannot access education they account for about 98% in the farmers in the region. Community structures and the Nigerian government haven’t taken sufficient step to mitigate this socio economic pressure or fully address the challenges faced by these small-scale Farmers.
Incentive farm implement loan based intervention will compel the loan beneficiaries to have access to compulsory simplified Agricultural training/machine loan payable in three to five years. The positive experience from South Africa SME initiative can be replicated in other contexts and could make SME loan assistance participatory, empowering, cost efficient and sustainable.
What barriers does your proposed solution address?
Lack of collateral, Lack of financial capacity, Lack of SME access to skills / knowledge / markets, High transaction costs for financial intermediaries to serve SMEs, Underdeveloped local capital markets (term local currency funding, exit options for SME equity), General barriers to SME development related to investment climate, Specific barriers to fragile and weak states.
If you checked any of these barriers, describe how your solution addresses them
I intend to seek for pragmatic funder who is ready to get educated on the Nigerian perspective not on detail jargon by so called African representative who entrench further assault on the continent.
I intend to seek for pragmatic funder who is ready to get educated on the Nigerian perspective not on detail jargon by so called African representative who entrench further assault on the continent.
Considering the hordes of international donors and finance market the huddle of sourcing for funding by the farmers locally from local capital market executes thus eliminating barrier options for SME equity
General barriers to SME development related to investment climate is eliminated, a Specific barrier to fragile and weak states is automatically resolved based on the type of investment. Agricultural investment is natural to the West Coast
Incentive farm implement loan based intervention will compel the loan beneficiaries to have access to compulsory simplified Agricultural training/machine loan payable in three to five years. The positive experience from South Africa SME initiative can be replicated in other contexts and could make SME loan assistance participatory, empowering, cost efficient and sustainable
This initiative will bypass the, High transaction costs for financial intermediaries to serve SMEs through the training scheme which is specifically plotted to strain the true elements in relation to lack of collateral, lack of financial capacity, lack of SME access to skills / knowledge / markets.
Small scale Farmers in the West Coast are usually dropouts /semi literates/stark illiterates they cannot access education they account for about 98% in the farmers in the region.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherProvide empirical evidence of your proposed solution's success/impact at present. If your project is in the idea phase, please provide evidence that speaks to its potential impact
Making cash work; –Silke Pietzsch, ACF-USA, worked in Kenya immediately after post election violence 2008, Based on their findings ACF develop a cash based intervention to support the immediate and longer-term livelihood needs of IDPs and host communities in Nakuru Town.
Land and displacement in Timor-Leste, UNDP & Ministry of Social Solidarity’s TWG developed a ‘cash for return’ program to encourage resettlement of displaced families.2006.
The south African SMES programs
The Zimbabwe option
How many firms do you expect to reach?
Initially the pilot project would focus with up to five seasoned farmers/ five new young farmers by December 2010. Provided fund procured for the project will further be used to increase beneficiaries at 100 farmers annually from December 2011
What is the volume of private SME finance you aim to catalyze?
Phase 1:$7,970,000
Corporate & Large Scale Private Investors | 4,000,000 million
Charitable Investments (trust & foundations) | 3,000,000
Community Investment (local govt & societies) | 400,000
Individual Micro Investors | 470,000
What time frame will be required to reach these targets?
All things possible by 2011 December
Does your solution seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
What would prevent your solution from being a success?
Lack of transparency on my path and my team.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Describe the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
Incentive farm implements loan includes training intervention focused on the introduction/sustainability of modern farming strategies, through vernacular manuals and Agriculture extension experts.
The machinery will reduce strenuous exert of physical labor, and increase production output per person per plot.
Monitoring the horn of Africa interventions which is quite similar to coastal areas are structural, protecting building and rebuilding livelihoods assets which requires an integrated approach to problems that are underlying causes of vulnerability this means going beyond food or cash transfers.
The emphasis of this idea is on reducing vulnerability in the region which is threatened by labor movement from farming villages to cities through initiatives such as this long term farming incentive machinery loan.
Examples
Making cash work; –Silke Pietzsch, ACF-USA, worked in Kenya immediately after post election violence 2008, Based on their findings ACF develop a cash based intervention to support the immediate and longer-term livelihood needs of IDPs and host communities in Nakuru Town.
Land and displacement in Timor-Leste, UNDP & Ministry of Social Solidarity’s TWG developed a ‘cash for return’ program to encourage resettlement of displaced families.2006.
STOP POVERTY incentive farming implements loan intends for Nigeria and later West Africa. The region is not in any immediate crises but a community suffering from poverty as a result of lack of modern implement resulting in labor movement from farming villages to cities.
Percentage of Farm lands that been converted into housing units is growing at an alarming rate of about 5% of the total land mass annually-housing lands can convert to ready cash than a farm land-farming is severely strenuous and many avoid it overly.
This idea will affect this direction effectively.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherList all the funding sources that are required for the sustainability of this solution
Corporate Private Investors, Charitable Investments, Community Investment (societies trusts) Local Govt, Individual Micro Investors & Ngos.
Demonstrate how your proposed solution has the capacity to graduate from dependence on public finance. What is the time frame?
Beneficiaries of The Stop Poverty Incentive Agriculture Machinery loans meant to reduce poverty within the small scale farmers/young new entrants in Western Region pay back their loans.
Simplified training by the machine manufacturers.
Starting with 5 Farmers/5 new young entrants and 4 volunteer Agriculture extension experts in Dec 2010 with a target of 100 farmers/100 new young entrants cum 20 teachers annually by 2011,
Beneficiaries of the special farm implement loan will receive $10000 worth of machinery per recipient through their (stop poverty assisted) saving account with the cooperating banks.
A random questionnaire filled per week per farmer/volunteer teacher during the training/Implementation sessions to measure success level, discipline removal from program.
The number of the farmers 110 by 2011, volunteers teachers 24 by 2011, diversity (seasoned farmers 50%, prospectors 5%, establish farmers 2%, new young farmers 43%) in beneficiaries,
Quality 96% of beneficiaries will be able to pay back their loans and the financial stability of the organization ($3million budget by 2011)
Percentage of farmers grades in training (80% by 2011) volunteer Agriculture extension experts who completed their one-month commitment (85% by 2011) and farmers who completed the first schedule of repayment of the loans 98% by 2011.
Yearly there will be externally audited financial reports. According to the above estimated reports the incentive farm machinery loan of the Stop Poverty innovation will graduate from public funding in its third year completely.
Demonstrate how your proposed solution will survive a potential loss of its largest private funding source
The beneficiaries pay back their loans as produce from their farm hits the markets on a very minimal interest.
The project will survive from this and from soliciting for the local content support in fund raising activities while showcasing the overall benefit of this program to the government and the local community.
Please tell us what kind of partnerships, if any, could be critical to the greater success and sustainability of your innovation
Partnering with giver and program fine tune planners all over the world
Are there non-financial issues that could threaten the sustainability of your proposed solution?
Approximately 300 words left (2400 characters).
Please tell us if your proposed solution aims to scale up through a high growth sector, expand immediately to multiple sectors, and/or scale up geographically
We aim to try service in Ikire farming community then expand the project through out the western states and to any other community that could benefit.
Recording success from this scheme will definitely lure us into other sectors using similar initiative to solve underlying issues and/or scale up geographically.
Created on 06/27/2010 by metroeco
PRAISE gathers capital of all kinds for ecodevelopment in the Philadelphia region. We'll create a capital market that will feed grassroots initiatives which create green jobs. The related Securities and Ecologies Commission (SEC) http://www.greenjobsphilly.org/static_sec.php will measure success by health of community and environment. And PhilaFEL (Philadelphia Fund for Ecological Living) will focus donations for appropriate technologies within lowest-income neighborhoods.
Organisation: Philadelphia Regional & Independent Stock Exchange (PRAISE)
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherPays
États Unis, PA, Philadelphia County
Nom
Philadelphia Regional & Independent Stock Exchange (PRAISE)
Adresse
140 W. Sedgwick St Philadelphia PA 19119
Pays
États Unis, PA, Philadelphia County
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Philadelphia Regional & Independent Stock Exchange (PRAISE)
Country your work focuses on
États Unis, PA, Philadelphia County
Describe Your Idea
PRAISE gathers capital of all kinds for ecodevelopment in the Philadelphia region. We'll create a capital market that will feed grassroots initiatives which create green jobs. The related Securities and Ecologies Commission (SEC) http://www.greenjobsphilly.org/static_sec.php will measure success by health of community and environment. And PhilaFEL (Philadelphia Fund for Ecological Living) will focus donations for appropriate technologies within lowest-income neighborhoods.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
This is the first regional stock exchange focused on green jobs and green technologies. Its capitalization does not rely on dollars exclusively: we will rely on community currencies (I have started these), online barter and trade, and mutual aid systems.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
We are starting when seed money is found,
Problème
Global and national markets seek larger numbers only, with little or no regard for the impact of investment on communities and nature. Most economic decisions are made by distant boardrooms rather than those whose lives are
Results
We will network all community assets to facilitate lower prices and higher standards for community self-reliance with regard to food, fuel, housing, health care, education, mobility, finance.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Building a large enough network of government, business, neighborhood, nonprofit and individual resources to sustain continued networking, which is the core of this effort.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Veuillez sélectionner
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
Étape conceptuelle
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
These are the entities to be most directly involved in transactions. They will back the community credits.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Seed money. Clear interactive website. Eager networkers.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
I've long been concerned about issues of war and peace and environmental sustainability. Having started the Ithaca HOURS local currency, I realized the power of local networks to meet needs with least dependence on distant sources. Expanding this notion to more fully rely on the region's capabilities is the intent of PRAISE.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
I'm founder of Ithaca HOURS local currency, the Ithaca Health Alliance, Citizen Planners of Los Angeles, Philadelphia Orchard Project, Neighborhood Enterprise SchoolTeachers (NESTS), Patch Adams Clinic at Philadelphia, Bicycle Planning Commission, and other groups. Am author of Hometown Money, Health Democracy, Green Jobs Philly, and other books. I teach Metropolitan Ecology at Temple University. Once walked across the U.S. entirely on foot to study people and land.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Friend or family member
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 06/25/2010 by asiegs
Community energy, environment, and sustainability groups are becoming increasingly active. They have a lot of enthusiasm and potential for change, but are not reaching their full potential because they work in isolation of each other. An online tool to foster the sharing of best practices, ideas, learning's, data, etc can drastically enhance and enable these community groups' activities.
Organisation: CleanTowns - Catalyzing community collaborations
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
CleanTowns - Catalyzing community collaborations
Pays
États Unis, MA, Suffolk County
Nom
CleanTowns - Catalyzing community collaborations
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
CleanTowns - Catalyzing community collaborations
Country your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Community energy, environment, and sustainability groups are becoming increasingly active. They have a lot of enthusiasm and potential for change, but are not reaching their full potential because they work in isolation of each other. An online tool to foster the sharing of best practices, ideas, learning's, data, etc can drastically enhance and enable these community groups' activities.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
The Problem
Each of these “community sustainability groups” are at different stages in their maturation and are constantly seeking ways to progress and grow their initiatives. In the early stages of their development, these organizations could benefit enormously by learning how other similar organizations have developed and what their outcomes have been. Once these organizations are established, they can benefit by continually sharing best-practices, sustainable development plans, activity & event ideas, successful and unsuccessful programs, etc. Most importantly, these sustainability groups are constantly reinventing each others ideas, sustainability action plans, etc, because they are working mainly in isolation of each other.
Why Are Community Groups Important?
Community groups have a unique role to play in the transition to a more sustainable society. They are often made up of passionate members, who are willing and interested in devoting significant amounts of their time, energy, and resources to the climate cause, but don't know the best ways to focus their efforts. If you start looking closely, there are 10's or 100's of these groups in every state. If you research further, you will get a sense for the potential influence and impact they may have, but you will also notice that they're not achieving anywhere near their potential.
The Solution
CleanTowns.org is unique because it caters specifically to the needs of these community groups. There are nearly an infinite number of websites that help individuals understand their footprint and suggest more sustainable behaviors, but none are targeted to the unique needs of community groups. I have conducted numerous interviews with climate, environment, and sustainability focused community groups from across the country to determine the technology needs that can most enable and enhance those groups' activities.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
The web platform is not yet developed, so we have not yet made an impact. However, once the platform is in place, we have partnerships with a variety of organizations, which will in turn drive significant and scalable positive impacts.
Problème
Each of these “community sustainability groups” are at different stages in their maturation and are constantly seeking ways to progress and grow their initiatives. In the early stages of their development, these organizations could benefit enormously by learning how other similar organizations have developed and what their outcomes have been. Once these organizations are established, they can benefit by continually sharing best-practices, sustainable development plans, activity & event ideas, successful and unsuccessful programs, etc. Most importantly, these sustainability groups are constantly reinventing each other’s ideas, action plans, etc, because they are working mainly in isolation of each other.
Nearly every interview I conducted identified the fact that there is no central location, no “one stop shop” that presents all of the resources available for a town’s sustainability campaign in an organized fashion. As the Lexington leader described, “Lexington does not know how to even start their community campaign” and would greatly benefit from a resource that explains the steps they can take to begin their campaign.
Actions
We have partnered with a number of local community groups, web developers, and other strategic organizations like the MA Sierra Club. Each group brings its own unique resources, knowledge, and capabilities to create a well-rounded team that is grounded on the issue we how to solve.
Results
The website is meant as a tool to better enable on-the-ground sustainability efforts. Because of the large number of sustainability-related community groups and the potential those community groups each hold, the potential impact of cleantowns.org is great. We expect hundreds of community groups to join the site and have developed mechanisms to seek out those community groups and teach them about the usefulness of the site for their needs.
The value of cleantowns.org is vastly dependent on the size of the membership. Therefore it is of key importance for us to develop a network of community groups that can use the site, and that the site caters to all of their needs. When that is the case, we expect the results to be tremendous.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Timely website development. The website needs to be developed as soon as possible, considering these community groups are popping up in towns and cities across the country at an accelerating rate. If the website is not in place as those groups form and grow, they will turn to other less relevant online platforms.
Usefulness of ever-evolving content. We have been, and continue to find and vet content that will be most useful to our target community groups. This content will help seed the online community and provide valuable information, data, guides, resources, etc to grow and enhance these groups' activities.
Personal (offline) connections with community groups. An online platform alone cannot catalyze change. The platform must be connected with strong on-the-ground networks for it to succeed. We have been, and will continue to, grow and nurture these on-the-ground networks, which the website will supplement.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
The project would not be a success if any of the above conditions were not met. If we do not develop the website in a timely fashion, these community groups will likely adopt less useful platforms for their activities. If the content we create is not useful for the community groups, the groups will not use the site. If we do not make the proper offline connections, we will not have a rich, dynamic, and vibrant online community.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$1000 - 4000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Votre organisation est-elle une
Pas inscrit
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Non
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Veuillez sélectionner
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Partnering with the Sierra Club
Partnering with the MA Sierra Club is of key importance because their organization provides a very efficient and cost-effective managerial layer between the state and local entities. Tying to a centralized organization can further enable idea and practice sharing versus the creation of new entities in each town and city. The MA Sierra Club efforts will be the “tail that wags the dog.”
Partnerships
To make this platform successful, it is of key importance to engage with a large and diverse group of partners, who can each add a unique perspective and set of resources. I have already met with numerous potential partners and am working to develop a community of partners that can contribute to this cause.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
1. Proper web development
2. Stronger links with existing community groups and networks of community groups that are focusing on climate efforts
3. Development of content that is valuable and tailored to the communities in need
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
I found about this vast and highly important underutilized resource of community groups working on a class project at MIT. Through research and interviews, I realized how many of these groups there are and how quickly new ones are forming, but also how much simple technologies can effectively enable their efforts.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
I am focused on and excited about large scale change. Solving environmental issues is my passion and I have been pursuing that through corporate social responsibility (CSR). I have worked with a range of great companies from Staples to IBM to Seventh Generation and others over the past few years and now I'm at a point where I feel like I have a good pulse on how the world is changing and what I can do to help accelerate that change. Through my CSR work and some volunteer activities I've noticed that one of the most significant leverage points we have to accelerate the sustainability/CSR/social entrepreneurship/environmental movements is through collaboration -- deep, facilitated collaboration -- that draws on the skills, resources, capabilities, and passion of everyone involved. But a lot of my experience has shown how difficult that is. I get excited when I hear about what community groups are already doing to alleviate climate issues and want to find ways to accelerate and empower them.
I graduated MIT with my MBA a year ago. While I was there, I started Sustainability@MIT, a student, faculty, staff, and alumni club with over 600 members now. I also helped found the MIT Sustainability Summit, which has organized and hosted two great conferences now.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Email from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 06/22/2010 by Carolyn TBR
We are a collective of people committed to removing bikes from the waste stream and getting them back on the streets to low income community members who need affordable transportation. Operating on a volunteer basis out of donated spaces, we also organize educational events on bicycling as transportation, urban renewal and community building.Troy Bike Rescue also brings people together across class and gender divides to come and share spaces and learn about each others lives.
Organisation: Troy Bike Rescue
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherPays
États Unis, NY, Rensselaer County
Pays
États Unis, NY, Rensselaer County
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherCountry your work focuses on
États Unis, NY, Rensselaer County
Describe Your Idea
We are a collective of people committed to removing bikes from the waste stream and getting them back on the streets to low income community members who need affordable transportation. Operating on a volunteer basis out of donated spaces, we also organize educational events on bicycling as transportation, urban renewal and community building.Troy Bike Rescue also brings people together across class and gender divides to come and share spaces and learn about each others lives.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
Troy Bike Rescue's (TBR) motto is "mutual aid and respect."
This translates into an all volunteer project that promotes bicycling as environmentally friendly transportation and works to create an open space for everyone. Racism, misogyny, hetero-sexism and other forms of oppression are not tolerated in our shop or other events. TBR addresses oppressive actions or statements that take place within the shop environment.
TBR also addresses the income and class disparity in Troy. Many volunteers come from the prestigious university located in our city. Traditionally, the university told its students to stay out of the downtown neighborhood where the shop is located. TBR provides one of the only spaces in the city where the two communities can come in and interact with one another, learn from each other, and work together.
Community partnerships are also a fundamental part of Troy Bike Rescue. Social Change does not occur in a vacuum. Instead, it takes a consistent, encompassing approach. TBR is expanding partnerships with local groups, non profits, and religious organizations to build bicycling into their programming. From TBR's work with the Missing Like Street Ministry, to the bicycle tours of different parts of Troy's urban culture, the project has seen a steady increase in cycling as a bridge building activity in a run down city.
Troy Bike Rescue works to encourage everyone to ride bicycles. The program assists people who cannot afford automobiles with an affordable option, while encouraging people who can afford a car to ride a bike instead. With reducing carbon emissions and the environmental impact of petroleum consumption, TBR sees bicycling as an affordable green alternative that can be a very applicable option to slowing down the effects of global warming.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Troy Bike Rescue's (TBR) motto is "community aid and mutual respect."
This is a volunteer project that promotes bicycling as environmentally friendly transportation and works to create an open space for everyone.
TBR has hosted one open night shop each week in Troy for the past two years, and 20-30 individuals typically pass through the shop looking for assistance at that time. During this time, volunteers show people how to repair their bicycles or assist them with project bikes. Project bikes are bicycles that are donated to the shop, and need some repair work. Once repaired, the bicycle adopter can take the bike home. TBR usually asks for a suggested donation of either money to cover the shops operating costs, or for the individual to come back and volunteer for the organization.
TBR has seen a steady increase of people coming to the shop for repair assistance. This open shop has helped a lot of low income individuals who didn't have access or could afford a local bike shop's prices maintain their primary means of transportation.
Last year, TBR talked to several people of color, low income individuals and college students who had been ticketed by the police for not having bells and lights on their bikes. TBR started stocking bells and lights at cost or for free for people who needed them for their bikes. This year, TBR has established a positive relationship with the community police force, which has alleviated some of the oppressive actions. TBR is still working on improving the city's relationship with all kinds of cyclists. TBR is also working with the local community police agencies at their bicycle events to bridge a link between the police and people.
TBR is a place for kids to come in off the street and hang out in a structured environment and earn a bicycle.
For the past two years, TBR has also donated recycled kids bicycles to the local domestic violence program's housing project. This project gives bikes to kids may not get one otherwise.
Problème
Troy NY is a small, economically depressed city that lacks some fundamental resources for its community. About 14.3% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over, according to the census in 2000.
TBR focuses on promoting bicycles as a reliable form of transportation considering the current focus on oil shortages, economic recession, and climate change. Troy NY does not have an expansive public transportation network, and many of its citizens cannot afford a car. A bicycle provides an effective, green, self-reliant mode of transportation.
TBR also addresses the income and class disparity in Troy. Many volunteers come from the prestigious university located in our city. Traditionally, the university told its students to stay out of the downtown neighborhood where the shop is located. TBR provides one of the only spaces in the city where the two communities can come in and interact with one another, learn from each other, and work together.
Actions
Troy Bike Rescue has a regular shop schedule, community events, and is expanding its outreach opportunities.
Monday nights are open shop. This night focuses on teaching people how to fix their bicycles, and helping people repair their project bikes. This is currently the most popular shop evening.
Wednesdays are Learn & Earn. This night focuses on teaching specific skills or participating in shop projects. Here attendees learn how to specific bike repair skills, like wheel rebuilding. Shop projects include sorting and cleaning parts for recycling.
TBR also added a Women, Femmes, and Trans night to the shop, to promote the idea that everyone was welcome in the shop. Currently it is once a month, but it has had a positive effect on diversifying the shop's attendance during other nights. Once people knew everyone was welcome, the shop clients became more diverse.
TBR has organized a variety of community events, such as group rides, film festivals and Bike Bike Northeast. This programming focuses on expanding bicycle culture and awareness of community bike projects in the Capital District and beyond.
Results
Troy Bike Rescue is becoming a bridge organization between city projects that have either served the upper white middle class in the area, and the low income people of color population in the city.
Troy Bike Rescue has seen a lot of people pass through the shop and participating. Kids have been coming in off the street to learn about bicycles and have stayed on to volunteer. Troy's community police force has come out in support of the project, after being anti-cyclist over the past two years.
The growth of the core volunteers has also added exponentially to what the project can accomplish. New programs are being implemented and tangential community contacts are being solidified.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
First Year:
1. Formalize organization structure and volunteer roles. Currently, TBR is examining what it would mean to stay a small business or transfer into a non-profit. Troy NY has traditionally been opposed to non-profits, so TBR is weighing whether or not it would be effective for the organization to do it.
2. Expand the core volunteer group. Over the next year, with more core volunteers, new programming and organizational networking is occurring.
3. New relationships are being established with community groups and local farmers markets.
4. Implement strategic planning with its expanded membership to see what options will be possible in the next 5 years. Carolyn Braunius, one of the original core volunteers, is trained in facilitated leadership models and strategic planning from the World Bridge Institute.
5. Begin looking at available spaces within the Troy area to see if expansion is viable and economically possible.
6. Organize community events focusing on expanding bicycle culture.
7. Add satellite bike spaces in the north end of the city, beginning with a mobile repair unit with the Missing Link Street Ministry.
Second year:
1. Evaluate last year's work and see what projects should be continued and what projects might need revamping.
2. Continue to expand community connections and participation. See if moving to a larger space would be a possibility.
3. Develop allies within the community to expand bicycle culture and participation.
4. Continue to recruit and train volunteers.
5. Expand the mobile repair units to more solidified structures, within the north end of Troy. This may include purchasing a shipping container to be the base of operations there. The Missing Link Street Ministry already owns a vacant lot in North Troy and has offered it to TBR for program use.
Third Year:
1. Find a larger space for operations and storage for Troy Bike Rescue's central location.
2. Repeat Year 2 Goals.
3. Evaluate last years work and see where the program can expand and improve.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Troy Bike Rescue relies heavily on donated space. Our current shop and storage place are donated by sympathetic landlords. If we lost our spaces, we would have to reorganize our shop and inventory of donated items, which would most likely halt our community involvement. Finding a secure location to base TBR operations would help secure the organization's presence in the community.
TBR also relies on volunteer hours to complete all administrative and shop functions. Currently the main shop organizers are hosting shop hours and performing all administrative tasks. New volunteers are coming in that are interested in helping with more of the administrative shop work.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis plus de 5 ans
Votre organisation est-elle une
Entreprise
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
The Sanctuary For Independet Media
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non-monetary partnerships with government?
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
TBR's partnership with the Sanctuary For Independent Media has provided the organization with a venue for doing larger bicycle culture promoting events. TBR has hosted several events at the Sanctuary, which have been well attended.
The Sanctuary connected TBR with the Missing Link Street Ministry. This relationship brings TBR into a direct connection with an undeserved population in Troy. The Missing Link has provided TBR with an outdoor space for bicycle clinics and rodeos on an ongoing basis.
TBR is also building a relationship with the local social services organization Unity House, to provide families receiving services from them with bicycles. TBR is looking to expand that project and other programming within the organization.
TBR also has worked with the Honest Weight Food Cooperative and the Community Gardens to promote cycling and local food as urban environmental activism.
This network of community organizations brings together communities that have been previously polarized. This diverse growth creates sustainability.TBR is able to bring services to people who need them, while raising awareness in the activist community on issues concerning urban poverty.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
1. Space: We have currently outgrown our donated workshop space and have been unable easily assist everyone who comes into Troy Bike Rescue for open shop or other shop programs. TBR is also developing a fleet of cargo bikes for community involvement; however, the shop doesn't have a place to store them inside, out of the elements. The organization has also received a lot of donated bicycles. Currently, there is a free space to store them in a building that is for sale. If the building is sold, TBR would have to relocate or dispose of the backup stock.
2. Time: TBR has been give a lot of bicycles and other donations from the local communities. However, there is now a large pile of bicycles throughout the city that need to be processed, into either bikes for the shop or stripped down for steel recycling. Since everyone at the shop volunteers and the shop is operating at capacity, it has been difficult to carve out time to sort through the large pile of bicycles that TBR has accumulated. TBR is developing a plan to streamline its operations, it is just now looking to schedule time for volunteers to come and help process the inventory. TBR also needs to support itself and formalize its organizational structure, and data keeping from paper to an electronic system.
3. Resources. TBR is expanding its programming and is planning on purchasing a large amount of tools and supplies to support project expansion. TBR also has to purchase new items for bicycles that cannot be recycled, such as brake pads and tires. Since the organization will not refuse services to someone if they are unable to make a cash donation, TBR sometimes has to swallow the cost of these items.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that you led to this innovation?
Troy Bike Rescue, in its infancy was merely a social mechanism to bring people together (often over a potluck or parking lot barbecue) to fix bicycles. The inspiration was truly the heaps of twisted bicycles that were found in dumpsters, garbage piles, and roadsides in the city of Troy. These bicycles were at once symbols of the culture of over-consumption, the ubiquity of disposable goods, and human expertise at waste production.
As early volunteers collected them, and brainstormed ways to involve the community in addressing these issues, it became apparent that the mechanical simplicity of the modern bicycles, as well as its many interchangeable parts could be a powerful icon of the creation of a more sane and sustainable culture that thrives on re-use and recycling. In the months and years that followed, the project naturally evolved to become one that could sustain itself through varying kinds of leadership and participation and take on a meaningful relationship with the larger community and city. Today TBR is a well-respected collectively organized project that interfaces with community members on a daily basis, meeting needs, building allies, making friends, and continuing to grow and evolve.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Andrew Lynn began Troy Bike Rescue as part of his Master's Project at Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began pulling bicycles out of dumpsters and repairing them. His solo project slowly began gaining volunteers, produced a free bicycle fleet for the city, and taught a lot of people about maintaining their own bicycles. Andrew left Troy in 2004 to go to NYC. There, he became involved in bicycle advocacy groups and other community bike projects. When he returned to Troy in 2008, he became involved in the project again, and started expanding the vision of what a community bike space could do in the community.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Friend or family member
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 06/11/2010 by ScottJ
From our earlier work with popularizing 2-wheel tractors we understood the power of the market. If led in the right directions, if information flows fairly if the right entrepreneurs are targeted it has the power to bring innovations and technologies nationwide.
Organisation: National Agriculture and Environmental Forum, Nepal
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
Nom
National Agriculture and Environmental Forum, Nepal
Adresse
Headquarters Narayanpath # 7 Siddharthanagar, Bhairahawa Ph: (977) 71-526357 Mob: (977) 98570-20032 Bagmati Regional Office Su
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
How long has this organization been operating?
Plus 5 années
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Energy for Agriculture and Rural Development
Describe your Social Enterprise
From our earlier work with popularizing 2-wheel tractors we understood the power of the market. If led in the right directions, if information flows fairly if the right entrepreneurs are targeted it has the power to bring innovations and technologies nationwide.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovation unique?
Much of the current emphasis on development of agriculture is promotion of high value crops and increasing access to markets. In Nepal, this has had limited success as farmers take their high value crops to market find that the market price is usually dictated by imported Indian and Chinese vegetables and fruits that are grown by more mechanized and therefore efficient and productive Indian and Chinese farmers. Building on what we have learned from Chinese and especially Bangladeshi farmers we have lead a coalition of partners- projects, farmers, and private sector to bring in inexpensive Chinese two-wheel tractors, rotovators, trailers now numbering close to 10,000 tractors. Through a informal network of owners / service providers these machines are providing a wide range of tillage, harvesting, threshing and transport services to over 100,000 farmers in Nepal.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
First the tractor itself is a small and medium enterprise that has brought a new income generation option for many small land holders who have bought the machine. They earn income by selling their services- tillage, transportation etc, to their neighboring small farmers who have not had access to larger 4-wheel tractor services to their small and fragmented holdings. These service providers on average provide tillage services to over 30 farm households per season and they many times provide the service on a credit basis, something the larger 4-wheel tractors do not do.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
The work is not so much unique because the idea of agricultural and rural mechanization is not new, but as a domain for nearly the last 20 years it has not received any emphasis, input or guidance from the traditional donors, aid agencies, international or national agriculture research institutes due to perceived failures of small farm mechanization efforts in during the first green revolution. Due to this neglect by donors, aid agencies, etc., essentially left machinery inputs to whims of the private sector manufacturers and importers, who left unguided, simply borrowed ideas from USA and Europe and the highly mechanized (massive tractors and combine harvesters). Fine for large farmers and zamindhars especially of the north western gangetic plains but left the small farmers of the east with no choice. No technology between the large tractors and bullock drawn plows-combine and sickle
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
We continue to advise and advocate the importance of agricultural and rural mechanization processes through the Department and Ministry of Agriculture in Nepal. WE provide advsory and even technical (training) services to their agricultural machinery programs.
To strengthen the market/supply of agromachinery we are organizing the agro-machinery importers into Agricultural Machinery Merchants Association.
One of the most beneficial programs we have is the training of rural pumpset mechanics. When the tracror enters into new areas the potential buyers are most concern about who will repair their tractors. We found that there was a small but significant group of diesel engine pumpset mechanics across the terai. Instead of attempting to start and train from scractch we simply find these mechanics and up grade their skills though our training programs to where they are now many times known as 2-wheel tractor mechanics. They also have become a conduit of spare parts into the the rural areas and they are now serving as rural sales agents earning extra income on the sales that they make.
We continue to engage in national and international workshops searching for potential new technologies and new ideas that will be of use to Nepalese farmers.
We have also been promoting the research for Conservation Agriculture (zero till) attachments for two-wheel tractors that will lead to increased soil health and reduced water / irrigation needs.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
We first want to understand more completely the poverty and environmental impacts we have had with our two-wheel tractors and agricultural biomass stoves. Currently this is out of our financial reach, but we know that success via our innovation learning systems approach is gauging what is working, who it is working for, and then tailoring future actions to maximize impact for our target groups. We know that to focus more impact on the extreme poor we desperately need to get our technologies brought into existing mezzo and micro credit programs. The adoption of our technologies and methodologies in more developing countries around the world. Currently we are actively advising and working within programs in Afghanistan and Haiti. We feel that there are many other countries resource poor farmers who could benefit greatly from these technologies.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
We write about the importance of mechanization (upcoming article Diverse Patterns of Agricultural Mechanisation: Reopening the Rural Development & Energy Policy Debates ByStephen Biggs* and Scott Justice** is from agriculture and how little
We are also seeking funding on a cross regional study on national energy policies including agricultural mechanization.
And as mentioned before we are engaged with the Ministry of Agricultural through various meetings and forums
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat stage is your Social Enterprise in?
En place depuis plus de 5 ans
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
AS we ae a very small organization our partnerships are extremely important. As mentioned earlier partnerships with the private sector at grass roots with the pumpset mechanics and at the national level with the importers is curcial in the spread of this technology.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
We have a vision but no real strategic plan. Budgets limits us to more ad hoc/targets of opportunity. Our hope is to eventually establish a not from profit company that could import 2-wheel tractors and other new machinery that we feel has potenital but that the other importers are not convinced and therefore not importing.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Seeing farmers in Nepal using hand hoes for their total land preparation
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
Approximately 250 words left (2000 characters).
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Personal contact at Changemakers
If through another source, please provide the information
You can create a Changeshop from this competition entry in order to gain access to new partnership and funding opportunities!
Create my Changeshop.
Created on 06/8/2010 by
• 1000 Kiskos will be set up with four urinals each.
• 1 lire of urine can produce 1 kw of power, enough to light a 50w bulb for 20 hours, it’s claimed.
Organisation: Youth For Human Rights International, Delhi
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Nom
Youth For Human Rights International, Delhi
Téléphone
+919910106509,+919811235556,
Adresse
Mr. G.K.Karthigaikhumara, Deputy Executive Director, YHRI - India, New Delhi.
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Urine: A ‘Clean’ Energy Source
Describe your Social Enterprise
• 1000 Kiskos will be set up with four urinals each.
• 1 lire of urine can produce 1 kw of power, enough to light a 50w bulb for 20 hours, it’s claimed.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovation unique?
Pee power is based on hydrogen, the most common element in the universe but one that has resisted efforts to produce, store, transport and use economically.
Storing pure hydrogen gas requires high pressure and low temperature. New nanomaterials with high surface areas can adsorb hydrogen, but have yet to be produced on a commercial scale.
Chemically binding hydrogen to other elements, like oxygen to create water, makes it easier to store and transport, but releasing the hydrogen when it's needed usually requires financially prohibitive amounts of electricity.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
Using a nickel-based electrode, the scientists can create large amounts of cheap hydrogen from urine that could be burned or used in fuel cells.
Pee power is based on hydrogen, the most common element in the universe but one that has resisted efforts to produce, store, transport and use economically.
Storing pure hydrogen gas requires high pressure and low temperature. New nanomaterials with high surface areas can adsorb hydrogen, but have yet to be produced on a commercial scale.
Chemically binding hydrogen to other elements, like oxygen to create water, makes it easier to store and transport, but releasing the hydrogen when it's needed usually requires financially prohibitive amounts of electricity.
By attaching hydrogen to another element, nitrogen, it is realized that they can store hydrogen without the exotic environmental conditions, and then release it with less electricity, 0.037 Volts instead of the 1.23 Volts needed for water.
One molecule of urea, a major component of urine, contains four atoms of hydrogen bonded to two atoms of nitrogen. Stick a special nickel electrode into a pool of urine, apply an electrical current, and hydrogen gas is released.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
POWER TO PEOPLE
1 litre of urine will make 1 kw of power which will be used to light billboards.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
LOO & BEHOLD
1. WASTE COLLECTION
Waste is collected from waterless urinals and transported to portable power plants.
2. POWER GENERATION
Water, hydrogen are produced from the decomposition of bio-degradable components of urine.
e.g. RO membrane Impurities, Virus, Bacteria, Proteins
3. REVERSE OSMOSIS
Water is cleaned by reverse osmosis and can be used for industrial purposes, power is generated from hydrogen.
4. POWER TO PEOPLE
1 litre of urine will make 1 kw of power which will be used to light billboards.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
USES
• 1000 Kiskos will be set up with four urinals each.
• 1 lire of urine can produce 1 kw of power, enough to light a 50w bulb for 20 hours, it’s claimed.
• 1,000 kiskos will be able to generate 20,000 KW of power from 100 litres of urine
• When water is not used to flush, approximately, 2,00,000 litres of water per urinal is saved.
• COST Rs. 1.5 lakh
URINE UTILITY
• Ohio University scientists have found a way to produce hydrogen energy from urine that can be used to run cars. The prototype is capable of generating 500 milliwatts of power. The research team, led by professor Gerardine Botte, hopes to create commercial versions of the technology.
• In 2005, physicists in Singapore succeeded in creating the first paper battery that generates electricity from urine. This battery is seen as the perfect power source for cheap, disposable healthcare test-kits for disease such as diabetes.
• Japanese urine-powered batteries can be recharged with urine and other body fluids. Supposed to last 10 years, it pumps out 500 milliamp-hours (mAh)
• In Sweden, pilot projects were carried out to convert animal urine into fertilizer by converting urine into a white powder first. The powdered from stays longer in the soil and is also devoid of pharmaceutical leftovers.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Moins de 100
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$50 - 100
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
URINE UTILITY
• Ohio University scientists have found a way to produce hydrogen energy from urine that can be used to run cars. The prototype is capable of generating 500 milliwatts of power. The research team, led by professor Gerardine Botte, hopes to create commercial versions of the technology.
• In 2005, physicists in Singapore succeeded in creating the first paper battery that generates electricity from urine. This battery is seen as the perfect power source for cheap, disposable healthcare test-kits for disease such as diabetes.
• Japanese urine-powered batteries can be recharged with urine and other body fluids. Supposed to last 10 years, it pumps out 500 milliamp-hours (mAh)
• In Sweden, pilot projects were carried out to convert animal urine into fertilizer by converting urine into a white powder first. The powdered from stays longer in the soil and is also devoid of pharmaceutical leftovers.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat stage is your Social Enterprise in?
Étape conceptuelle
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
Partnerships are very important for successful implementation of indea or a Project so We do feel that partnerships should be done to make Project a gand success.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
Finances
• COST Rs. 1.5 lakh
Funding
All Big Corporate houses and NGO's and also ministry of renewable Sources.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Pollution in the cities and quick use of renewable energies at a faster rate.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
My brother luv kalra who is a engineer and also a partner of this idea because of him we are able to develop this idea.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another source, please provide the information
Created on 06/7/2010 by eco eco project
Design for adaptive reuse the old First Baptist Church in downtown Phoenix. The building and property are owned by Housing Opportunities, a local affordable housing non-profit. We would like to transform this building into a multi-use facility consisting of: affordable housing, market rate housing, public service industry offices, urban farm/ public park, and produces its own renewable energy.
Organisation: eco eco project
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
Adresse
2338 W. Lindner #32 Mesa, AZ 85202
Pays
États Unis, AZ, Maricopa County
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
eco eco project, First Baptist Church Housing and Public Utility Park
Describe your Social Enterprise
Design for adaptive reuse the old First Baptist Church in downtown Phoenix. The building and property are owned by Housing Opportunities, a local affordable housing non-profit. We would like to transform this building into a multi-use facility consisting of: affordable housing, market rate housing, public service industry offices, urban farm/ public park, and produces its own renewable energy.
Country your work focuses on
États Unis, AZ, Maricopa County
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovation unique?
Project Innovation:
The project is innovative and unique because:
The building program is truly mixed use consisting of housing for a variety of income levels. The affordable housing, urban farm, public electrical utility, and public service offices are in a sense subsidized by the for-profit or market rate spaces in the building. The market rate spaces include housing, restaurants, etc. This will be done by providing new building space, preserved old building space, farm and park space, and a solar shade canopy.
Traditionally design firms take on projects for non-profit organizations either pro-bono or at a discounted price. This usually results in the project being something the design firm gets to when there is less for-profit work to do. Often the project suffers as a result; and non-profit projects are typically pushed out of the market and their needs go unmet. Eco Eco Project is entirely non-profit by design and for design. We only wish to do projects that serve the community and protect the environment.
Organization Innovation:
Who are we:
eco eco project is a non-profit corporation based in Phoenix, Arizona. Eco eco project’s purpose is to provide sustainable/green design, consultation, and construction services to underserved communities and organizations. Eco eco project is comprised of inspired young architects and designers who are working to make a difference using our passion and training.
Who we serve:
Eco eco project serves: low to moderate-income communities, non-profit and non-governmental charitable agencies, small business communities, and anyone who shares our fundamental mission for socially and environmentally responsible design.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
The social impact of this innovation of delivering design and consulting services will impact the community by: engaging professionals, government officials, non-profit and governmental institutions, and community members in project and design development. For the First Baptist Church project we will be engaging the neighboring community who presently occupies an affordable housing building, a group of professionals who participate in a networking group called Places, Spaces and Faces who work to preserve historic buildings and promote urban pluralistic culture in Phoenix. We will also be working with the non-profit Housing Opportunities; Terry Goddard (Attorney General of Arizona) sits on the board of this organization. The innovation present here is the bringing together of various community interests in the preservation of a historic building while creating affordable housing; and building a community asset.
Presently, we are at the beginning of this process. We have been working without funds. We have collected information about the existing building, and have networked with the community in obtaining information and generating interest. In October we will be presenting a preliminary proposal to the community. This event will take place in the only space in the building that is safe to occupy. An organization called Release the Fear, which teaches art to young people as a means of mitigating violence, occupies that space. The presentation will be a past present and future of the building. The presenters will discuss the past of the building, Release the Fear will discuss their activities, and then eco eco project will share the proposal for the future of the building and invite further community involvement in the project.
To date many people are excited about this project. So far we have shared our vision with: Robert Miley of Release the Fear, Attorney General of Arizona and gubernatorial candidate Terry Goddard, and many design professionals in the area. It is our intent to further develop this well-rounded work dynamic.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
The primary problems that our innovation is addressing are:
The availability of quality affordable housing in the Phoenix metro area.
The availability of sustainable affordable housing.
The preservation of historic buildings as community assets.
The availability of professional design services to non-profits companies and other community serving agencies.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
Partnerships: Local architecture and construction firms, National and local non-profit agencies, local public servants.
We envision the growth of eco eco project to develop into an organization whose work and impact is known around the world. One of our ideas for growth is ironically inspired by the corporate ethos of franchise. Part of our mission is to support young professionals in other cities around the world to develop a franchise of eco eco project. Phoenix is the original home of eco eco project, but, our vision for the future may include an eco eco project Mumbai, eco eco project Porte Au Prince; the possibilities are without limit. It is our vision of franchise that could transform a local impact to a global impact.
Funding Sources:
Eco eco project will get it’s funding from the following sources: local, state, and federal government agencies, private charitable foundations and grant making institutions, generous individuals, some wealthy institutions and organizations like professional sport franchises, and responsible corporations. Eco eco project will not accept funds from any organizations or individuals whose activities: willfully pollute the environment; contribute to harmful social inequity, and cause harmful effects to human health. We recognize that while accepting such funds would allow work to be done, it would also corrupt our integrity, and quietly condone irresponsible behavior; and thus undermine our work and purpose.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
Year 1:
Acquire community support for First Baptist Church Project.
Complete conceptual design for project
Use design to generate interest and funds for the project and organization.
Research and pursuer funding sources
Redesign website and refine mission as needed.
Pursue additional projects. Building projects for an orphanage in Tanzania called Baobab Home (NGO), and in Mexico for a World Child Project (NGO)
Year 2:
Have funding sources in place.
Staff working full-time on projects and company development.
Engage local media in project.
Develop energy conservation plan for Phoenix and neighboring municipalities.
Develop waste reduction plan for Phoenix and neighboring municipalities.
Continue to develop community and professional network of support and participation.
Continue work of First Baptist Church design and document production.
Proceed to preconstruction phase, and begin construction.
Year 3:
Propose energy conservation plan to city officials, and energy companies.
Propose waste reduction plan to city officials and waste management companies.
First Baptist Church construction underway.
Engage local media in project phase.
Pursue plan to franchise project to other cities.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
More than $4000
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
How we would like to impact policy:
Advocate for affordable housing and public projects become a community priority.
Affect local energy and waste policies in an effort to improve energy efficiency and waste reduction.
Advocate for a municipal composting program modeled after San Francisco's program.
Work with the municipalities to improve energy performance of building codes.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat stage is your Social Enterprise in?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
We are presently working with local business, government, and local NGOs. However, this working relationship is not a formal partnership. If work progress is able to continue then formal partnerships would form and would be necessary to move into further design development for the First Baptist Church project.
As we make more progress on the First Baptist Church project formal partnerships would be required with: Housing Opportunities, Release the Fear, City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and local business.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
Eco eco project will get it’s funding from the following sources: local, state, and federal government agencies, private charitable foundations and grant making institutions, generous individuals, some wealthy institutions and organizations like professional sport franchises, and responsible corporations. Eco eco project will not accept funds from any organizations or individuals whose activities: willfully pollute the environment; contribute to harmful social inequity, and cause harmful effects to human health. We recognize that while accepting such funds would allow work to be done, it would also corrupt our integrity, and quietly condone irresponsible behavior; and thus undermine our work and purpose.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
During my extended unemployment I have had time to think about the difference my chosen profession of architecture makes. During this time I have thought about all the people and institutions that could benefit from the services of architects but usually cannot afford the services.
Doing work for the paying customers did not feed my soul. On the rare occasion that the for-profit work was sustainable, in the grand scheme of things it still did not make a difference. All I want to do, with the partnership of my colleagues is make a difference for the community and the planet by using our education and training.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
Patrick Donato is a 34 year old father and step-father. Patrick grew-up in Boston, MA; and went to college at Arizona State University. Patrick loves architecture and design, and he cares deeply about the environment and social equality.
Patrick finished his master degree in architecture in 2006; and then he began working for a local corporate architecture firm where he worked on medical and senior/adult care buildings. Patrick began to observe that he could not contribute in the manner he would like to in solely a corporate work environment.
Simultaneously Patrick was participating in seminars at Landmark Education. One seminar asked the participants to develop a community project. This is when Patrick originally thought of eco eco project. In June 2008 Patrick lost his job. Unable to find another job, Patrick and his family suffered the same results as many other American families did. Rather than despair Patrick got serious about eco eco project.
Patrick and his colleagues are now attempting to get this organization on its feet financially. Patrick regards this as a learning and training opportunity, and he looks forward to further expanding his leadership skills.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Friend or family member
If through another source, please provide the information
Created on 06/7/2010 by shubu7488
Tannery industries of India are creating major pollutions to our water bodies & underground water source. Its heavy metal contamination leads to many diseases for both humans and animals.
My project “Banana Peel based Heavy Metal industrial effluent treatment” provides cheap & efficient solution to it.
Organisation: GLOBAL INNOVATION VILLAGE (GIVE 10), Center for sustainable rural development and research(CSRDRS)
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
Nom
GLOBAL INNOVATION VILLAGE (GIVE 10), Center for sustainable rural development and research(CSRDRS)
Adresse
GIVE 10, CSRDRS, VIT University, vellore, Tamil Nadu, Pin- 632014
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
How long has this organization been operating?
Plus 5 années
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
GREEN TECHNOLOGY: REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS BY EFFICIENT BIOLOGICAL WASTE- "BANANA PEEL"
Describe your Social Enterprise
Tannery industries of India are creating major pollutions to our water bodies & underground water source. Its heavy metal contamination leads to many diseases for both humans and animals.
My project “Banana Peel based Heavy Metal industrial effluent treatment” provides cheap & efficient solution to it.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovation unique?
Industrial effluents cause main threat to the rural areas and the living habitat of that ecosystem. Biological waste has the potential to be reused in productive output. This study describes the use of banana peel, a commonly produced fruit waste, for the removal of heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Co, etc from industrial wastewater.
Rice straw, raw seaweed (Sargassum sp.), tea factory waste, maize corn cob, sugarcane bagasse, almond and sawdust are generally used as biosorbents. But these have other uses as well when compared to banana peel which has no further use, commonly produced fruit waste. Banana peel is suitable as biosorbent due to its easy availability and high sorption capacity of heavy metals. Currently only inefficient and expensive chemical based tannery effluent treatment method is there, showing 42% efficiency. While my bio based tannery effluent treatment by Banana Peel is an unique, efficient and cheap technology, showing 70%-80% efficiency.
Thus the above described technique is an efficient and immediate mode of wastewater treatment; having a long term impact and not using the conventional treatment which include the high cost of safely disposing the sludge and expensive chemicals for treating industrial wastewater. Based on the sustainability and economy this technique has the potential for commercialization.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
Easy availability and low cost
India is the largest Banana producing nation; 16.8 million metric tons/year
High Cr removal and recovery
Recyclability (upto 10 cycles)
High sorption capacity
High specificity
Less chemicals used
Efficient and immediate mode of effluent treatment
Easy and safe disposal of sludge
Has the potential for commercialization
Rural India will be having pollution free ecosystem
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
This study describes the use of banana peel, a commonly produced fruit waste, for the removal of heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Co, etc from industrial wastewater. The high concentration of heavy metal ions causes concern because of their carcinogenic properties, non-biodegradability and bio-accumulation. Cadmium causes metabolic disorders such as itai-itai disease, testicular atrophy, emphysema and renal damage. While Cr(VI) causes acute tubular & glomerular damage, ulceration & perforation of the nasal septum, asthma and cancer of the respiratory tract.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
By setting up a project for the treatment of heavy metal effluents coming out of tannery industry.
Why should one trust you?:
Every business is successful if the consumer is happy to use the product and trust on you. Trust can be achieved by showing the results and efficiency of our product in removal of heavy metals form industrial effluents. Second factor is showing the merits and profit of using our product. At last to have any start up there should be faith.
How is it different or better than any existing solution?
• Major shortcomings of conventional chrome effluent treatment include the high cost of safely disposing the sludge, expensive chemicals necessary for Cr(VI) reduction, incomplete reduction of Cr(VI) and the efficiency of Cr(VI) removal is only 42% giving the treatment cost of Rs.0.423/- per litre.
• While our product from banana peel, which is a biological product having no adverse effects to our environment, cheap, recyclability upto 10 cycles and percentage Cr(VI) removal is 62% giving the treatment cost of Rs.0.065/- per litre. This shows 6.5 folds profit from using the banana peel treatment method than present conventional Cr effluent treatment. It supports the biological mode of effluent treatment, an efficient and economy based solution to present contest.
Why would consumers choose this over others?
As it has already been mentioned in above question “How is it different or better than any existing solution”, this will pull the consumers (industrialist) to use our product rather other. This product can be used any time and can be transported to any part of globe as such easily. And no such other cheap and efficient technology is there till now for heavy metal effluents treatment.
Who are or will be your customers?:
Our customers are the industrialist having industries which produces toxic heavy metal effluents i.e tannery industry, chrome plating, metal finishing, textile, oil refinery, electroplating, nickel-cadmium batteries, fertilizers, pesticides, pigment and dyes producing industries.
How do you propose to respond to adverse scenario in these critical areas?
We can respond to the adverse scenario in these critical areas by:
• Collecting the waste banana peel from hostels mess of various educational institutes.
• Collecting from the banana chips producing industries.
• Contacting the Rag pickers to collect waste banana peel from various places.
• Introducing the plan to the municipal persons to collect banana peel separately from houses and various places, as a biodegradable waste.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
we will having polluted free water bodies along with a healthy atmosphere for the living being by implementing this technology over a period of 3 years and many more...
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$50 - 100
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
my innovation requires the attestation and approval of state government for the smooth run of technology in wide scale.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat stage is your Social Enterprise in?
Étape conceptuelle
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
the partnership could help me in the growth of my technology to turn it up in a commercial model.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
Per day Profit= Rs.16,500/-
Monthly profit = Rs.16,500/- * 30days = Rs.4,95,000
Net profit(monthly profit – monthly expense)=Rs.4,95,000/- - Rs.1,88,200/- = Rs.3,06,800/-
Net Monthly profit=Rs. 3,06,800/-
Turnover (per year): Rs. 3,06,800/- * 12months = Rs.36,81,600/- (yearly profit)
Tax payable (12.5%): Rs. 4,60,200/-
Net profit (per year): Rs. 32,21,400/-
Thus, the plant over head cost can be pay back by 4 – 5 months.
As per the response of the market, the workforce and production will be increased. Incentives will be given to the workforce based on profit.
CARBO-S
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Industrial effluents cause main threat to the rural areas and the living habitat of that ecosystem. Biological waste has the potential to be reused in productive output. This study describes the use of banana peel, a commonly produced fruit waste, for the removal of heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Co, etc from industrial wastewater. The high concentration of heavy metal ions causes concern because of their carcinogenic properties, non-biodegradability and bio-accumulation.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
Dr. V.Thankamani, ass. Director, vit university, vellore, tamil nadu, INDIA,
She helped me a lot in all aspects for the for the development of my technology. She is like my role model of my life. The feelings can't be expressed.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
College or university
If through another source, please provide the information
Created on 06/6/2010 by msari
Flying fish lives in Lake Van in which the biggest soda lake in the world.Lake water does not suitable both freshwater and marine fish. Fish lives in the lake but not reproduce into extrem water in Lake Van. It has to migrate to freshwater around the lake. Fish jump on some natural and man made barrier on the rivers during the spawning migration with flying and dancing.
Organisation: Nature Observers' Sociey
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
How long has this organization been operating?
Plus 5 années
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Flying and Dancing Fish in Lake Van, Turkey
Describe your Social Enterprise
Flying fish lives in Lake Van in which the biggest soda lake in the world.Lake water does not suitable both freshwater and marine fish. Fish lives in the lake but not reproduce into extrem water in Lake Van. It has to migrate to freshwater around the lake. Fish jump on some natural and man made barrier on the rivers during the spawning migration with flying and dancing.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovation unique?
My studies non contain only one side. It contain a lot of stages and we have several participant aroun the Lake Van. I found that there were approximately 43 thousand tons of fish in 1997, and concluded that to be sustainable, no more than 8,500 tons of fish should be annually fished. I engaged in two failed efforts to arrest the depletion of fish in Lake Van before he found success. I first tried to convince the government, using scientific data, to take action by implementing fishing prohibitions and a new 2-year management plan, after which results would be assessed. But after several years of bureaucratic wrangling, I realized I needed to try a different approach. I started to work collaboratively with the fishermen and wholesalers. Not to be dissuaded, I decided to try a different approach, by establishing an organization. Together with two environmental experts, I framed a strategy for engaging a wider group of stakeholders. They also began a national campaign to raise awareness of the depletion of Lake Van fish. As part of this wider engagement strategy, they systematically visited local government offices in the lake region, as well as relevant public institutions.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
We have realy success for sustainabilty of the pearl mullet fisheries. Because professional fishing rate is increasing and illegal fishing decreasing. I have reversed the extinction of a commercial species of fish because of over fishing and in doing so, has come up with a replicable approach to fishery management. Pearl mullet is important both ecological view and economic view. Because fish is endemic to Lake Van and into redlist. Other side, 14000 poor local people is earning life on pearl mullet fishing around the Lake Van.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
Few scientific studies had been conducted on Lake Van Fish prior to my work, which determined the levels of fishing that could be sustainably harvested. In 1997, I estimated that there were approximately 43,000 tons of fish. To be sustainable, no more than 8,500 tons of fish should be annually fished. However, since 1987, over 10,000 tons a year had been fished, about 90% of that harvesting occurred during the spawning period. Despite the statistics and warning about stock depletion, local fishermen were not open to changing their practices and governmental regulators were indifferent. Using scientific data, I tried to convince the government to take action by implementing fishing bans and a management plan. But after several years of bureaucratic wrangling, I realized my needed to try a different approach.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
My studies non contain only one side. It contain a lot of stages and we have several participant aroun the Lake Van. I found that there were approximately 43 thousand tons of fish in 1997, and concluded that to be sustainable, no more than 8,500 tons of fish should be annually fished. I engaged in two failed efforts to arrest the depletion of fish in Lake Van before he found success. I first tried to convince the government, using scientific data, to take action by implementing fishing prohibitions and a new 2-year management plan, after which results would be assessed. But after several years of bureaucratic wrangling, I realized I needed to try a different approach. I started to work collaboratively with the fishermen and wholesalers. Not to be dissuaded, I decided to try a different approach, by establishing an organization. Together with two environmental experts, I framed a strategy for engaging a wider group of stakeholders. They also began a national campaign to raise awareness of the depletion of Lake Van fish. As part of this wider engagement strategy, they systematically visited local government offices in the lake region, as well as relevant public institutions.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
2011- Professional fisherman number will increase 10% and illegal fishing will decrease 20%. We have already organize a flying fish festival national level. I hope this enlarged international level to next year.
2012- I think our entrepreneur open new job around the Lake Van especially in tourism sectors.
2013- Illega fishing will decrease 20% and fishing sectors will enlarge at 30,000 people.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat stage is your Social Enterprise in?
En place depuis plus de 5 ans
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
Eastern part of Turkey is not developped according to west part of the country. Personel income is low than country mean income. Land is very high and winter time so long. All of lands covers snow 6-7 months approximately. Local people is need new income generation except illegal fishing. I have good dialog with locals. There is 15 villages related with spawning fishing. 12 villages are support the my project. I investigated sociological structure of local people and determined they ready for ecotourism.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
We have small but strong NGO. Nature Observers' Society is very famous in Turkey especieally for rural development. We have some financial support but not enough for new project. We need new promational material and campaign butched.
Our iniative is financed our member. Also we have some project which financed international and national institutes. UNDP had financed pearl mulled project between 2001-2007. Reginol Environmental Center-Turkey (REC-TURKEY) financed small part of training program. EU financed some part of our studies. Also our national research center -TUBITAK, financed some part of scienticif studies.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
My work began in 1993 as a doctoral student where I concentrated on studying the depletion of the Pearl Mullet stock from Lake Van, Turkey’s largest lake and the largest soda water lake in the world (approximately 3,700 square km). I was the first to determine how many fish lived in the lake, how much was fished, and how the existing fishery affected the Lake Van fish population as well as the fishery management method to be used for sustainable fishery. But I quickly learned that it was not enough to be armed with research models and ensuring recommendations. Upon visiting the fishing communities that depended on the Pearl Mullet, I faced the difficulty of adapting academic models to the complex realities of people's conflicting desires. My problem was how to work with this poor population of 15,000 whose lives depended on fishing, so that they embraced sustainable practices to safeguard fish supply for future generations.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
Mustafa Sari’s work began in 1993 as a doctoral student studying the depletion of pearl mullet stock from Lake Van, Turkey’s largest lake. He was the first to study how many fish lived in the lake, how much was fished and how the existing fishery affected the lake’s fish population. However, applying academic models to the complex realities of the fishing communities that depend on the fish and having them embrace sustainable practices to safeguard fish supply for future generations were a challenge.
His graduate work exposed him to fishing communities near Lake Van, and introduced the challenges of energizing people and arranging expertise to meet shared goals of economic sustainability and species preservation. He began to see the influence of many factors on the populations of fish and other water life: Some were sociological, others were related to human population trends, still others were grounded in basic economic needs. The textbook perfect models he had studied began to blur, and into focus came the complex realities of people’s desires, competing interests and claims, and the very natural, very human tendency to resist change.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Personal contact at Changemakers
If through another source, please provide the information
Created on 05/17/2010 by l_lmorris
smallsolutions is empowering energy impoverished communities in East Africa by providing renewable energy and human development solutions at the grass roots level. Traditional energy alternatives inefficiently consume large amounts of fuel at great social, finanicial and environmental cost. A sustainable approach to energy can improve living standards, increase available income and reduce poverty.
Organisation: smallsolutions gemeinnützige UG
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
Nom
smallsolutions gemeinnützige UG
Adresse
Fuerbringerstrasse 28, 10961 Berlin
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Access to Modern Energy Solutions
Describe your Social Enterprise
smallsolutions is empowering energy impoverished communities in East Africa by providing renewable energy and human development solutions at the grass roots level. Traditional energy alternatives inefficiently consume large amounts of fuel at great social, finanicial and environmental cost. A sustainable approach to energy can improve living standards, increase available income and reduce poverty.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovation unique?
The SEED Program (smallsolutions energy enterprise development program) is an inclusive community based approach which acts to mobilize all local stakeholders and inform them about the benefits associated with using renewable energy technologies and the advantages of having a sustainable energy market infrastructure for their distribution and service.
Our program is unique because we embed it in the community at the grass roots level, create common ownership of the problem and provide a sustainable approach based on mutual trust and the sense that we are all in this together to solve it. The entire community has a stake in shaping their future and whether it be by changing energy behavior, becoming an energy entrepreneur or simply making informed energy decisions - we believe that everybody has a role to play in confronting the challenges that energy poverty brings and only together can we be successful.
Our approach focuses on three areas:
1. Introduce affordable renewable energy solutions and energy efficient methods
2. Mobilize communities through awareness campaigns, group discussions, capacity building and human development
3. Transfer technology, support and training to community projects and entrepreneurs
We will judge our program a success, when the SEEDS that are planted have grown, are flourishing on their own and communities have pulled themselves out of the vicious cycle of energy poverty.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
Meet Grace. Grace sells healthcare products in a small rural village. At night she was forced to use dangerous and expensive kerosene fuel in her small oil lamp. The flame provided a dim orange glow and created lots of smoke. After a solar demonstration, she was one of the first people in her village to purchase a solar lamp. Now she no longer has to worry about a smoke filled shop, has no more kerosene expenses and can truly promote good health with clean solar energy.
Meet Malefu. Malefu is an entrepreneur selling battery powered LED lamps in his community. He is forced to make the 5 hour journey to Kampala to buy his inventory because no products are locally available. He can only buy as much as he can carry and spends two days on the trip. After accounting for these costs his profit margin is about $2 per lamp -- not too mention the 2 days spent traveling to and from Kampala. After joining the SEED Program, he can pick up his inventory from the product outlet across the street from his home. He his now distributing clean solar lighting and has been able to increase his profit margin by 40%.
Meet Alice. Alice is a single mother who has a successful alteration and sewing business. After a renewable energy demonstration and discussion in her community, she immediately recognized the potential of the products and began offering them in her shop. With her business' high customer traffic, she has become one of the most successful SEED entrepreneurs in the program and is planning to expand her portfolio to include improved cooking stoves. Alice is well on her way to establishing herself as a SEED Energy Center.
Our program has been in the pilot phase for about 3 months. In that time we have recruited 17 agents (people selling renewable energy products on commission), 3 SACCOS and 2 NGOs to participate in disseminating energy awareness and technologies. To date we have sold about 275 solar lanterns and will begin offering efficient cookstoves and radios through the growing market network. About 1,500 people have been sensitized in 18 villages. About 850-1000 people are directly benefitting from solar lights sold through the program.
People have not only benefitted from reduced kerosene oil use and indoor air pollution, but also from the increase in disposable income derived through energy fuel savings. We have also been able to instill a sense of pride and value in our customers and resellers by regular telephone follow-up conversations and good customer service. One customer was so surprised and happy that she received a follow-up call that she said she would tell all of her friends and help spread the word!
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
We are addressing the challenge of energy poverty by focussing on the acute problems of Availability, Affordability and Accountability related to the supply of modern energy services and issues of Ownership, Capacity and Sustainability with regard to attaining long term success in rural communities.
Availability
There are very few, if any, quality energy products available on the local market and entrepreneurs have to travel long distances to purchase products from suppliers who offer little or no support.
Affordability
Stakeholders are very sensitive to price levels and initially prefer to continue paying small amounts for energy rather than making a larger investment that will save money over time.
Accountability
If a customer buys a defective product or needs service, she usually has no recourse because the seller is long gone and there is no contact number.
Ownership
Many interventions are implemented from "outside" and the beneficiaries do not fee like a genuine part of the solution.
Capacity
In many communities, a lack of knowledge, experience or ability is a cause for project failure.
Sustainability
By not addressing the above issues, it is difficult to achieve a level of internal sustainability to stay viable over the long term.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
Our organization is improving access to and awareness of renewable and efficient energy technologies by reaching out with community mobilization, awareness campaigns, capacity building and human and business development activities. Through a series of field activity packages, our intervention proceeds incrementally to insure that communities are educated and made aware of the benefits associated with renewable and efficient energy technologies.
The grass roots nature of the process creates and demands a very high degree of trust between the field team, local community leaders, sales persons and customers. The program and its values become embedded in the community over time through recurring visits, the personalities of our field team members, local stakeholders and the very positive and lasting relationships that are created. The aspect of trust is further emphasized by a comprehensive after-sale product support and service structure. In addition to local community project participants such as product outlets, agents and mentors in the community, a telephone hotline provides customers with an additional means to contact the project team should anything arise. Customers receive a receipt documenting the sale and products are marked with unique serial numbers for controlling. Information is also collected from the customers and utilized to conduct follow-up interviews by telephone regarding product performance, user satisfaction or just to say hello and remind people that the program is concerned about their well-being.
On the financial side, our technology partner is able to purchase products in bulk and pass these savings on to the resellers who can buy in smaller amounts and sell these for a small profit. Participating agents and resellers can earn from $2-3 per product sold and our technology partner earns from $3-5 on products sold to the local resellers. Profits that the technology partner receives can then be reinvested into replicating the program in other areas of the country.
Challenges to our success include:1) the inability of some resellers and customers to acquire the necessary financing to purchase stock or individual products. 2) the "open" nature of our program - there are purposely no exclusive sales or product agreements with any of our resellers/agents to allow room for their own creativity and growth. 3) the possibility that inferior products, large institutions or negative actors could enter a project area through its open structure and corrupt the young market infrastructure by low quality, price dumping or bad business practices. 4) one of the biggest challenges will be getting funding for the planned upscaling of operations - for only by successfully replicating our model will we be able to achieve sustainability.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
Year 1 will continue to build our pilot program and use it to develop a replicable model for scaling up. If the project continues to develop at the present rate, we expect the program to have an impact on about 10,000 - 15,000 people after the first year in the project area and its surroundings with the number of participants growing to 50 self-employed energy entrepreneurs, 5 SACCOs and 5 NGO Programs.
Year 2 will see the replication and upscaling of the program into 3 neighboring districts with a total population of about 1.5 million people. By initially mobilizing communities in areas with low electrification, we should see the entire program grow to have about 150 energy entrepreneurs and have an impact on over 100,000 people. After the first 9 months, the SEED Program should achieve self-sufficiency in the project areas and be able to self-finance its continued operation.
Year 3 and beyond will build upon the experiences of the previous years and see continued refinement and expansion of the model into more districts and southwards into Tanzania. Scope and impact are difficult to calculate with certainty as they are contingent upon the final composition of the model used for scaling up and its financing. However, our organizational goal remains to impact the lives of 500,000 people by the end of 2012.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
Our initiative would like to have an impact on public policy.
We have involved federal and local governments to the degree that they are aware of our objectives and they are supporting our activities. Over the long term, we would like the communities of our project areas to take full ownership of their energy challenges. This also means exerting influence on their local governments to enact changes or policies which contribute to the achievement of long term energy access and sustainability - whether that be by enacting more favorable legislation for renewable energy, convincing the government to facilitate small business growth or co-financing larger isolated grid solutions to meet growing energy demand.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat stage is your Social Enterprise in?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
Strong partnerships are crucial to the success of our initiative. Through the sharing of information, resources and experiences, we are able to avoid duplication, exploit potential synergies and create a very positive and synergetic environment for our shared activities.
Another very important aspect of our partnerships is that due to budget constraints, we are unable to use cost intensive control or implementing mechanisms in our operations and thus always strive to develop partnerships on all levels which are based on mutual trust, respect and the sharing of a common vision to improve energy access and reduce poverty.
smallsolutions currently has a very close partnership with the East African Energy Technology Development Network-Uganda who provides local knowledge and expertise for implementing our energy development program. With our ugandan technology provider, smallsolutions Technology Consultants Ltd, we have a partner who is very active in building supply and distribution partnerships with technology manufacturers and developers and willing to invest in the growth of our initiative.
We are currently disseminating lighting products from d.light design and greenlight planet and are in the process of introducing efficient cook stoves manufactured in-country by the International Lifeline Fund and self-charging portable radios.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
We currently have a hybrid blended revenue model with income streams flowing in from donations, "social" loans and earned revenues from product sales.
After the startup, sales of energy products and services will complete our revenue stream and we hope to achieve program sustainability in project areas through the reinvestment of profits by our technology partner over the next 2 years.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
The defining moment actually happened over 3 days in Kenya and Uganda during my discovery phase last year. I had the great opportunity to visit a solar cooking project run by John Amayo of Sunny Solutions a solar energy project supported by Solar Cookers International in Kisumu, Kenya. The thing that fascinated me was being able to witness the results of a transformative intervention that was not only bringing affordable, clean energy to rural populations, but also effecting a de facto increase in available income by freeing up funds normally spent on traditional cooking fuels. After paying for the solar cooker people were able save up to 50% of their daily incomes and use this money to make home improvements, purchase more food, improve their water supplies and allow their children to spend less time with household chores. Leah, one of the programs volunteer "scoreps" has been involved with the program for 2 years and has been able to rebuild a safer kitchen in her home, afford a mobile telephone and begin saving money with the fuel savings generated by using solar cooking.
Two days later after a long night bus journey to Kampala on roads where homes and shops were lit by the dim yellow-orange glow from kerosene lamps and candles, I met Prof. Izael da Silva at Makerere University. He passionately explained to me his work with modern energy solutions for people at the bottom of the pyramid. Through talking to him about the energy situation in sub-saharan Africa and especially the horrendous costs associated with using traditional energy sources for lighting and cooking - I was sold on the idea of being able to effect transformation in development by shifting to renewable and more efficient energy products and services.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
Through my work 20 years ago as an architect intern in Kenya and more recently working for a few years as a consultant for a U.S. government energy sub-contractor developing small scale energy simulations for rural areas in Africa, I recognized the latent potential of people at the "bottom of the pyramid". However, with so many distant decision makers, personalities and external influences involved in development projects, I discovered that the voices and needs of the actual beneficiaries are many times forgotten, overlooked or simply deemed insignificant in the big picture.
Over the last two years, during my process of discovery, I have come to realize the tremendous potential in the ability to reprioritize expenditures through lowering or eliminating energy costs. In regions where people are spending up to 50% of their income on traditional energy sources, the introduction of renewable and efficient energy technologies can have a transformative effect on how people live their lives by freeing up their disposable income and helping them climb out of poverty.
Originally trained as an architect, my career has straddled the flows of conceptual vision, technical innovation, cost effectiveness, collaborative communication and real-life implementation while at the same time being respectful of local sensibilities, cultures and needs. Harnessing these flows as a start-up social entrepreneur to realize my vision of empowering communities in the literal and figurative sense is an exhilarating work in progress.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
If through another source, please provide the information
Created on 05/14/2010 by kushkalra
An improved and electric cycle rickshaw can provide a nonpolluting and silent transport system for urban and rural areas of India.
It can also provide largescale employment to millions of urban and rural poor.
Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute has developed two types of rickshaws – improved pedal cycle rickshaw and motor-assisted pedal cycle rickshaw.
Organisation: Youth for Human Rights international
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
Youth for Human Rights International
Nom
Youth for Human Rights international
Adresse
1954 Hillhurst Ave. # 416, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Electric and improved cycle rickshaw as a sustainable transport system for India
Country your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
An improved and electric cycle rickshaw can provide a nonpolluting and silent transport system for urban and rural areas of India.
It can also provide largescale employment to millions of urban and rural poor.
Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute has developed two types of rickshaws – improved pedal cycle rickshaw and motor-assisted pedal cycle rickshaw.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
MOST of the cities and towns in India are highly polluted. The main reason is the air and noise pollution caused by transport vehicles, especially petrol and diesel-powered two- and three-wheelers. In India, there are presently close to 18 million petrol-powered two-wheelers and about 1.5 million petrol- and diesel-powered threewheelers and their population is growing at a rate of
about 15% per annum . Besides being a major hazard to people’s health, these machines are guzzling huge amounts of petrol and diesel for which the country has to pay dearly in foreign exchange outflow. It is a common sight in India and in other developing countries that during traffic jams in congested areas of the cities, these vehicles produce tremendous air pollution .
There is therefore an urgent need to introduce an environmentally sound transport system in cities and towns of India which is cost-effective and also provides largescale employment for urban and rural poor. An electric cycle rickshaw can provide a non-polluting, point-topoint and a silent transport system for urban and rural areas of India. Besides, it is an energy-efficient and costeffective vehicle.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
It should be pointed out that the evolution of cities and towns has been driven by the transport system.
The sprawling cities of the US developed because of automobiles. However, most European cities have integrated the public transport systems like rail, subway, bus and tram with private cars, taxis and cycles to cover the ‘last mile’. This could also be possible in India where rickshaws can provide transportation to cover the last mile or kilometre. If we consciously promote vehicles which are human propelled, then we can help reduce the growth of cities and at the same time drastically reduce the energy used in transportation. This can show us a way towards a sustainable transport system of the future.
With increased pollution in cities of India and various courts passing strictures on polluting vehicles, there is a need to introduce environmentally sound transport systems on the roads. In addition to the CNG-powered buses and three-wheelers, quite a number of major companies have introduced electric-powered three-wheelers. However, all these vehicles are expensive, with their prices ranging from Rs 2.75 to 4.28 lakhs . One of the major reasons for this high cost is imported batteries and their weight. Around 50% of the weight of the vehicle is because of the batteries, which results in increased motor power and hence the increased cost of vehicle. Present level of battery technology precludes high power output from light-weight batteries. I therefore feel that small transport systems like rickshaws are more suited for electric vehicle development. Thus reasonably priced, small size, indigenous batteries have been used to power the MAPRA.
Problème
AIM OF INNOVATION
To Reduce Air and Noise Pollution caused by transport vehicles, especially petrol/diesel-powered three-wheelers.
Actions
Impementation
Improved pedal cycle rickshaw(IMPRA)
IMPRA has three-speed gears, reduced length of long chain drives, back-wheel shaft braking, better suspension and less aerodynamic drag than the existing ones.
The weight of IMPRA is 85 kg compared to 90–95 kg of the existing rickshaws. Its life is estimated to be between 7 and 10 years.
Motor-assisted pedal cycle rickshaw(MAPRA)
It is a rickshaw with a Motor attached to it so that it can assist their pedaling whenever they(rickshaw puller) experienced load, or while going uphill. The extra power may also allow the rickshaw pullers to ply the rickshaw for longer distances and thus increase their earnings per day.
Results
With increased pollution in cities of India and various courts passing strictures on polluting vehicles, there is a need to introduce environmentally sound transport systems on the roads.In addition to the CNG-powered buses and three-wheelers, quite a number of major companies have introduced electric-powered three-wheelers. However, all these vehicles are expensive, with their prices ranging from Rs 2.75 to 4.28 lakhs. I therefore feel that small transport systems like rickshaws are more suited for electric vehicle development. Thus reasonably priced, small size, indigenous batteries have been used to power the MAPRA.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
We feel that the following technological and policy issues need to be looked at for the MAPRA to spread and become a viable transport system in India.
Technological issues
1. There is need to develop a low cost sensor/controller for sensing the load of the MAPRA and to switch on and off the motor accordingly.
2. There is need to develop a low cost battery charger based on switch-mode power supply (SMPS) technology, which should be rugged and could be mounted on the MAPRA, so that the batteries could be charged anywhere. Presently, such rugged and low-cost battery chargers are not available.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Nothing can prevent this project from being a success beacuse it will solve prolem of employment, pollution and environment.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Moins de 100
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$50 - 100
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
Étape conceptuelle
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Partnerships are very important for successful implementation of indea or a Project so We do feel that partnerships should be done to make Project a gand success.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
First is support from NGO's
Second from Government.
Thord Support of media
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
PPollution in the cities and hunger among rickshaw pullers of india.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
My brother luv kalra who is a engineer and also a partner of this idea because of him we are able to develop this idea.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Newsletter from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 05/11/2010 by Ritin
Have a football league with kids between the age of 11-18 are involved, as Water is one of the biggest issues where i live and even world over it would be more easier to relate too. Cause Related Marketing would be done, to get big sponsors like DLF, Pepsico or Coke as they already have a Water product, all highlighting the need of water. A certain %age of the money from sponsors would be distributed to the teams and the rest would be given to Global Water Fund
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Save Water Football League
Country your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Have a football league with kids between the age of 11-18 are involved, as Water is one of the biggest issues where i live and even world over it would be more easier to relate too. Cause Related Marketing would be done, to get big sponsors like DLF, Pepsico or Coke as they already have a Water product, all highlighting the need of water. A certain %age of the money from sponsors would be distributed to the teams and the rest would be given to Global Water Fund
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
As football is one of the most watched sport in the world, and the 2nd largest sport in India, and is very popular among the young crowd, it would spread awareness among the new generation and would give an opportunity to Big brands to associate with the product
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Approximately 250 words left (2000 characters).
Problème
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
Actions
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
Results
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Approximately 300 words left (2400 characters).
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Approximately 250 words left (2000 characters).
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
Étape conceptuelle
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Non
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Approximately 300 words left (2400 characters).
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Katherine Lucey asks women how they want to use solar-powered LED lanterns because their answers are different from what men say. For example, she found that a woman named Rebecca wanted to put the light in the chicken room, overruling her husband’s choice.
Created on 04/25/2010 by drickystern
The Learning Room will be a center of environment science learning and civic action that reaches urban children, teens, families, educators. Using honed hands-on science exhibits we’ll engage youth and adults in environment challenges and tasks to make a difference, creating science literate people taking action for the planet.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherCountry and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
The Learning Room will be a center of environment science learning and civic action that reaches urban children, teens, families, educators. Using honed hands-on science exhibits we’ll engage youth and adults in environment challenges and tasks to make a difference, creating science literate people taking action for the planet.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
“e” inc. seeks to solve the huge need for citizen involvement in the environment challenges and sacrifices of our time by launching a storefront science center to engage a broad swath of Greater Boston children and adults in environment science and action. Regardless of size, science centers have proven to be amazing draws across communities. By using informal methods, they engage children and adults in the sciences and so, are able to both inspire and inform. “e” inc. will harness this familiar format for an imperative social good. There is a singular need for dynamic public education on the state of the planet yet, to date, we have found no local places devoted to teaching both the science that underpins environment issues and the civics needed to effect immediate and long-range change. The Learning Room (TLR) will place equal emphasis on science and on the social imperatives of civic engagement and personal responsibility, teaching all visitors how to make an immediate difference in the issues they are exploring. This approach is the natural extension of our current work bringing hands-on science and action activities to low-income children and youth in sites throughout urban communities -- with 800 youth seen this year. TLR is unique in its intention: using a science center framework to teach and inspire the lay public, its underlying premise: introducing the environment as an ethics dilemma, and its proposed outcome: creating a populace with a deep appreciation of the issues at stake and the answers that are possible.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
For the past six years, ‘e” inc. has been deeply involved in bringing science and community action to low-income children and teens. We have carefully honed both singular teaching techniques and wonderful models for green teen teams, after school systems, workshops on climate change, and summer explorations. All our work is created with the twofold aim of engaging young people (and their caregivers) in the excitement of the sciences and the importance of conserving the planet – both its resources and beings. To date we have been responsible for thousands of young people learning in-depth science and taking on actions that make a difference in their neighborhoods. This year alone, small teams will be lowering carbon, engaging adults in their communities about the rainforest, petitioning other countries to protect animal habitats, building gardens, educating fellow students, etc. All projects are year-long, are the result of science understanding, and are created by the children or teens themselves. In the sciences, our children achieve a 40% rise in pre- to post-test scores on the topic they have explored. Our programs have been awarded the “Promising Practice” Award by the International NGO Academy of Educational Development.
Problème
I believe that, in general, the American public is detached from the serious problems and challenges facing the planet – to the detriment both of ourselves as a species, and all other living things as well. In addition, we see that science is seen as too difficult to absorb, even though it holds the understanding to the problems and solutions facing the planet. It is this ‘out-of-touch‘average person—whether child or adult-- that we seek to engage and involve in change making.
Actions
As I write, our staff is creating science and action exhibits by hand, with the intent of opening the room to public review and involvement by end-May. To shore this up, we are inviting different audiences to visit and discuss with us, we are sending press to local media and, in general, creating an audience for TLR while we hone our skills at teaching and engaging the public in this new way. Our obstacles include lack of funds, not enough ability to build this audience, overcoming the barriers to learning about and being responsible for the planet.
Results
We expect that, in a year’s time, we will have caught the attention of a wide variety of adults and children via our great style of teaching, the excitement we will generate for folks getting involved and the positive outcomes that will be felt in our communities. These will be in the form of projects, discussions, teachings, etc. that have visitors engaging with their neighbors and with local educators on the imperative of learning and doing in this arena.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
YEAR 1: We will needs to find funds to keep the room open. We will need to capture the interest of principals, science educators, and parents. We will need to expand our board to help us channel funds to this program. We will need to work extremely hard to gain the trust of low-income families in this new area and find ways to continue to support their involvement and get them to visit this new community.
YEAR 2: We will continue to seek longer term funding and to upgrade some of the exhibits. We will need to add staff and pay them adequately to manage the numbers of families (weekends) and school groups (weekdays) attending. Most importantly, we will work to initiate teen programs from this new central base and export new ideas to their communities through their efforts.
YEAR 3: Ongoing work for funding and finding a long-term home for TLR which is now at a wharf space that is slated for urban renewal in two years. Strengthen programs at TLR, create some new exhibit areas, start a speakers bureau for adults.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
issue will be whether we will run out of adequate funds before we build a critical mass of support, being unsuccessful in gaining a steady school audience, being unsuccessful in implementing action projects for all visiting classes, being unsuccessful in achieving a perspective change within the city about how to alter the outcomes for our communities vis a vis the state and needs of the environment. These would include shifts in habits, purchasing, transit usage, green space commitments, etc.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$1000 - 4000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
“e” inc. has always been proud of its partnerships with inner city centers that serve children teens, and families. Through this network of programs we have been successful in creating a sense of environment ‘consciousness’ in communities where adults often believe that the state of the planet is not a pertinent issue/concern. Our capacity to surmount this hurdle is a credit to the sheer commitment of the young people who work at “e” inc. and who are devoted to the children and youth they serve.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
I believe that The Learning Room can succeed if (1) we gain the support and attention of important supporters in our city, (2) we succeed in engaging the nearest school systems, beginning with the Boston Public Schools and then reaching ‘across the river’ to Somerville and Cambridge, (3) we create compelling exhibits that get better and better over time and that excite people about specific ideas and finally (know you want there but there are four), (4) we create a serious action process so that all visitors leave with tasks to do and we have all sorts of return systems that help folks build success in their communities or for their ideas.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
During the last three years of my doctoral work on inter-group hatred at Harvard I ended up working with several primatologists. At the beginning of this academic adventure, my time was spent simply trying to understand and master evolutionary biology and the theories that seemed so interesting to my own research. Over time, however, as I began to understand more about our primate ancestors, and more about the workings of the animal kingdom and the interrelatedness of beings and their ecosystems, I began to shift my entire set of thinking. The lens through which I made sense of the world underwent a fundamental change. This new understanding was so galvanizing, so fascinating, so filled with wonder, that I was amazed at my own prior ‘ignorance’ of it. How had I missed the excitement that was science?
At the same time, I slowly began to understand that much of what I was learning about i.e., the planet’s systems and beings was totally at risk. What one saw on television regarding wilds and their inhabitants were almost disingenuous. These places and animals were at risk throughout the planet. Hardest of all to believe was that the culprit was us -- humanity. This too was mystifying. How could so many well-intentioned people in our country – decent educated people just making their living and raising their children – not see the tragedy that was coming through human overpopulation and concomitant overuse of resources.
Finally, the nail in the coffin, as it were, was the understanding I was gaining that all the researchers I was getting to know and study with, all of them were now becoming, not the dispassionate/detached researchers of their many years of training, but, rather, wildlife and wild lands conservationists, No longer were their animals the subjects and the focus of a study. Instead, these animals were simply disappearing and the only ones who were in their world and could therefore make an accounting and a difference were these same researchers. Their lives were being turned upside down.
For me, I struggled with this knowledge. How could I play a part? Eventually, I came to see that my next task/role was to teach as many people as I could about what was going on, and what they needed to do to change this ‘severe decree.’ No small job indeed.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
I have a confession to make. This “e” inc. is not my first non-profit. I have already started one that is now 27 years old and still bringing positive outcomes to many. So taking the lead on a problem and trying to use what knowledge and skills I have is not entirely new. I believe that this ‘streak’ in me is the result of coming from a family of Jewish Holocaust survivors. Perhaps it is the sense that those with little should be protected. Perhaps it is the desire to push back at a world that can steamroller over things, information, people that are historically inconvenient. Of course, who really knows what the concerns are that motivate us, in the end. For myself, I can just make guesses that seem plausible and see how they fit and feel.
Nonetheless, what I certainly do understand is that individuals can take a stand, can work to have their lives be not only a pass through but an opportunity to make a point, make a shift, make a difference. For this reason, over the past years, I and my colleagues here at “e” inc. have worked hard and long to make a shift in the perspectives and understanding, and most of all, the actions of those we teach. Not a bad day’s work.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Through another organization or company
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Boston Worldwide Partnerships
Created on 04/23/2010 by Carolyn TBR
We are a collective of people in the capital region committed to removing bikes from the waste stream and getting them back on the streets to low income community members who need affordable transportation. Operating on a volunteer basis out of donated spaces in both Troy and Albany, NY, we also organize educational events on bicycling as transportation, urban renewal and community building.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherCountry and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
We are a collective of people in the capital region committed to removing bikes from the waste stream and getting them back on the streets to low income community members who need affordable transportation. Operating on a volunteer basis out of donated spaces in both Troy and Albany, NY, we also organize educational events on bicycling as transportation, urban renewal and community building.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
Troy Bike Rescue (TBR) encourages recycling bicycles as way to reduce oil consumption and promote environmentally friendly practices. TBR also creates a meeting place for diverse communities since the organization's volunteers and clients come from different social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds to work together on bicycle projects. TBR also creates a community space to share information on new innovative environmental practices, through events like film screenings and community action. Currently, the organization is planning a 2 day grassroots conference focusing on sharing information on pioneering bicycle projects for social and environmental change from across the northeast.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Troy Bike Rescue's (TBR) motto is "community aid and mutual respect."
We translate that into an all volunteer project that promotes bicycling as environmentally friendly transportation and works to create an open space for everyone. Racism, misogyny, hetero-sexism and other forms of oppression are not tolerated in our shop or other events.
TBR also focus on creating a non-hierarchical leadership structure that models respectful communication and consensus decision making in programs.
During the high season, which is now from April to October, TBR can have between 20-30 people pass through the doors looking for help repairing their bicycle or coming in to adopt a bicycle. Currently the shop is open two nights a week for 3 hours, and the space has reached about maximum capacity in the shop space.
The organization experienced some interesting cross cultural moments. During one of the Women, Femme and Trans nights last year. (Which is a night TBR is open for people who might not be comfortable coming during our regular shop hours, but no one is turned away.) two female mechanics were working in the shop. One of the men from the downtown neighborhood stopped in. His name was Carlos and he new the original shop organizer Andrew. Carlos's bicycle had been stolen and he needed a new one to get to work. When he walked in, and saw only women mechanics working, he said "Awe man I thought the dudes were going to be here." The mechanics swallowed their pride a little bit and helped him pick out a bicycle. He still is riding it today, and admitted that those girls are "all right." Now, when he or someone in his family comes by the shop for help with the bicycles they use to get everywhere, they enjoy working with everyone.
Troy Bike Rescue also seen the college students learn about the realities of the low-income kids and adults who come into the shop.
Problème
Troy Bike Rescue believes that riding bicycles is good for people and good for the planet. As more and more evidence is created about the dangers of global warming, and as oil supplies are depleting around the world, TBR works to create a reality where bicycles are treated as a viable means for transportation in a culture that creates very little space for cycling.
Troy NY is a small, economically depressed city that lacks some fundamental resources for its community. About 14.3% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over, according to the census in 2000.
TBR helps maintain the bicycles our clients bring to us, and provides them with a bicycle if they need one. TBR also addresses the income and class disparity in Troy. Many volunteers come from the prestigious university located in our city. Traditionally, the university told its students to stay out of the downtown neighborhood where the shop is located. TBR provides one of the only spaces in the city where the two communities can come in and interact with one another, learn from each other, and work together.
Actions
Troy Bike Rescue is preparing to expand its operations. The project is in more demand than the core organizers could have anticipated. Most shop nights from March through October, the shop is at maximum capacity and people are asking for it to be open more often. However, TBR lacks the resources at the moment to open the shop for more hours, or to expand its other community event programming.
Currently, TBR is organized by three core volunteer staff. These staff coordinate open shop nights, plan community outreach events, manage donations, order supplies, design materials and maintain the shop which is located in a shared community space. donations of parts and bicycle go into the general supply base for the organization. Cash donations are used to cover rent and shop supplies. Under the current model, no one is paid.
Dedicated volunteers come to open shop nights and other TBR events to assist people with their bicycles and provide support.
This summer, the project is focusing on doing strategic planning to create a more sustainable shop model and to create a workplan for project expansion. The TBR core staff recognizes this is crucial to project success over a long period of time.
Results
First year: Establish Troy Bike Rescue as a non-profit. Identify and expand relationships with previously named community partners and other relevant organizations. Interview community partners and begin to create a strategic plan for community change through consensus based leadership planning and focused conversations using resources learned from World Bridge Research.
Second year: Evaluate last year's work and program effectiveness, using proven research methods. Re-evaluate community partnerships and look for new organizations to add to the project. Improve program sustainability and look at project expansion. Have Troy Bike Rescue as an established non profit and strong relationships with other community based organizations.
Third year:
Long term goals:
Troy Bike Rescue is projecting, based on the past year's growth, to outgrow the space the organization is currently inhabiting. Currently TBR is operating with a donated storage space and a subsidized shop space. The shop is planning on needing a larger space in 1-2 years, where shop space and storage can be combined.
TBR is also expecting to see an increase in youth coming to our organization.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Approximately 300 words left (2400 characters).
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Approximately 250 words left (2000 characters).
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis plus de 5 ans
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Social Change does not occur in a vacuum. Instead, it takes a consistent, encompassing approach. TBR has a close working relationship with the Sanctuary for Independent Media, another volunteer non profit. The Sanctuary has provided an excellent venue for larger TBR events that promote bicycling as a transportation choice. The Sanctuary is providing the space for the grassroots bicycle conference TBR planned for the weekend of April 24&25 that focuses on community action through cycling and to help other individuals start community bike shops like TBR.
Troy Bike Rescue also attended Bike Bike International, a grassroots conference focusing on creating community bike spaces. At Bike Bike International, TBR created and maintained working relationships with other shops who are doing similar work. These shops are providing supportive information as TBR continues to grow.
Currently Troy Bike Rescue is expanding its involvement with Troy Community Gardens, as part of the organizations dedication to sustainable urban living. On May 15 TBR is hosting a bicycle tour of all the community gardens in the city.
TBR has also developed a good working relationship with the local domestic violence
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Approximately 300 words left (2400 characters).
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 04/20/2010 by sos2010Worcester
Our idea is an effective collaboration of Summer of Solutions and Worcester Energy Barn-raisers on a local energy project consisting of: 2 residential Energy Barn-raisings, the creation of multi-lingual home weatherization kits, a stipended position for one "Solutionary" Summer Fellow, and an Energy Barn-raising Block Party for the end of the program.
Organisation: Worcester Energy Barn-raisers, Sponsored by: Worcester Roots
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
Summer of Solutions Worcester & the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers
Nom
Worcester Energy Barn-raisers, Sponsored by: Worcester Roots
Adresse
5 Pleasant Street, 3rd fl Worcester, MA 01609
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Energy Barn-raisings: Taking Community Energy Solutions Into Our Own Hands
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Our idea is an effective collaboration of Summer of Solutions and Worcester Energy Barn-raisers on a local energy project consisting of: 2 residential Energy Barn-raisings, the creation of multi-lingual home weatherization kits, a stipended position for one "Solutionary" Summer Fellow, and an Energy Barn-raising Block Party for the end of the program.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
Our idea is unique because it is community focused, simultaneously addresses global and local issues, empowers participants with new skills, and is multi-generational. Based in Worcester, we focus on providing the Worcester community with affordable energy efficient renovations. In doing this we are addressing the global issue of climate change at the local level focusing on energy conservation in homes and community centers.
At each Energy Barn-raising event participants gain new knowledge and skills that they can apply to their own home including caulking air leaks, installing weather stripping, identifying energy-wasting appliances, insulating hot water heaters, and more. This empowers all participants to take individual action to save energy, while also coming together as a community to learn the skills and celebrate together!
We are committed to making all our events accessible to everyone regardless of age, experience, race, and gender, so we strive to create a culture of collective learning, participation, and support. These same values are also present in the Summer of Solutions program as a whole in which all people are welcome to join in taking collective, local action for climate solutions. The people involved in Summer of Solutions (SoS) and Worcester Energy Barn-raisers (WEB) range from high school volunteers at events to professors on the planning committees, with a whole range of ages in between. This set-up creates a multi-generational community where the wisdom and skills of the older generations is paired with the energy of the youth.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
This new project idea is building off the success of previous projects with Summer of Solutions and Worcester Energy Barn-raisers. Summer of Solutions 2009: Worcester was a two-month program in which 25 participants worked on 3 collaborative, innovative projects to engage in community-based solutions for climate, energy, and environmental justice. Please see the attachment: Summer of Solutions Final Report 2009 to read about the incredible impact of the program. Summer of Solutions gave participants the tools to become leaders in local sustainability and justice projects so that the program could have a ripple effect of social change beyond just the two-month experience. A great example is the powerful way one of the projects lives on today in the form of the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers. The first Energy Barn-raising was organized by the 6-person Weatherization Team of SoS 2009 and was attended by over 50 local activists and volunteers. The first barn-raising was such a success that a team of over 15 organizers continued to plan for future barn-raisings and organized 2 more in the fall of 2009, with over 75 volunteers attending each. The barn-raisings have helped three local community centers save hundreds of dollars in energy and electricity bills, trained over 200 community members in weatherization skills they can use in their own homes, and empowered more individuals to step up as leaders in organizing these exciting events. We look forward to scaling the project up to empower more people to take action to save energy locally to protect our communities and climate.
Problème
Climate change threatens to destabilize our world as we know it, unless we take mitigating and adaptive action. The simultaneous dwindling supply of inexpensive energy suggests that we must make a shift to a low-energy as well as a low-carbon world. Our innovation addresses the problem by reducing energy use (and thus, greenhouse gas emissions) through weatherizing community centers and homes.
We feel that it is important for citizens to take action on energy issues, instead of simply waiting for our representatives to take the appropriate legislative action. At the same time, we empower our community to take the issue into our own hands and teach valuable tangible skills that have an immediate impact.
Our organization creates a culture of collective education where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn together and people can empower themselves as leaders to organize and teach each other. Lastly, we are addressing environmental justice by working to make the benefits of these environmental and energy solutions accessible to all, not just those privileged enough to be able to afford or understand them.
Actions
The steps we are taking to make our innovation a success is working with two well-connected (intertwined) groups: SoS and WEB. We are working on an ambitious collaborative project; in order to ensure sustainability, we will have an Intern who will act as a leader and facilitator for the project by spearheading the initiative and coordinating the volunteers involved from both groups. This intern will be one of the full-time SoS Fellows and will be trained by long-term members of WEB during SoS Week One. The past experiences of committed members over the course of the previous year will help and can show other new volunteers the ropes of what it takes to plan an event since they have now already organized four barn-raisings.
We will use a portion of our budget to purchase equipment that will sustain our work as a group including step ladders, caulking guns, measurement and auditing equipment, and more. This equipment is necessary to enable the work we do, ensure quality, and demonstrate the success of our work.
Results
We will be working with the exciting group of people involved with the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers, 1 Summer of Solutions Fellow who will be interning with the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers, as well as a team of 5-10 Summer of Solutions participants who will be engaged in this project. Through this project, our goals are:
o Organize 2 residential Energy Barn-raisings: We will do a complete energy barn-raising at two residential properties to help two local homeowners save energy.
o Host 1 Energy Block Party: We will organize a neighborhood block party in which we will weatherize 3-6 homes and celebrate as a community
o Engage 200 participants in energy-saving skills: We will use the 3 events we organize this summer to help 200 local community members learn the skills to weatherize their own homes
o Assemble and sell 50 home weatherization kits: we will assemble 50 kits with basic home energy supplies to be sold at Energy Barn-raisings and used to finance future barn-raising events
o Develop 5-10 Summer of Solutions leaders: we will engage 5-10 Summer of Solutions participants in this project and help them learn the skills of developing themselves as leaders
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
The key elements for this project are growth and leadership. Fortunately, we have these available and they are self reinforcing! The hope is for continued partnership between Summer of Solutions and Worcester Energy Barn-raisers to benefit both: Summer of Solutions will be a forum for new ideas to emerge that engage and empower the community, while Worcester Energy Barn-raisers will provide a space for those ideas and will be energized and boosted by them every summer. After this summer's collaborative project, the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers will have expanded capacity through the summer's awareness-raising, community engagement, and hands-on weatherization activities. As more events are organized more local participants will get engaged to help continue to organize Energy Barn-raisings.
Drawing on leaders from the program this summer, a team will organize Summer of Solutions 2011. This will include another collaborative project co-designed by both organizations that brings the project in new, innovative, and exciting directions. This could potentially include an entrepreneurship aspect that would enable Barn-raisings to be self-financing, a more established job-training component of Energy Barn-raisings, and other new ideas for community energy projects. Following the summer of 2011, Worcester Energy Barn-raisers will continue to scale up, reaching an ever-broader community. We imagine the cycle to continue "onward and upward" with Summer of Solutions providing annual "boosts" of novel ideas and strategies for meeting the missions of both organizations and Worcester Energy Barn-raisers fostering leadership, structure, and experience. As more and more homes are weatherized, we will keep our focus on empowering local people to take action and come together as a community.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Limits in funding due to uncertainties in cost could be one aspect that might prevent our project from being as successful as we hope. One uncertainty for this project that could prevent it from being entirely successful is the cost of weatherizing buildings and homes. Thus far, we have focused on weatherizing community centers and the costs of the events have ranged from $400 to $800. We can never be completely sure how this will compare to individual homes. A similar uncertainty exists for the investment cost of the weatherization kits; which can vary depending on how much material we include. In order to address these concerns, we have designed a budget that will allow us to accomplish each of these components, in order to sufficiently delegate funding.
Secondly, insufficient means to measure our successes could limit the success of our project. The Worcester Energy Barn-raisers are working to acquire the proper infrastructure of equipment to measure the impact of our work and quantify the savings to share with future barn-raising hosts. These monitoring and measuring devices, including a blower door and infra-red gun, are necessary to prove the success of our project. We will use the tools we have and collaborate with other groups that have equipment to help us quantify our success.
Finally, a lack of volunteers could prevent our project from reaching it's full potential. Up until now, all weatherizations have been supported by an all volunteer effort from Worcester residents of a variety of communities, organizations, and schools. Each of the Energy Barn-raisings have drawn between 50 and 100 people, which have included a few local professionals willing to share their skills. If, for some reason, we cannot sustain these levels of volunteers and support from energy experts, we would not be able to reach the scale of work we hope to. We do not anticipate this being a problem as volunteer support has been rapidly increasing with each event we host.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis 1 à 5 ans
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
For both WEB and SoS, partnerships are crucial to the success of the collaborative projects we have organized. Our community partners have provided vital volunteer support; these partners include churches, high schools, colleges, student groups, community organizations, other similar organizations and the college community. Barn-raisings require community partners who volunteer their buildings to be weatherized and to serve as an educational space for participants, and we have had four local organizations gladly volunteer their spaces: Dismas House, Inc, Genesis Club, the Woo Church, and Oak Hill CDC. Local restaurants and grocery stores have provided donations in food in the past for our events to supply food for volunteers and the post-barn-raising celebration of our work. Lastly, SoS partnerships have been imperative in collaborative project design for participants to take action during the summer. Supportive, collaborative, and established partners of both groups include the Dismas House, Regional Environmental Council, and the Worcester Green Jobs Coalition.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
The three most important actions needed to grow our organizations are publicizing events to reach more people, empowering new leaders to create new projects and finding innovative funding sources. Summer of Solutions Worcester (SoS) and the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers (WEB) are both entirely volunteer based. Organizers and planners are volunteers and then our events like energy barn-raisings require many more volunteers. Energy barn-raisings are where a building, in the past ours have all been community centers, is made more energy efficient through sealing airflow in an out of the house, changing light bulbs and other ways we can find to significantly reduce the building’s energy use. This is all done with the help of volunteers who if they like what they are doing and want to be more involved join the planning committee. Because our organizations are entirely volunteer based good publicity is a necessity to growing these two organizations and making our collaborative projects a success.
New leaders are crucial to the growth of WEB and SoS because new fresh ideas help better reflect the changing needs of the community we serve. SoS has different projects every summer focusing on sustainability that either build off of last years projects or are entirely new and need empowered leaders to manage and bring energy, passion, and excitement to them. Also, empowering new leadership is built into the mission of both of these organizations to empower new people to feel confident organizing their communities and empowering others to step up and take action. This model of continuous leadership development will allow the ideas and energy of these organizations to have a ripple effect, increasing the scale and impact of our action.
Both SoS and WEB are non-profit organizations and require funding to accomplish all the projects they would like to, such as the Energy Barn-raising Block Party or having stipends and housing for people participating in our programs. In the past, we have applied for grants, asked for material donations and done grassroots fundraising using social networks. We will continue to need to find new funding sources and innovative approaches to fundraising to expand our programs.
Overall innovative funding sources, empowering new leaders, and publicizing our events are the most important actions needed to expand our initiative.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
There have been many defining moments along the path of creating this project that have inspired our ideas, brought us together as a group, and challenged us in ways that have allowed us to become stronger leaders. I think the most important moment that led to this innovative project here in Worcester was when the original Weatherization Team came together during the Summer of Solutions program last summer.
The key moment was when the project began during the first week of June, the very beginning of Summer of Solutions Worcester. We had six team members: four local college students, one local professor and building specialist, and one local energy advocate and community activist. We all had different reasons for being there for the project: one person was really excited about learning how to save energy, one person was really excited to see how we can cut carbon locally, one person really wanted to find ways of bringing people together as a community, one person was really interested and passionate about social justice issues and the concept of eco-equity in the burgeoning green movement, etc. Regardless of our different reasons for being there we were all passionate to see what we could create together and how we could bring together all of these interests and causes to really mobilize our community and empower people to take action.
The excitement and passion of this group culminated in Worcester’s first Energy Barn-raising on July 24, 2009 when 50 local community members, professors, politicians, college students, youth, activists, and residents turned out to the Brooks House to try their hand in caulking leaky windows, to learn how to insulate their own hot water heater, to learn about green jobs, and to just get out and meet other people in the Worcester community! It was incredible to see people ages 14 to 64 working together on this challenging yet empowering task of saving energy locally. Through the hard work and dedication of that first team of six people and the success of the first barn-raising, this initiative has grown and flourished in incredible ways that enable Worcester Energy Barn-raisings to continue to get people excited about saving energy, bring people together as a community, and engage in local action for our communities, climate, and world.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
The innovators who played a part in bringing this social innovation to life in Worcester were the team of organizers mentioned in the last question: four college students, one energy specialist and professor, and one local energy advocate, as well as the team of visionaries who brought the Summer of Solutions program to life!
The idea grew from the first Summer of Solutions program, held in the Twin Cities, Minnesota in 2008, which was organized by young people passionate about community-based solutions to climate change and social entrepreneurship that can help us solve the climate crisis while also helping our communities flourish and grow. Two Worcester college students, Callista and Ashley, were able to attend the program in Minnesota to learn about the solutions-based organizing of their peers in another part of the country. They are both passionate, creative, and motivated activists who understand the enormous challenge climate change poses to the current generation and were looking for bold and transformative ways they could organize locally for large-scale change, instead of simply relying on political pressure and lobbying representatives to address these major issues. They found incredible inspiration in the work of the young people who led Summer of Solutions 2008, and and like the drifting seeds of a dandelion flew back home to Worcester, Massachusetts to plant what would be the origins of this new idea.
Their idea landed in the fertile soil of the supportive and nourishing energy of local leaders, organizers, and activists who helped the two young women organize the first Summer of Solutions program in Worcester! They were joined by a team of seven other local college students who were passionate about organizing a transformative, empowering summer program that could cultivate more local action for climate change, energy, and environmental justice. The seeds of their idea were fertilized by the existing work of other local organizations. The inspiration for the barn-raising initiative in particular was the organization HEET (Home Energy Efficiency Team) based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts which had been organizing residential weatherization barn-raisings in Cambridge since 2008. Summer of Solutions organizers were able to attend trainings and a barn-raising run by HEET to learn how this model might be possible in Worcester; they saw the potential to really create spaces that allow people to take hands-on action, learn collectively, and have a meaningful impact on a local homeowner or organization.
Together, the team of young people shared their idea and energy with other local organizations and leaders, who came together in supporting the project and forming the team of innovators who brought this idea to life and when they did, found huge community support and excitement to carry it on to the future.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
New England Grassroots Environmental Fund
Created on 04/19/2010 by Arianna Grindrod at NESEA
This engaging, successful program allows educators and students alike to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy and to take steps toward sustainable and healthy living practices through hands-on, community-based learning projects. CECE includes educator training opportunities, curriculum, field trips, and patches that students can earn through completing the program.
Organisation: Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Nom
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
Adresse
50 Miles Street, Greenfield, MA 01301
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Clean Energy for a Clean Environment (CECE)
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
This engaging, successful program allows educators and students alike to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy and to take steps toward sustainable and healthy living practices through hands-on, community-based learning projects. CECE includes educator training opportunities, curriculum, field trips, and patches that students can earn through completing the program.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
The Clean Energy for a Clean Environment (CECE) Program empowers youth and educators to explore topics in energy efficiency and renewable energy resources. CECE includes educator training opportunities, Clean Green Power and Wind Wisdom curricular units, destination sites to see renewable energy in action, and certificates and patches that students can earn through completion of each unit. This engaging program allows educators, students and families alike to learn about safe renewable energy choices and to take actions through hands-on, community-based projects. CECE empowers participants to take steps toward sustainable and healthy living practices and become agents of positive change. It is for everyone interested in learning about renewable energy and discovering ways to become more energy efficient.
The Clean Green Power program offers an introduction to the technology involved in clean, renewable energy. This patch and certificate program is appropriate for students K-12 and has three components:
Learn about clean energy solutions to global climate change and pollution through various activities.
Explore sites through field trips and interviews with clean energy heroes and heroines who use renewable energy.
Act by completing a hands-on, community-based project of choice to spread the word.
Similar to Clean Green Power, Wind Wisdom offers middle and high school students an opportunity to go to the leading edge of technology as they learn about clean, renewable wind energy.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
NESEA has facilitated thousands of students into direct contact with people who use, design, and produce renewable energy on a daily basis. In turn, these youth bring back to their communities and forward into their adult lives the knowledge that clean renewable energy is here now, is real, and is practical.
Through a 2009 grant from the Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO), NESEA over 1000 individuals were informed of the program at local fairs and over 100 teachers and non-formal educators in WMECO's service territory were trained to deliver the program. Each teacher will in turn teach at least 16-25 students per year. Since summer of 2007, Over 300 Clean Green Power Patches have been awarded to students and girl scouts completing the Clean Green Power unit. The majority of patch requests come from Massachusetts, though requests have also been received from New Jersey, Ohio, Kentucky, and Minnesota. NESEA utilizes CECE's accessibility through the NESEA website as one leverage point to increase impact. An unknown number of curricular units and certificates have been downloaded from the website. Since the program was first designed in 2006 over 100 official "destination sites" are available throughout Massachusetts for field trip opportunities to visit a home or business which incorporates some form or forms of energy efficiency and/or renewable energy into the structure. This program also utilizes the Green Buildings Open House Tour and the National Solar Tour as resources for those participating in the program outside Massachusetts.
Though this program has the ability to run itself through the NESEA website, http://www.nesea.org/k-12/cleanenergyforacleanenvironment/ staff find that by offering educator training workshops, we have a deeper impact on how teachers and non-formal educators can implement the program. Teachers appreciate the extra guidance and hands-on exploration of implementation methods and specific projects that can work.
Problème
“Just 12% of Americans can pass a basic quiz on awareness of energy topics.” (Environmental Literacy in American, Koyle, 2005). Energy, where we get it and how we use it, can be expected to change radically during the lifetimes of our children. The world’s ability to produce oil fast enough to meet rising worldwide demand is being stressed. This situation can only be expected to grow worse over the lifetime of our students, unless we shift away from a dependence on oil. Rising carbon dioxide emissions, mainly from burning fossil fuels (our primary energy resources) are a major cause of global climate change. It is increasingly clear this will exact a considerable cost on the world’s environment and population, especially on future generations unless vast changes are made to our energy systems and ways we use energy.
Actions
To gain a deeper understanding of energy use and conservation in this country, students need to examine the scientific concepts of energy sources, forms, transformations, efficiency, and heat transfer. In learning about energy efficiency and renewable energy use and production in their communities, students are empowered to start public dialog with their friends, family, and neighbors on the future of energy use and conservation.
NESEA maintains an active website for the Clean Energy for a Clean Environment program (CECE). Available through the website are links to the free, downloadable curricular units Clean Green Power and Wind Wisdom, destination sites, and patch instructions.
We solicit for and administer grants so that we are able to continue training teachers and non-formal educators. Having completed our 2008-2009 grant with the Western Massachusetts Electric Company, they have invited NESEA to apply again for funding to continue our work within their service territory.
NESEA is seeking funding to provide teacher trainings throughout Massachusetts and expand the program more formally into other states within our 10-state district.
Results
Given that one teacher works with a class of 16-25 students, some facilitating multiple classes, the number students directly served by 100 teachers trained per year in CECE is over 2000 per year. This rises exponentially as 100 more teachers are trained each subsequent year. With more teachers and non-formal educators trained in the science and applications of energy efficiency and renewable energy we have the opportunity to educate more youth in understanding energy consumption and modes of sustainable energy generation.
The expected immediate outcomes include: increased learning and knowledge in the science of renewable energy and skills-building in how to apply this knowledge to real world applications. Through engaging hands-on activities, additional expected outcomes include: enhanced environmentally literacy and a growing interest and motivation to continue exploring, investigating, and developing innovations in the renewable energy fields. Expected behavioral changes include: an increased awareness of and interest in sustainability and recognizing renewable energy as a viable option for electrical generation on small and large scales.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Each year would be similar activities; training teachers and non-formal educators in the CECE program. Year one's focus will provide additional hands-on training on the science and applications of solar energy as a concrete project teachers can do with students. Teachers have appreciated the additional time to become more acquainted with how the program can be facilitated in the classroom through solar energy education projects. Funding is being sought to create Solar Sense as a reproducible curricular unit in a finalized format. This unit will go through a peer review process and NESEA staff will seek input from workshop participants on this unit. Participants will benefit by being peer reviewers and adding input, clarity, and value to the unit's creation, which will then be posted along side Clean Green Power and Wind Wisdom on the NESEA website. Teacher tremendously appreciate materials they can use with the lessons, and so NESEA is also looking to provide mini solar education kits to teachers that can be used with the lessons.
In year two NESEA will focus on wind energy learning projects teachers can facilitate in the classroom. This unit is already available and an educational kit has been designed for this year's focus. Year three will be on the "building envelop"; projects in energy efficiency and conservation. We will use our Energy Thinking unit as a base to creating engaging hands-on projects in real-world applications in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as they relate to energy use.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Clean Energy for a Clean Environment is already considered a success and has the ability to maintain itself with little staff input through the website. However, to bring even greater success to the program and impact on our citizens, NESEA is seeking to increase teacher training workshops throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to reach more students and their families. The only gap NESEA has to close is our ability to fund this aspect of our program.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis 1 à 5 ans
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
How long has this organization been operating?
Plus 5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
NESEA partners with a variety of non-for-profits and businesses to cross-promote our programs. We provide courtesy links to one another's sites, reference one another as additional resources in lessons and curricular units, and provide expert opinion. NESEA also seeks and solicits business community members as volunteers for events and to donate prizes for workshop participants and students.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
In addition to continuing to partner with specific non-profit organizations and schools as site hosts for workshops, NESEA needs to build rapports with additional organizations, learning centers, and schools to expand the CECE program.
Though the program can run as is through the NESEA website, to nurture the professional development of educators in the science and applications of renewable energy, NESEA needs funding sources to manage and facilitate the programs, especially the training workshops.
Additional time is needed to cultivate a culture interested in sustainable and responsible energy use. Though NESEA's focus is on the professional development of the educator and providing them with the means to educate the next generations, our goal is help foster a generation of informed and pro-active citizens, skilled in applications of science and engineering, who are ready face the challenges that lie ahead with dignity and resourcefulness.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
NESEA staff work diligently to locate access points in the state learning standards to enrich the scholastic science, math, and engineering education through environmental educations principles. We recognize that content often gets oversimplified for a variety of reasons, from core subjects receiving more intensive instruction to a teacher unsure about relaying a complex subject into manageable pieces that will form a kaleidoscopic whole. We cannot make Einsteins; we need to inspire them to greatness. Hands-on engagement is a necessity.
NESEA focuses its efforts on the professional development. By providing opportunities for educators to hone their skills in environmental literacy and renewable energy education, educators can replenish their well of knowledge, re-energized to nurture the next generation.
I cannot claim credit for the Clean Energy for a Clean Environment Program; it was developed at NESEA before I arrived. What I can say is that this particular program won my heart because it is hands-on and engaging. It is an enrichment program that can be facilitate through the classroom or as an after-school, scout group, or home-school group project. CECE not only has students reading and researching through books and the internet, it also promotes on-site study of real-world applications in use and a community service aspect so that students have the opportunity to be the teachers and inform their community of the characteristics and attributes of sustainability.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Each aspect of the program: Learn, Explore, and Act are in use in various capacities at schools. What makes CECE unique is that it incorporates all three into a fun and challenging project.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Email from Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 04/16/2010 by mgreis
Bringing together local government, schools, businesses and other existing groups, Green Needham Collaborative has created a unified vision for a “greener Needham”. Harnessing professional-level volunteers and collaboration with a local engineering college, GNC promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and social norms that drive behavioral change towards a truly sustainable community.
Organisation: Green Needham Collaborative
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
Green Needham Collaborative
Nom
Green Needham Collaborative
Adresse
384 Webster St., Needham, MA 02494
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
The Green Needham Collaborative - a community-based sustainability initiative
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Bringing together local government, schools, businesses and other existing groups, Green Needham Collaborative has created a unified vision for a “greener Needham”. Harnessing professional-level volunteers and collaboration with a local engineering college, GNC promotes energy efficiency, renewable energy and social norms that drive behavioral change towards a truly sustainable community.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
There are 4 key ways in which the GNC model is unique:
1) First, GNC was founded as a “true” collaborative among municipal government, the schools, civic groups, a local college, and residents.Founding members jointly created GNC’s mission and priorities. While other climate change groups struggle to build partnerships with local government, GNC is able to efficiently and effectively bring about community-wide change since the individuals in key decision-making roles are also key stakeholders in our work.
2) Second, GNC actively connects people and organizations, avoiding duplication of efforts and unifying disparate groups in town. Use of technology, such as the GNC wiki and blog, help faciliate these connections. By highlighting the growing number of people and organizations reducing their energy use, GNC helps set new social norms, a key driver of the behavioral change needed to create a sustainable community.
3) Third, unlike other groups that spend much time fund raising to cover staff , GNC’s staff is a sustainable resource--volunteers. Needham, like other communities, has engineers, marketing specialists, and writers. GNC harnesses local talent enabling us to launch a professional-level campaign at no cost.
4) Lastly, GNC partners with Olin College, a local engineering school. Students from Olin sit on our Steering Committee and provide engineering and innovative perspectives. For example, an Olin student created GNC’s “MyPlan”, an interactive energy-use checklist. Our partnership with Olin, and with other youth groups, represents a cross-generational model which enriches our work, and provides educational opportunities for young people.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
In just three years, GNC has heightened public awareness and engaged the entire Needham community in efforts to reduce energy and install sources of renewable energy within the town.
Some key accomplishements:
Support of new groups
GNC has supported the creation of several local initiatives, including: Green Kids, Needham Community Farm, and Needham Bikes.
The 10% Challenge:
In less than one year, 464 Needham households pledged energy reductions of 10%--preventing nearly 4 million pounds of CO2 emissions, annually. GNC created an on-line, energy-use check-list called “MyPlan” to help residents identify potential actions and estimate the CO2 actions will eliminate.
Educational Opportunities/Events:
GNC has co-hosted three successful town-wide educational events, including a forum featuring world-renowned food activist Frances Moore Lappe. This event, which included exhibits by 8 local food-related groups, drew an audience of 175.
With four local businesses, GNC offers “Home Energy Efficiency” seminars providing information about energy audits, tax credits, rebates, financing options and energy-saving measures. GNC sends “green tip” emails, and sponsored a monthly newspaper column and an environmentally-themed Needham Channel show entitled “Your World -- Bringing It Home.”
Renewable Energy Projects
GNC and the Town will soon erect a meteorological tower to measure wind speeds at the town dump, with the hopes of purchasing a wind turbine. In 2008, GNC and the League of Women Voters raised funds for a 2 KW solar array now installed at a local school and GNC is exploring the installation of larger solar arrays at other town locations.
Problème
Climate change is a daunting, global problem. While policy and legal changes are beginning to happen at the international, national, and state level, progress by government is slow. Another related problem is the challenge of helping individuals, businesses and municipalities change their engrained patterns of energy use. Green Needham believes that learning how to solve these two problems at the local level whereby a community is able to educate, motivate and successfully bring about change by individuals--and whole communities, can be a powerful force for broader change and a model for communities across the country.
Actions
GNC’s three new strategy areas for strengthening our work:
1) Strategic partnerships with local businesses: For instance, GNC’ s new Home Energy Efficiency Team is composed of energy-related businesses (e.g. home energy audit company, high-efficiency heating and financing organizations), that have an interest in growing their services as they support GNC’s sustainability efforts.
2) Partnering with existing organizations: GNC can have a greater impact--with minimal time/resources by partnering with leaders of local organizations, who then lead efforts to engage their entire memberships. This strategy worked for the 10% Challenge to gain far greater levels of participation, particularly with faith-based organizations and civic groups.
3) Volunteer Development: GNC is examining how it can best develop the leadership capacity of volunteers. Like many all-volunteer organizations, GNC has a core group who lead the organization and assume positions of responsibility. We need to move our many casual volunteers into positions of leadership.
Results
GNC’s three new strategies will expand our impact, and create a more sustainable model for our work.
Partnerships with local businessess will not only meet our “green goals”--but will also help local commerce, thereby increasing business involvement over time. The provision of energy efficiency related services and products will have the added benefit of helping to translate citizens’ intentions into concrete actions.
Working through exisitng organizations will help accerlate and expand GNC’s work. We have evidence that engaging large organizations often leads to greater ownership and the creation of their own internal green groups and goals, thereby expanding impact even further.
By creating a more explicit model for developing volunteers, GNC will be tackling one of the biggest obstacles faced by local initiatives seeking to combat climate change--or other social problems. This model will enhance and strengthen our work and create a cost effective model for others to replicate.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
GNC’s success over the next three years is largely dependent on our organizational development and approaches to spawning change within the community: 1) Partnerships with businesses; 2) Partnerships with existing community organizations; and 3) volunteer development. A fourth area of equal importance--is learning how to most effectively bring about behavioral change (i.e. change in people’s engrained patterns of energy use). Using these strategies, Green Needham has three key community impact goals for the next three years:
Expand the 10% challenge to reach 1,000 Needham households, which represents 10% of the Needham community.
Install at least one other source of renewable energy within the town (i.e. either a wind turbine or large solar arrays)
Become recognized as a qualified Massachusetts Green Community.
Our first two strategy areas, building stronger partnerships with businesses and local organizations are progressing well. Interestingly, the third and fourth goals (i.e. more effective volunteer development and individual behavioral change), represent similar challenges for us--how to move people from interest and intention to concrete action and a greater commitment. This is an issue of critical importance to the sustainability of GNC’s work, and is a key piece of the Green Needham model for local change.
Over the next year, we would like to to study successful models for behavior change from other sectors--such as health and engage experts in non-profit management and volunteer development to create a models for behavior change and volunteer development that use technology and other human resource development strategies.
In year 3, GNC plans to further refine and expand these strategies in our local work as we partner with the Massachusetts Climate Action Network, MCAN, to disseminate what we have learned to others across the state and nationally.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
While we have been able to operate with virtually no funds thanks to time so generously donated by our many volunteers, some of our activities--such as events-- do have expenses. Some of our organizational development work may also require funds. For instance, to most effectively strengthen our models for volunteer development and individual behavior change, we may need funding to hire specialized consultants outside of Needham and be able to develop more sophisticated technology to help us with both volunteer development and the tracking of individual energy use by residents. Another potential obstacle is being able to translate citizen’s intentions and interests into concrete actions for reducing their daily energy use. We must find ways to sustain people’s interest while helping them to adopt new behavior patterns. Finally, recent press has served to once again raise doubts about the reality of global warming. Green Needham will need to re-build public confidence in the scientific community and the urgency of CO2 reduction for combatting global warming.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
More than $4000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis 1 à 5 ans
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
Green Needham Collaborative
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
As described in detail above, partnerships and collaboration are at the core of our mission and are infused into every facet of Green Needham’s work. Our key current growth strategies include expanding existing partnerships with businesses to help provide residents with the services and products they need to execute energy efficiency actions. Our other strategy of partnering with existing community organizations allows us to reach far more people with far fewer Green Needham resources and in a much shorter period of time. These partnerships not only expand the impact of our activiites, but have also spawned new green initiatives by these same participating organizations--such as the creation of new “Sustainability committees” at several churches.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Many of GNC’s actions are outlined above. To summarize, here are key actions GNC will take over the next three years as we strengthen our organization, its approach and our community impact.
• Create a strategic plan for Green Needham which includes 3, 5 and 10 year goals, and a plan for how we will disseminate our model to other comunities in future years
• Create a model for effective volunteer development--this will include examining our current recruitment process, how we match interested volunteers with tasks/committees, and how we currently strive to move these volunteers into positions of greater responsibility and leadership. We plan to compare our current activities with what we learn from studying volunteer development models from other fields, or approaches we learn from experts in this area. Technology to support efforts to recruit, engage and develop volunteers will also be among our important actions
• Identify effective approaches for effecting behavioral change by individuals (i.e. how to best move individuals from intention to action-). Again, creating technology that will help motivate and engage individuals (e.g. similar to a bio-feedback model), as well as technology that can help GNC track our progress in getting individuals to change behavior, will be important actions.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
During the spring of 2006, Michael Greis, member of the Needham School Committee, and Wendy Surr, member of the League of Women Voters, met at a meeting of the Needham League’s Natural Resources Committee. Michael and Wendy shared a vision for creating a town-wide green initiative in collaboration with Olin College of Engineering that would address the global problem of climate change--on the local level. After reaching out to Olin and identifying a student liaison, the first Green Needham Meeting was held on September 29, 2006. Twenty-six individuals, representing four key town groups: the Needham Public Schools; the Town of Needham administrators and elected officials, Olin College sutdents and faculty; and the League of Women Voters--all attended this first meeting. Each group expressed their interests and priorities should a local, green initiative be created in Needham. At the next meeting, in November of 2006, a formal process to establish Green Needham, and more clearly identify its mission, priorities and goals was held. Since that time, Green Needham’s membership has grown to include 200 individuals and local organizations and businesses. Green Needham’s Steering Committee meets 4- 6 times per year, and town-wide Green Needham meetings, typically attended by over 25 individuals and groups, are hosted at Olin College 4 times annually.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Michael Greis is the co-founder and chair of the Green Needham Collaborative. Co-founding the Green Needham Collaborative was a reflection of a personal interest in sustainability and an extension of his other community work. He serves as an elected member of the School Committee and Town Meeting and is involved with several community organizations. But the differentiating idea behind Green Needham – working across organizational and sector boundaries (individual, business, government, education) – came directly from his previous professional experience. As Prinicipal of Riverbend Advisors, he leverages twenty-five years of sales & marketing, client relationship management, business development and project management experience at the leading edge of information technology products and services, combined with advanced work in finance and wide-ranging experience in public/private
partnerships and government-university-industry interaction to advance sustainability-related projects and businesses.
Wendy Surr, a member of the League of Women Voters and co-founder of Green Needham is a researcher at Wellesley College with over 10 years of experience in community organizing and the creation of strategic partnerships between community groups and local government. Wendy also has a long-held personal interest in combating the problem of climate change.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 04/14/2010 by Francisca María Fuente Medina
Coayudar a la preservación y conservación del medio ambiente, promover y implementar capacitaciones a las mujeres líderes de sus comunidades y sociedad en general, y contribuir en la disminución de la pobreza. Realizar actividades acorde con el desarrollo económico, educativo, social, y cultural
lire plus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Non
Votre organisation est-elle une
How long has this organization been operating?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Apoyar a las mujeres de nuestras comunidades en la Elaboración de Hornos solares
Describe Your Idea
Coayudar a la preservación y conservación del medio ambiente, promover y implementar capacitaciones a las mujeres líderes de sus comunidades y sociedad en general, y contribuir en la disminución de la pobreza. Realizar actividades acorde con el desarrollo económico, educativo, social, y cultural
Country your work focuses on
nd
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. What might prevent that success?
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
How many people will your project serve annually?
Moins de 100
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Don't know
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your innovation
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
If through another source, please provide the information
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherDoes your project address any of the following barriers to women’s technology access and use?
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how.
Does your project involve women in one or more of the following stages of the technology lifecycle? Identification of the problem the technology will solve:
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how you will ensure women’s involvement in each relevant phase of the technology lifecycle.
If women are a focus of your project, how did this focus evolve?
Which type of women will your project reach directly?
In what ways does your project team/leadership involve women?
Has your organization formed any new partnerships in response to this challenge? If so, with what type/s of organization/s?
Has your project leadership had prior experience with the following?
Created on 04/14/2010 by sedmunds
Edviro is an environmental marketing firm aimed to help organizations implement sustainability initiatives. Organizations, who do not have the resources to allocate to sustainability initiatives, can look to Edviro for campaigns to use within their organization that will help them to remain in compliance, reach sustainability goals, and increase environmental responsibility.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Edviro: Environmental Marketing
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Edviro is an environmental marketing firm aimed to help organizations implement sustainability initiatives. Organizations, who do not have the resources to allocate to sustainability initiatives, can look to Edviro for campaigns to use within their organization that will help them to remain in compliance, reach sustainability goals, and increase environmental responsibility.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
Edviro’s marketing campaigns are unique because they can be implemented throughout a variety of organizations. Many organizations lack the time and resources to produce effective campaigns within their organization. Through Edviro, organizations can have effective environmental campaigns without the use of their own valuable human capital. Edviro’s campaigns are fact oriented and focused on raising awareness about the environmental issues. They are used to promote action within an organization. Awareness of the value of these initiatives will make employees more receptive to change. Although, Edviro Marketing is a business-to-business model, it goes beyond helping just the organizations. Edviro’s campaigns help to encourage sustainable behavior by showing member of the organization that they came make a difference.
The first campaigned launched through Edviro is a recycling campaign entitled “Think.Recycle.” This campaign was specifically designed to increase recycling rates within organizations. Like all the campaigns that Edviro intends to develop this campaign can be implemented within a variety of organizations. In Massachusetts recycling has become a more prominent concern with the passing of the Waste Ban, which holds certain organizations responsible and subject to fines if recyclables are found in their waste streams. This piece of legislation makes recycling a compliance concern. As a result organization throughout Massachusetts need an economical way to remain in compliance with the Waste Ban. Edviro can provide them with just that. Since successful environmental campaigns are needed throughout industries, Edviro has developed a product that can be successfully applied in a variety of organizations.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
My product, the Think.Recycle. campaign was beta tested in three very difference environments: a biotech company, a manufacturing company, and an institution of higher education. In the biotech company, this recycling campaign increased recycling rates within their 13 Massachusetts based facilities 300%. The Think.Recycle. campaign was also implemented in a manufacturing facility. Although this facility, with approximately 600 employees, already had a recycling rate of 80% the campaign was run as a fun initiative and to expose the employees to interesting recycling facts. However, no follow up recycling audit was performed. In 2009, the Think.Recycle. campaign was implemented at the Clark University main campus as part of an initiative to increase recycling rates. As a result of the Campaign, in collaboration with other campus initiatives, the percent recycling in the trash dropped 15.3%. This campaign exposed approximately 2,000 undergraduates and 900 graduate students to the importance or recycling.
Problème
My business is solving the problem of behavior. Many of the environmental challenges we face, can be solved through behavior change. Edviro’s campaigns encourage people to act in a way that benefits that environment instead of degrades it. It shows people that although that challenges we face are large, everyone can make a difference. By changing the behavior of organizational members through effective communication the organization becomes more environmentally responsible. Sustainable initiatives, such as waste reduction, require participation from all members of an organization, so communicating and promoting these goals is important. In making communication more effective members of the organization will be more receptive to the changes that result from sustainability initiatives. By helping to change the behavior, through effective communication organizations can reach sustainability goals, remain in compliance, and become a more environmentally responsible organization.
Actions
Since my business has just recently registered, I am still very much is the start up stage. I am in the process of having my campaigns put on digital CDs so that if organizations want they can have a hard copy of the campaign. I also am working to copyright the images of my campaign, which will make my product less reproducible. I am working to also develop a pricing strategy for my campaign, since there are no comparables that I could use to base my pricing strategy off of. All of these essentially are aimed to help me build capital and protect my business for future costs.
Not having the capital to copyright the images would put my campaign at risk of being copied. If a lawsuit or additional costs did accrue as a result my company would not be able to afford it.
Results
I expect that having a hard copy of my campaigns will allow organizations to choose between an electronic copy and a CD version, and therefore they will be more comfortable purchasing the campaign. I believe that copyrighting the images of the campaign, although an additional cost now, will protect my company from unexpected cost and lawsuits later on. An effective pricing strategy is essential because I need to be able to remain competitive.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
This year I want to focus on building partnerships and gaining recognition as a business that can provide organizations with effective environmental campaigns. Through this I hope to begin to produce revenue. I want to spend my first year focusing on promoting the Think.Recycle. campaign and building an image and brand around Edviro.
The second year I believe I will be in a position to hire a graphic design artist to help with the design of a second campaign. The second campaign will continue to be one that promotes sustainable behavior, possibly on the topic of energy consumption, water use, or paper use. Having a graphic design artist will help to bring the design of the campaign to the next level. Throughout the year I will work on promoting the Think.Recycle. campaign as well as designing another campaign to continue to build my brand.
The third year I want to begin to expand my business into consulting, however, unlike most consulting firms, I would like to focus on behavioral change. As a company I want to consult with organizations on how to better engage employees in practices that increase sustainability. For instance I would provide consulting on topics such as waste reduction, and power management strategies. Essentially I would be in a position where companies could outsource their sustainability initiatives to Edviro instead of hiring an employee as a sustainability coordinator. The third year I want to grow my business so that I keep with my business mission of empowering organizational member to make choices that benefit the environment.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
One of the major obstacles I am facing now is lawyer fees, and other cost association with bootstrapping a start up. I have not yet begun to produce revenue so all my money has currently come from my own savings and gifts from family. I still need to copyright the images I have produced, to ensure that I can avoid a lawsuit, and this will be the first thing I do when I begin to produce revenue. I have however realized that it is important that I can hire a graphic designer. My lack of the ability to obtain a graphic designer could prevent my business from being a success. I designed the Think.Recycle. campaign myself, but my lack of prior graphic design skills made the process time consuming. Although I enjoy the graphic design process I do not believe that it a good use of my time. I think that it would be in the best interest of my business if I were to hire a professional who had more experience, so that I could focus my energy elsewhere.
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
My partnership with Clark University has been critical to the success of my idea because they provided me with support through out the process. Professors within the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program helped me to refine my concept and produce a feasibility study. As I moved into the launch stage there continued support and advice allowed me to successfully launch my business in April of 2010.
Faculty, such as the Campus Sustainability Coordinator, helped with the beta testing of my idea on Clark Campus. This gave me the additional information I need to ensure that my idea would be successful.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
One of the most important actions that needs to be accomplished for the success of my initiative is to gain exposure. I intend to do this by reaching out to other established organizations that would benefit from my product and build partnerships. The organizations that I am considering building partnerships with are MassRecycle and The EPA WasteWise Program. The members of both of these organizations would benefit from the Think.Recycle. Campaign and therefore I believe a good partnership could be established.
Another action that is needed to grow my initiative is to hire a graphic designer. Hiring a designed would increase the capacity of Edviro and bring professional enhancement to my image. To do this, I intend to hire a graphic designer for my next campaign.
I want my organization to move beyond the Think.Recycle. campaign alone. My goal as an organization is to increase the sustainability of organizations through awareness and behavior change, so I want to continue to develop campaigns. By continuing to develop campaigns I can continue to make the world a more sustainable environment. However, I need my business to be sustainable as well, and having more than one campaign will do that.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
I had a great opportunity to intern with Genzyme, in their Environmental Affairs Department. It was here I was tasked with creating a recycling campaign to implement within their organization. It was a great success and made it way into several presentations. My supervisor kept telling me how a lot of other organizations at these conferences saw the value in such a campaign. Since Genzyme had no interest in distributing the campaign beyond their organization my supervisor suggested that I do something with it. As I entered my Junior year at Clark University I began my Capstone project for my Innovation & Entrepreneurship minor, it was here that I thought back to what my supervisor had told me. I thought that I could really make a difference in helping the environment by making organizations become more sustainable if I took my idea and created a business with it.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
I grew up on a small farm in Bolton, Ma. There was always a little bit of entrepreneurial blood in me from an early age. Instead of a lemonade stand, I had a vegetable stand, since they seemed so much more profitable. I held my stand at rush hour so I got as much traffic as possible and I surprised my parents when I very happily came home with around $60 a day, which to an 8 year old was a lot of money.
However, for me it was not all about money. I always wanted to make a difference in the world, and this I attribute a lot to my upbringing. My father is a PhD biochemist works to find cures for rare diseases, and my mother is a stay-at-home-Mom who did not stay at home very much, and spent most of her time volunteering. In 2000, my Mom founded a breast cancer walked that has raised over $500,000 to date. This I assume is where I got my entrepreneurial background. My Mom always told me “be the change you want to see in the world”, it is a motto she lives by, and I too try to live by.
When I came to Clark University, probably not coincidentally with the motto “challenge convention, change the world”, I was not really sure I could change the world. I decided to major in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The people around me told me that the two were a contradiction and that business and sustainability cannot work together. I did not believe them and set out to prove them wrong. I actually believe that to combat the environmental challenges the world faces sustainable business is essential. I realized now that one way to change the world is to help businesses become more sustainable.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
College or university
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 04/13/2010 by darfurstoves
Assault during firewood collection is a continuous threat faced by displaced women in Darfur. The Darfur Stoves Project seeks to improve the safety of women by providing fuel-efficient stoves that require less than half as much fuel than traditional cooking methods, thus reducing firewood requirements, thereby limiting exposure to unsafe areas.
Organisation: Technology Innovations for Sustainable Societies (TISS)
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
Nom
Technology Innovations for Sustainable Societies (TISS)
Adresse
2150 Allston Way, Suite 310, Berkeley, CA 94704
Votre organisation est-elle une
Pas inscrit
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
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lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Fuel-efficient stove distribution to protect women and the environment
Describe Your Idea
Assault during firewood collection is a continuous threat faced by displaced women in Darfur. The Darfur Stoves Project seeks to improve the safety of women by providing fuel-efficient stoves that require less than half as much fuel than traditional cooking methods, thus reducing firewood requirements, thereby limiting exposure to unsafe areas.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
The Berkeley-Darfur Stove was designed in collaboration with women living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Darfur. This collaborative approach has provided these women with a sense of ownership and has also helped to ensure that the stove design met key requirements such as accommodation of the pot style typically used in this region and protection from extreme windy and sandy conditions, while minimizing wood requirements. The Darfur Stove Project (DSP) designers took a modular design approach however, which allows possible customization for future distribution to other areas.
DSP uses a “train-the-trainer” approach to stove assembly, distribution, training, and marketing and invests considerable resources to build the capacity of our local partners. Our partners in turn engage in knowledge transfer to local staff, with a focus on displaced women. Knowledge transfer is monitored through DSP’s monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure successful and continuous training. Our goal is to gradually transition responsibility and ownership to local women. DSP also works closely with IDP camp community leaders to build awareness and increase buy-in.
To diversify DSP’s financial sources and replicate our successful model with our partners in other areas, such as Ethiopia and Haiti, DSP has begun a carbon credit financing pilot program through a partnership with World Vision in Ethiopia. This initiative takes advantage of the growing market for global warming emission offsetting by working with industry partners to offset their carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. DSP is continually searching for long-term financing options that both enhance our financial sustainability as well as have positive environmental impacts.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
The Darfur Stoves Project has helped to improve the safety of displaced women and girls in IDP camps, and when completely launched, will help to curtail the deforestation process and release of CO2 emissions in Darfur.
Collecting firewood for stove fuel is the primary reason displaced women and girls in IDP camps leave the relative safety of the IDP camps. These women and girls often face violent conditions during their long searches for firewood. Extensive deforestation has exacerbated the risk of violence as women are being forced to walk farther and more often in search of firewood.
Through our analysis and assessment of international aid organization reports, it is estimated that the average IDP camp family uses traditional three stone fire cooking methods, which require 1.8 tons of firewood for cooking each year, emitting 3 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. Through the use of the Berkeley-Darfur Stove, families are able to drastically reduce their firewood use thus saving 1.3 tons of firewood over the course of a year. Likewise, the average household will be able to reduce emissions by more than 2 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. With an anticipated 14,000 stoves in use by the end 2010, Berkeley-Darfur Stoves aims to reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 28,000 tons annually. We estimate that approximately 300,000 families are in need of a fuel efficient stove and our goal is to distribute a Berkeley-Darfur Stove to each family.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
Conflict in Darfur has claimed the lives of at least 300,000 people and created more than two million displaced persons within the region, many of whom live in large IDP camps throughout Darfur.
Families in IDP camps receive food aid and cooking oil from a variety of humanitarian aid organizations, however, families are still responsible for gathering firewood as fuel for cooking. Due to the size of the IDP camps and the desert-like terrain, wood is a scarce resource. Today, displaced women in the IDP camps must walk up to seven hours to find a single tree. With a lack of reforestation, women are continually walking farther from the relative safety of the camps.
To avoid unsafe conditions, some women purchase wood from middlemen; however, as payment for the firewood, families are often forced to sell food rations.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. What might prevent that success?
DSP has focused on four key elements to ensure timely distribution and successful adoption of the Berkeley-Darfur Stove: user-centered design, a cost-efficient manufacturing and supply chain strategy, close partnership with local organizations, and a monitoring and evaluation program.
The Berkeley-Darfur Stove was designed in collaboration with displaced women in Darfur. This collaborative approach has provided these women with a sense of ownership and has helped to ensure that the stove design met key requirements required for use in the region.
Our manufacturing and supply chain strategy utilizes an Ikea “flat-kit” approach. We have chosen to manufacture our flat-kits in India due to the mature infrastructure, political stability, and relative close proximity to Sudan. This approach allows us to delay the stove assembly to a stage that is closest to the user, thus allowing us to ramp up production as the need increases yet maintain low stove inventory levels. The unit cost of producing the flat-kits and shipping them to Port Sudan is approximately $13.60.
To mitigate operational risks due to Sudan’s political environment and history of expelling non-profits and advocacy groups, we have focused on collaborating with international development organizations and local NGOs, namely Oxfam America and Sustainable Action Group, that have experience and established networks in Sudan.
Operations are monitored via DSP’s monitoring and evaluation program. Our program includes periodic independent audits by DSP staff. Our monitoring and evaluation program also assesses stove usage for design quality feedback as well as analysis to understand the overall impact on personal safety and food security.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
The Berkeley-Darfur Stove was designed in collaboration with displaced women in the IDP camps. Prior to distributing the stove in mass however, the DSP team conducted a final field test. Fifty women from IDP camps were selected to receive a free prototype Berkeley-Darfur Stove for use over a period of one month. At the test’s end, women were then offered to keep the stove for a nominal fee of $5. At the end of the trial period, all women enthusiastically chose to purchase the stove. This test allowed the DSP team to conduct a final analysis of the design, but more importantly, DSP was able to confirm that the new stove was valuable to the women and met the key objective that the project set out to achieve: improve women’s safety by significantly reducing the time spent outside the IDP camp in search of firewood.
With our partners, Oxfam America and the Sustainable Action Group (SAG), a Sudanese NGO, in December 2009-January 2010 DSP manufactured and distributed 1000 Berkeley-Darfur Stoves in IDP camps, which allowed us to test and refine the manufacturing, assembly, and distributions processes as well as strengthen our relationship with local community camp leaders, which we feel is a critical component to stove distribution and adoption. Our plan is to manufacture, assemble and distribute an additional 8,000 stoves by the fall of 2010. DSP’s goal for 2011 is to manufacture and distribute 12,000 stoves. We estimate that more than 300,000 families in IDP camps are in need of a stove. Our objective is to create additional assembly and distribution centers, replicating the current model, and distribute stoves to hundreds of thousands of Darfuri families.
Together with our partners and with the support of the camp community leaders, we are developing awareness building and social marketing campaigns. Campaigns are staffed by key community leaders who already use a Berkeley-Darfur Stove. Awareness building will be continued throughout the stove distribution phase.
To understand the impact of the stove on safety and food security, we will continue our monitoring and evaluation during the distribution phase and 1 year after stove distribution has been completed. A continuous monitoring approach allows us to be adaptive to needs and environmental changes.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Non
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
Approximately 150 words left (1200 characters).
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis 1 à 5 ans
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Non
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your innovation
Our partnerships with both international NGOs and national professional organizations are critical to our program’s success. Our partnerships with professional private sector organizations in the United States allow us to develop strong strategic development plans for our organization as we register for our 501c(3) status and build our institutional structure. Oxfam America.manages the project in the field, and helped us to identify a stove distribution partner in Darfur the Sudanese NGO, Sustainable Action Group (SAG). Our partnership with Oxfam America and SAG has resulted in a stove assembly center in El Fasher, Sudan. Our partnership with SAG has also allowed us to provide employment opportunities for displaced persons who work in the assembly shop.
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
DSP has a yearly budget comprised of funding primarily received from institutional supporters and the general public. At present, 60% of our funding comes from The Blum Center for Developing Economies at UC Berkeley, the Sustainable Products and Solutions Program (developed by a grant from Dow Chemicals to UC Berkeley for sustainable product research and development) and grant money awarded to DSP founder and Senior Researcher, Dr. Ashok Gadgil. The remaining 40% is raised through fundraising campaigns and donations received through online marketing. DSP is currently searching for grants to supplement funding for the next fiscal year.
DSP has a number of initiatives underway to help diversify financial sources. For example, DSP has implemented a pilot program in Ethiopia in partnership with World Vision Australia that uses carbon credits for stove funding. We are assessing the possibility of expanding this initiative to provide long-term financial support for our Sudanese operations.
DSP’s partners plan to charge a small amount, when feasible, to stove recipients (the 1,000 recently distributed were given for free as a beta test). The fees are used as a deterrent to sell the stove for scrap metal and to offset local operational costs.
DSP maintains low overhead costs by relying on a team of volunteer specialists to supplement the permanent staff.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
In 2004 Dr. Ashok Gadgil, Faculty Senior Scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, received a phone call from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance at the United States Agency for International Development (OFDA/USAID). The OFDA representative explained to Dr. Gadgil that displaced women in the Darfur IDP camps faced unsafe conditions when leaving their camps in search of firewood.
In 2005 Dr. Gadgil led a four person fact-finding team to Darfur. After interviewing numerous Sudanese families and assessing local conditions, the team concluded that providing a fuel-efficient stove would have a significant impact on reducing exposure to violence. After conducting fuel-efficient stove testing and analysis Dr. Gadgil and his team determined that the Tara Stove, originally made in India, was the most appropriate for the environment in Darfur and quickly began modifying the Tara Stove to suit the environment of Darfur and the regional cooking style.
Through DSP’s monitoring and evaluation program, the Berkeley-Darfur Stove is periodically updated with quality and usability feedback as environmental and fuel availability conditions change.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
Dr. Ashok Gadgil is Senior Scientist and Acting Director in the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and also serves as an Adjunct Professor with the Energy and Resources Group at University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Gadgil has authored and co-authored more than 70 papers in refereed archival journals and more than 100 conference papers and has received many awards and honors for his work, including the Pew Fellowship in Conservation and the Environment in 1991 for his work on accelerating energy efficiency in developing countries, the World Technology Award for Energy in 2002, the Tech Award Health Laureate in 2004, and the Heinz award in 2009. Dr. Gadgil serves on several international and national advisory committees dealing with energy efficiency, invention and innovation, and issues of development and the environment. He is also a member of the STAP roster of experts of the Global Environmental Facility. In the 2004-5 academic year, Dr. Gadgil was the MAP/Ming Visiting Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford University.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another source, please provide the information
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherDoes your project address any of the following barriers to women’s technology access and use?
Women’s time poverty.
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how.
The stove cooks meals substantially faster than the traditional three-stone fire, such that women in Darfur have named it “Kanun Khamsa Dagaig” or 5-minute stove. Women also save time collecting firewood as the stove uses less than half the amount of wood as a three-stone fire.
Does your project involve women in one or more of the following stages of the technology lifecycle? Identification of the problem the technology will solve:
Market research, Assessment and evaluation.
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how you will ensure women’s involvement in each relevant phase of the technology lifecycle.
Feedback from women is an essential part of the process of developing a stove that benefits users.
If women are a focus of your project, how did this focus evolve?
The project focused on women from its conception..
Which type of women will your project reach directly?
Rural.
In what ways does your project team/leadership involve women?
It is led by a woman/women..
Has your organization formed any new partnerships in response to this challenge? If so, with what type/s of organization/s?
Non-profit/NGO/community-based organization.
Has your project leadership had prior experience with the following?
Working with women, Working with technologies, Working to increase women's economic empowerment through technology, Working on innovation.
Created on 04/13/2010 by rschoen27
HGIMT is an online checklist, blueprint, toolbox, scorecard, and greenweb, empowering local officials and citizens to measure their progress, compare scores and move forward on issues of sustainability, climate change and environmental health.
Organisation: Grassroots Environmental Education
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
Grassroots Environmental Education
Nom
Grassroots Environmental Education
Adresse
52 Main Street Port Washington, NY 11050
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
How Green Is My Town? (HowGreenIsMyTown.org)
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
HGIMT is an online checklist, blueprint, toolbox, scorecard, and greenweb, empowering local officials and citizens to measure their progress, compare scores and move forward on issues of sustainability, climate change and environmental health.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
Our program recognizes that issues of climate change, sustainability and environmental health are inextricably linked; we evaluate towns based on 142 criteria, we make the results available online, fostering friendly competition among towns, and we offer proven policy, program and commercial solutions from non-profits and government agencies across the country. We empower citizens to learn how and what their local elected officials are doing on these issues, and help college students understand complex environmental and public policy issues.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
Our pilot program in Westchester County, NY, conducted in cooperation with Pace University, rated all 43 towns. We awarded Green Star Awards to the winners, and have been invited by winners and non-winners to talk to them about improving their scores and moving forward to address green issues. There is now a real “buzz” – and a sense of friendly competition among towns in the county. Scores of college students now have a deep appreciation of the nexus of public policy and environmental issues.
Problème
Many well-intentioned community leaders and citizens want to move ahead on green issues but don’t know where to start. We give them a checklist of ideas, a blueprint for action and all the solutions they need. Our Green Links are like socially-screened Google ads, featuring only truly green companies. Some local leaders may think their towns are green, but have no measurement tool to make an accurate assessment. Now they do.
Actions
Our pilot program was in one county in suburban NY. We are seeking educational institutions across the country whose environmental studies students can help us collect and process data, ultimately to create the same sense of competition as in Westchester.
Results
If every town adopted the policies and programs included in HGIMT, we could significantly reduce air and water pollution, cut greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy use, protect the environment and create healthier communities for people, especially children. Hundreds of college students would be armed with knowledge about environmental issues and their potential solutions.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Our project has already been successful: our challenge is to replicate the program in communities across the country. We are in the process of reconfiguring our web site based on the experience gained in our pilot program; once completed we are seeking university and non-profit partners to implement the program in states across the country. Our biggest obstacle is awareness. Once people visit the site, they understand how to use it to make changes in their towns.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis 1 à 5 ans
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
Grassroots Environmental Education
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Our model is to partner with colleges and universities with environmental education programs, to have students do the local ratings of towns in their counties. We seek business solutions for our Green Links that are truly green; at the current time this is a free listing. We always seek the participation and support of the county government for our program (this is usually easy to obtain.)
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Money and personnel for promotion and administration of the program.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Board members asked how he could tell if his town was green or not. I looked online for some sort of measurement tool and found nothing that was comprehensive, or included any consideration of environmental health issues. We started making our own list, based loosely on our participation in the Westchester County Global Warming Task Force, and compared it to other criteria. As the list got longer we realized we not only had to define the questions but to provide the answers as well. Our proof-of-concept took place this spring when we finished rating the towns in Westchester County and presented the 2010 Green Star Awards.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Doug Wood is an author, composer, video producer and entrepreneur. He is the Associate Director of Grassroots Environmental Education, producer of numerous documentaries on environmental health, and a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Personal contact at Changemakers
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 04/13/2010 by jollypair
Grow Food Northampton (GFN) is developing a unique and innovative set of strategies to help communities feed themselves in a post-carbon world. Our local model of sustainable agriculture, community partnerships, and education is readily scalable to create resilient local food systems all across America.
Organisation: Grow Food Northampton
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherAdresse
39 Munroe St. Northampton, MA 01060
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Food security in a rapidly changing world: A town-based solution
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Grow Food Northampton (GFN) is developing a unique and innovative set of strategies to help communities feed themselves in a post-carbon world. Our local model of sustainable agriculture, community partnerships, and education is readily scalable to create resilient local food systems all across America.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
Most indicators suggest that our current oil-based food system is not sustainable. Feeding future generations, therefore, will require not mere tinkering with industrial agriculture, but a massive, deliberate shift to local food economies. GFN offers an innovative town-based guide to this transition by modeling a community process for 1) squarely facing projections of food system disruptions, 2) mobilizing local talent, skill, ingenuity and natural resources to create solutions for feeding ourselves, and 3) disseminating our lessons broadly.
Having commissioned and collaborated on a town-wide Food Security Assessment and Plan, GFN continues its ambitious effort to map and implement a new agricultural vision for Northampton. We are co-sponsoring with our Agricultural Commission a public planning process that gathers growers and consumers in discussion, outlines the current landscape of agriculture and food security in Northampton, and helps us plan a 21st century food economy. Knowing that some plans gather dust on shelves, GFN is matching this "big picture" visioning with immediate and on-going direct action. Already, we have assisted in saving 100 acres of prime in-town farmland; forged municipal, non-profit and private partnerships; created a vibrant listserv and blog to share information; leased city land for a seed-saving garden; and shared lessons and resources with grassroots organizations in nearby towns. Currently, our major initiative is the purchase of prime agricultural land to create a community farm that demonstrates financially self-sustaining organic farming to a new generation of food producers, feeds local residents, and serves as a local and regional model.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
We have had profound impact on community events in our mere nine-month existence. First, GFN aggressively intercepted a seemingly inevitable municipal plan to purchase and convert to sports fields the fertile 50-acre "Bean Farm" in Northampton. Through tireless advocacy, coalition-building and sound research, we steered Northampton instead toward a collaborative project with the nationally-respected Trust for Public Land (TPL) to save both the Bean Farm and its neighboring 135-acre "Allard Farm" primarily for farming, while reserving enough land to meet recreational needs and conserve riverfront habitat. In so doing, we received media coverage in three local newspapers, three regional radio programs, and three regional news blogs.
Concurrently, we collaborated with the forward-thinking Conway School of Landscape Design (www.csld.edu) and Transition Northampton to craft a Food Security Plan for Northampton. Initiated by citizens, the Plan involved an extensive research process into land use and food-growing possibilities, a survey of our current resources for attaining food, concrete action steps, a public presentation with 100 keenly interested attendees, and a final written and illustrated document (available in draft at www.growfoodnorthampton.com). Other examples of our impact:
•Historically traced the Bean and Allard Farms to the prime farmland of a famous Florence, MA abolitionist society of which Sojourner Truth was a member.
•Researched and informed Northampton of the financial advantages of seeking Agricultural Preservation Restrictions on the Bean & Allard Farms.
•Engaged TPL in the effort to save both farms. Connected TPL to the City of Northampton.
•Created a 285-member listserv and educational blog.
Problème
With climate change and oil depletion upon us, we can't rely on our current oil-based food system to satisfy our future food needs. Yet we find ourselves ill-prepared to shift to localized food economies. Nationally, the average farmer is 57 years old and the average food item travels over 1000 miles from farm to fork; regionally, we've lost 11% of our cropland in the last ten years alone. And Northampton, although possessing highly fertile floodplains, grows petroleum-based export monoculture on 80% of its fields. In addition to wanting to serve fellow citizens who are food-insecure now, we believe that none of us is immune from the effects of food-system disruptions that may come with fuel-price spikes and erratic weather. We believe communities must act immediately to save farmland, re-skill their citizens in small-scale sustainable agriculture, and strengthen all aspects of their local food economy, including production, processing, marketing and distribution.
Actions
GFN sees four strategies as key to our success:
1) Capacity-building: We incorporated as a non-profit organization, created a skilled Board of Directors, and are gathering an expert Advisory Board. Our grassroots member base increases daily.
2) Strengthening partnerships: We have gained strong support from Northampton's Planning Department and Agricultural Commission and have cultivated partnerships with some of the most respected farm and land trust organizations in the region.
3) Public engagement: Among other actions, we are securing the services of the respected Glynwood Center (www.glynwood.org) to guide Northampton in the public planning process called "Keep Farming".
4) Broad dissemination of our innovative model: We will share our story through multi-media technology, presentations and tabling at environmental conferences and summits, on-line archiving, and informal grassroots networks.
Long-term success will require transition from a volunteer-driven initiative to developing a dues-paying member base and funding sources for paid staff and land acquisition.
Results
We will create a broadly conceived and supported “agricultural vision” for Northampton, a vibrant community farm, and a disseminable model for town-based agriculture. We will purchase the Bean/Allard farmland; select innovative farmers and agricultural programs committed to teaching and practicing regenerative, closed-loop agriculture, and will craft affordable, long-term leases. With municipal, non-profit, and private support we will do all of the above effectively and credibly. For example, by partnering with the Agricultural Commission in "Keep Farming", we win the trust of older farmers whose land knowledge and local influence are invaluable. Working with Equity Trust, we gain technical expertise in drafting sustainable farm leases, and enjoy their financial sponsorship. Teaming with local schools, we bring agriculture into the curriculum, fresh food into the cafeteria, and create the farmers of tomorrow. Finally, recognizing the need for bioregional coordination, we will partner with neighboring towns and cities to strengthen regional food security.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Over the next three years, GFN will need to 1) earn "buy-in" among Northampton growers, consumers, government, schools, businesses, non-profit groups and social service agencies-- in order to complete successfully the "Keep Farming" planning process, 2) launch a model community farm, and 3) document and disseminate our town-based model.
YEAR 1:
Planning: 1) Identify stakeholders to serve on the "Keep Farming" Steering Committee (KFSC). 2) With expert guidance from the Glynwood Center, research and assess the agricultural landscape in Northampton answering questions like: How many dollars does farming bring to our economy? What food is produced, how and where? Where and how is food processed, distributed and sold? What land is promising for conversion to sustainable agriculture? How?
Community Action: Launch capital campaign to buy the Bean/Allard farmland. Select Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farmers and innovative farm education programs. Grow a seed saving garden. Disseminate free seeds widely. Engage youth interns to organize events and teach food growing and processing skills.
YEAR 2:
Planning: Hold workshops and forums tailored to engage and educate the various stakeholders. Strategize with agencies such as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts on how to meet the fresh food needs of vulnerable populations. Co-sponsor with Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) farmer workshops spotlighting the CSA farm model.
Community Action: Secure title to Bean/Allard land. Identify lessees. Begin active farming and farm education programs. Enlist "crop mobs" to glean fields and deliver thousands of pounds of fresh food to our Survival Center.
YEAR 3:
Planning: KFSC analyzes outcome of stakeholder forums, publishes recommendations and gains City Council endorsement. Begin plan implementation and online archive for model dissemination.
Community Action: Commence "school to farm" program to augment school lunches with fresh food and provide hands-on agricultural training. Create bank of seeds suitable to local growing conditions.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
1) Raising sufficient public and government awareness of our unsustainable food system is crucial to our success in order to secure the political commitment of time and resources toward supporting alternative town-based agriculture. Our recent effort to save the Bean/Allard farmland revealed widespread misinformation about the value of prime agricultural soil, as well as skepticism that our existing food system is vulnerable. Therefore, building collective literacy about our oil-based food system is critical to reaching a "tipping point" for action. To increase public awareness, we will partner with Transition Northampton in presenting compelling evidence of climate change and peak oil to existing civic groups and neighborhood associations, run a bi-monthly local food potluck and lecture series, organize farm tours, screen documentaries followed by discussions, and maintain a clearinghouse of events and information through our website.
2) Reaching our fundraising goals for the Bean/Allard purchase is also essential. Support from the Trust for Public Land -- including their fundraising expertise and extensive member base -- would be a tremendous support in our capital campaign, and initial progress on this collaboration is encouraging. We have also earned the confidence of Equity Trust, whose philosophical, financial, and technical commitment to this project is a strong asset in gaining support from TPL. Furthermore, our Board is crafting, with expert training from several of our members, an independent fundraising strategy.
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$1000 - 4000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Because all of us are "eaters" and hence, are all stakeholders in food security, GFN's work has been and will be accomplished through a broad array of partnerships. In our dash to save the Bean Farm, we received technical, moral and/or political support from five regional and national land trust organizations, nearby CSA farms, as well as regionally respected CISA, the Northampton Agricultural and Historical Commissions, and the David Ruggles Center on Early Florence [MA] History. Grassroots groups like Transition Northampton and Green Northampton delivered citizen-activists to our cause. These partnerships enabled us to save the farms, which made our ambitious "next steps" possible.
We see our partnerships both deepening (as with local farmers, Equity Trust, CISA, and Glynwood Center) and multiplying to include food vendors, the Northampton school system, the Survival Center, and organizations in nearby towns, like Just Roots in Greenfield, MA and Nuestras Raices in Holyoke, MA.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
Building organizational capacity: In addition to our new Board of Directors, we are assembling an Advisory Board of skilled individuals (professional fundraisers, educators, successful CSA farmers, community organizers, representatives from partner organizations and nearby community farms). While awaiting our 501(c)(3) status, we are working toward short-term fiscal sponsorship from Equity Trust to allow us to build a dues-paying member base, receive tax-deductible donations, and seek grants. Until we secure funding for paid staff, we will broaden our member base, rely on our active members and partners to fulfill our work, and employ interns from nearby colleges to assist us in events planning.
Strengthening and multiplying partnerships: Partnerships are key to expanding our base and increasing our fundraising capabilities. CISA, the American Farmland Trust and Equity Trust continue to provide advice and has resources, and inform their constituents of our work. With the Northampton Survival Center, a service agency that feeds our community's hungry, we hope to co-sponsor gardening and fresh food preparation workshops for their clients. Partnerships with our local public schools, especially the Smith Vocational and Agricultural School, are also integral to our goal of teaching sustainable farming as well as skills needed in all areas of a locally-based food economy.
Engaging the public: Our public engagement strategy will follow the globally acclaimed "Transition Town" model, which educates citizens about the interconnected challenges of peak oil, climate change, and economic instability, and inspires immediate community-level action. As citizens are drawn to the Transition movement, GFN will serve as a clearinghouse for local food security issues and as a catalyst for citizen activism. Furthermore, we will plug into the vibrant social networking "ning" of Transition US, allowing us to join a national discussion on building food security at the local level, exchange multi-media resources, and offer each other moral support.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
In 2009, Grow Food Northampton was propelled into action by an urgent threat to prime farmland at the Bean Farm in Florence, MA, a village of Northampton. In the context of a local food movement that had been building strength in ways large and small for years, this threat galvanized a group of devoted activists to speak out and organize on behalf of our community's food security.
The original impetus to regenerate our local food system was fueled by readings, insights, and neighborhood conversations that took place with increasing frequency and intensity over the past several years. A nucleus of community activists responded to the urgent threats of climate change, fossil fuel depletion, and economic instability by focusing on the core issue of local food.
Some of us in GFN have been preparing for these challenges at the household level for years, while also increasing the volume of public conversation in community and activist groups such as the Western Massachusetts Permaculture Guild and relocalization discussion groups. Last year marked a watershed moment of increased momentum, both in the formation of Grow Food Northampton and the concurrent formation of Transition Northampton (for which GFN serves as the entity focusing on food). Northampton is increasingly indicating its collective readiness for profound change, and the American Farmland Trust and the Trust for Public Land have identified our town as a "hot spot" for farmland protection. Northampton's government has been increasingly active in focusing on sustainability as an important area of concern. The citizenry, more and more, is discovering the power of public discourse via forums, print media, and grassroots organizing. Seizing upon these converging sources of activism and momentum, and with the threat to the Bean Farm solidifying our determination to create widespread change, we were spurred into more organized and intensive action.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Inspired by the examples of countless activists, and with the support of many partners, the primary innovator in this project is Lilly Lombard, founder and board president of Grow Food Northampton. Feisty, the youngest of eight children, and barely five feet tall, Lilly was educated in Foreign Service at Georgetown University and Public Health at the University of Michigan. In early adulthood, she spent three years teaching African school children in pre-democratic South Africa. Today, Lilly views herself above all as 1) a mother whose job it is to protect her children and 2) a passionate community organizer committed to shaping a world where children thrive. Drawn to opportunities for democracy-building and direct action work at the town scale, Lilly's family intentionally moved to Northampton eight years ago from metropolitan DC. While raising her children and consulting in the field of population and family planning, Lilly has spent her spare time studying and practicing community-based solutions to climate change and peak oil, and transforming her small in-town yard into a micro-farm. She manually de-paved her asphalt driveway to create tillable space, and she and her daughter peddle vegetables by wagon through their neighborhood. Lilly is equally troubled by the fragility of our global food system, and drawn to the inherent beauty, dignity and resilience of small-scale diversified, organic agriculture.
When her children were toddlers, Lilly co-led the successful underdog campaign in Northampton to pass the Community Preservation Act (CPA), legislation that allows Massachusetts municipalities to levy a property-tax surcharge (and enjoy a state match) to fund the long-term preservation of open space, historic resources and affordable housing. In 2008 Lilly became an elected member of Northampton's Community Preservation Committee, and during her term Northampton's CPA fund has contributed nearly one million tax dollars toward farmland protection. Lilly founded Grow Food Northampton to mobilize thousands of Northampton "locavores" and food producers to save threatened prime farmland. The effort exposed a passionate and well-informed core of local food supporters. This success served as a springboard for the larger challenge of not only launching a model community farm, but also exposing our frail food system and steering our community toward a sustainable food economy that feeds our bellies as well as the imagination and collaboration of towns and cities throughout our region. Hence, while ignited by Lilly's leadership and advocacy, Grow Food Northampton's innovative work is now community owned and driven.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Through another organization or company
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 04/9/2010 by rrrussell
The Community Rehab Learning Project is a school without walls where hands-on instruction in basic construction skills takes place within vacant, abandoned houses. Practical applications of the STEM (science, tech, engineering and math) curriculum that students are studying will be incorporated throughout the process. Renovated houses will return to the community as safe, energy efficient homes.
Organisation: Community Rehab Learning Project
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherOrganisation
Community Rehab Learning Project
Nom
Community Rehab Learning Project
Adresse
62 Churchill Rd. New Lebanon, NY 12125
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Building Skills and Rebuilding Community
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
The Community Rehab Learning Project is a school without walls where hands-on instruction in basic construction skills takes place within vacant, abandoned houses. Practical applications of the STEM (science, tech, engineering and math) curriculum that students are studying will be incorporated throughout the process. Renovated houses will return to the community as safe, energy efficient homes.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
When first envisioning this project, I was inspired by the motto of the Historic Albany Foundation - "The most responsible way to build is to recycle an old building.” The Capital District of New York State has over 1000 vacant, abandoned buildings and houses. While organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, concentrate on building new homes, very few organizations work to renovate vacant, uninhabitable houses. These houses continue to deteriorate until they must be razed. Each of these could become a learning laboratory for teaching construction and renovation skills.
Students will learn these skills as practical applications of the STEM curriculum with an emphasis on energy conservation and green, sustainable practices. Participants may engage in community service, service learning or vocational school practice. Students will also learn of opportunities to transition to more formal training specific to the trades and green jobs with an emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Many students come from underrepresented groups and will be encouraged to pursue careers in STEM fields.
This project will operate during school hours for students in G.E.D. or School To Work programs. It will also be available as an after school program and during summer vacation and other breaks.
Special attention will be paid to LEED or similar certification where appropriate.
Workshops and seminars, open to all community members, will be held focusing on home maintenance and improvement, and energy efficiency projects.
These renovated houses will be put back into service as affordable, safe, functional, energy efficient homes for low to moderate income families.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
While we searched for houses that The Community Rehab Learning Project could renovate, potential donors have been surprised by what we would be willing to accept. These houses would normally cost much more to renovate than they are worth in the real estate market. However, they are still structurally sound enough to be saved and not razed. We are offering another avenue for solving the problem of vacant houses.
Organizations that want to send students to our program are anxiously anticipating having opportunities for students to engage in realistic, long term projects, where students will see progress and significant improvement in their neighborhoods.
While discussing the applications of math and science to house renovation skills, many people are surprised by how pervasive the need to appreciate math and science is to these skills.
Problème
Practical applications of the STEM curriculum to enhance science and math courses are difficult to create. Students can gain some value from models in the classroom, however the most engaging educational experiences are those situated in the real world.
Most after school programs are available for younger children, and very few exist for older high school students. The New York State Afterschool Network (NYSAN)is encouraging us to develop this as an alternative way for high school students to earn credit. Few such opportunities exist now.
An excessive number of vacant houses contributes to the decay of neighborhoods that create problems in urban areas. Empty houses encourage undesirable activities, and when they collapse present serious hazards.
There is lack of community service opportunities that significantly impact individuals and communities available in many neighborhoods. Schools and students often have difficulty finding service learning projects that go beyond raking leaves and picking up trash.
Construction trades organizations and unions are very concerned about the lack of younger people and members of underrepresented groups going into the building trades.
Actions
The Community Rehab Learning Project has been building partnerships with local educational agencies, such as YouthBuild.
We are seeking property donations from individuals, neighborhood associations and local city governments.
We are working with organizations, such as Historic Albany Foundation, to make sure that our projects fit well within the neighborhoods.
We have spoken to government officials at the local, state and national level.
We are seeking funding to proceed with the project and provide operating funds for future years. Several grant foundations have expressed strong interest in our project and will be reviewing our applications through the rest of the year.
Results
Students will learn construction skills, gain a stronger appreciation for science and math, and become active, involved participants in their community's redevelopment. A recent survey of students in service learning courses found that 90% of the students believed they had a better understanding of the concepts they were taught, 82% stated they would choose another service learning course and 80% said they would volunteer in their community. Students also report increased self-confidence and a sense of self-empowerment. They will learn practical life skills and will be able to present valuable experiences to prospective employers.
Vacant, deteriorating houses will become safe, functional homes.
As homeowners occupy once vacant houses, the quality of life will improve, tax bases will be revitalized and the local economy will improve.
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Year 1
During the first year we will need to complete the renovation of at least two houses. We will need to build and strengthen partnerships, seek funding and get the word out about our organization. When these houses are sold, the proceeds will help fund the next group of renovations. We will evaluate additional properties for acquisition.
Year 2
We plan to expand in this year as the initial successful renovations increase our credibility and funding opportunities. We will continue with best practices from the first year and hire additional staff to increase the number of participants served. We will increase our volunteer base and begin to offer regularly scheduled workshops for the community at large.
Year 3
We will continue fund raising and forming partnerships as in the previous years and expand staff and hope to include some former participants as part of the staff.
What would prevent your project from being a success?
Lack of funding will be the biggest hurdle. Bureaucratic delays from government agencies could delay progress. Lack of support from local governments and agencies, inadequate staffing, unmotivated students, problems with securing specialized services, such as asbestos abatement, and uncontrollable issues - a neighboring house collapsed onto a scheduled donation house a week before we were to begin work - could prevent a successful house renovation.
There have been a couple of previous attempts at renovations by non profit groups. They tended to do only limited projects and lacked proper construction experience and oversight. We have been working to overcome the bad impression they have left.
Perhaps the greatest frustration we've experienced has been the chicken and the egg problem or the Catch-22. After we received our 501(c)3 status, we started seeking funding. Several funding sources said come back when you have some houses. The city departments and other organizations who could donate houses said come back when you have funds and students. We are currently awaiting approval of an MOU for transfer ownership of a house contingent on funding and students.
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$100 ‐ 1000
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
The Community Rehab Learning Project
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Albany Housing Authority has donated our first house and will be providing future donations of houses.
Albany YouthBuild will be providing students.
Local schools will also provide students as part of an after school program, a School to Work program and Service Learning projects.
Local professionals, such as architects, structural engineers, and construction tradespeople will donate their services or provide them at reduced rates.
When we met Congressman Paul Tonko, who represents our district, he remarked how our project works so well on many levels.
One of our board members works for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), specializing in the deep retrofit of older buildings. We hope to partner with NYSERDA.
A major building materials manufacturer is seriously considering a small grant through our YouthBuild partnership. Moreover, they have suggested that we may receive donations of materials and expert volunteers.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
A top priority is securing adequate funding to cover materials for our first projects and for operating expenses for our organization before the sales of the first properties begin to produce a more sustainable funding source. We have spoken with members of Congress who represent our state and district and with state and local government officials. All are very supportive and have made suggestions on how to apply for funding that they have access to and on where to search for additional funding. If we are approved, most of these funds will not be available until 2011.
After successfully completing the first renovation projects, we will have a celebration event to let the neighborhood and city know what can be done.
Then selling the first renovated home and having a family occupy it will complete the first cycle.
These three actions will demonstrate that we are a viable alternative to either razing abandoned houses or cost prohibitive commercial renovation.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
We recently completed a major renovation of a house with some significant historical value. The house was going to be donated to a local fire department as a practice burn down. The renovation required complete gutting, major structural repairs, removal of recent unstable additions and complete installation of new mechanical systems. When we finished, I realized I had gained a lot of knowledge and a little wisdom during many years in construction. Moreover, I had a strong desire to share that knowledge.
While teaching in a program that encourages students from underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, I was becoming frustrated with the challenges of teaching practical applications of these topics in a classroom.
At this time a new program was starting in Albany called Get Unvacant. About 900 vacant houses and buildings had been identified in the city that needed to be renovated and occupied. I was becoming increasingly aware of the potential for residential space within the city and of the imbalances caused by building subdivisions outside of urban areas. Recycling and reusing these vacant houses seemed like an obvious solution.
My desire to teach, to share a wealth of knowledge and to make an impact on improving local communities came together in developing this project.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
Robert has been a math and science teacher for 28 years. Since the beginning of his teaching career, he has been a strong proponent of experiential education. While he loves teaching math and science, he has found some of his greatest satisfaction when teaching auto mechanics, furniture construction and musical instrument building. All of these topics provided a wealth of opportunities to demonstrate practical applications of math and science and provided great examples to take back to the regular classroom. One of the best benefits of teaching he has found is what he actually learns through teaching and preparing lessons.
During summer vacations, Robert was hired by the school where he taught to build furniture, to remodel classrooms and offices , and to do major renovation projects. He often used student assistants, gaining insight into teaching practical skills and the importance of experiential education.
During the early years of his construction experience, Robert didn't think much about what was tossed into the construction dumpster. He also didn't consider much more than price when choosing materials or techniques. However, during the last few years he has adopted more and more green building practices and worries about properly recycling or disposing of every scrap. He embraces every opportunity to learn new skills, improve existing ones and better understand the impact of construction materials and techniques on the environment.
Robert has often participated in and managed community service activities both at home and abroad. An avid bicyclist, he has a strong passion for developing and maintaining rail trail parkways. While teaching in Ohio, he organized a student group to help with the conversion and maintenance of an abandoned former music conservatory into a residential and educational facility for Otomi Indians in Queretaro, Mexico. Other student groups continued to follow in future years.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Through another organization or company
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Created on 04/8/2010 by chandima
This project proposes the production of bicycle passenger carriers and spares parts for needy countries. It generates a large number of other supporting business as well; riders (who ride for a fee), repairing etc. It gives a green, healthy and highly economical way of transportation for low income public. The proposed invention has overcome all the drawbacks of the presently used such carriers.
Organisation: Universiti Putra malaysia
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
Nom
Universiti Putra malaysia
Votre organisation est-elle une
Organisme gouvernemental
How long has this organization been operating?
Plus 5 années
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
Manuafacturing & promotion of a bicycle passenger carrier
Describe your Social Enterprise
This project proposes the production of bicycle passenger carriers and spares parts for needy countries. It generates a large number of other supporting business as well; riders (who ride for a fee), repairing etc. It gives a green, healthy and highly economical way of transportation for low income public. The proposed invention has overcome all the drawbacks of the presently used such carriers.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your innovation unique?
A bicycle passenger carrier (BPC) can be used for the transportation of both passengers and their goods. The presently available type (known as bicycle rickshaw) in Bangladesh and western parts of India has several disadvantages. Each disadvantage and solution is given below.
1. The rider is exposed to rain and sun: A separate foldable hood for the rider
2. Large weight and corrosion problems of the carriage: Aluminium frame
3. Uncomfortable seating arrangement of the rider: Well cushioned seat with a back rest
4. The negative concept of “a human being dragging a human being”: Passengers are also provided with pedals to ride
5. Uncomfortablility for the passengers due to road condition: The passenger compartment is installed with a shock absorbing system.
The proposed BPC consists of a rider compartment separated by a transparent fabric from the passenger compartment which is designed for two passengers and their hand luggage. The two compartments have separate foldable hoods. The passenger compartment is provided with two sets of pedals to support the efforts of the rider.
Due to the above unique modifications the proposed BPC can be widely used as a mode of transport (for a small fee) in many parts of South Asia, South East Asia, Africa and South America in both rural and urban areas. In addition to being a low cost transportation the BPC can also be used as a fun-vehicle at archeological, zoological, botanical, beach etc. sites, other tourist resorts and amusement parks. The production of BPCs will generate millions of jobs in the form of riders, bicycle and spare part dealers, repairing and service providers etc.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
Short-distance transportation is a considerable problem in many parts of the world due to lack of means of transportation and economical constraints. In Sri Lanka alone there are over 5000 villages to which the distance is more than 3 km from the main route of transportation. The people in these villages travel either by foot, by small vans or by three wheelers. The first option is time consuming and not to be practiced on regular basis, especially with a hand luggage. The second option is not preferable due to over crowding, irregularity in schedule and unavailability on specific days. Only a few people can opt for three-wheelers due to the high cost. The last two means of transportation also make a huge environmental impact: high emission and noise pollution due to ill-maintained old vehicles, two stroke engines, etc.
The proposed bicycle passenger carrier (BPC) provides solution for the above issue as the low cost of purchasing and operating of a BPC enable the owner to provide a reliable cheap means of short-distance transportation. The biggest hurdle in popularizing the BPC in many countries is the concept of “a human being dragging a human being” which prevents an average passenger from seeking the service of a BPC. However, with the introduction of peddling to the passenger as well minimize such thinking. Apart from providing low cost method of transportation to low-income people the BPC can also be popularized as a fun-vehicle in site seeing tours and amusement park rides.
Considered the number of possible locations where BPC can be introduced, in South Asia and Africa alone the BPC has a market of over 20 million in the first year of manufacturing. It will benefit over couple of billion people per month all over the world.
In Sri Lanka, the cost of a 3-wheeler hired for 3 km is approximately USD 1.20. Consider the BPC rider charge 1/3 rd of this amount (40 Cents). He can easily cover 30 rides a day earning USD 12. This is twice the average earning of a person of similar skills earn in Sri Lanka. The BPC can be sold at USD 200 keeping a 20% net profit margin. If the BPC owner saves USD 2 per day and work 20 days a month, he can pay back the cost in less than 6 months even at an interest rate of 12%.
The manufacturing plant need not be equipped with hi-tech machinery hence the initial investment will be fairly low compared with similar business investments. Hence the return on investment will be one to two years.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
Problems-1: The hardships faced by common people in regular short-distance transportation; lack of proper modes of transportation and non-affordability for existing transportation
Problem-2: The concept of “a human being is dragging another human being” that prevents people seeking BPC type transportation
Problem-3: The need for non-emissive, silent, and recreational type of transportation for site seeing and tourist activities.
Problem-4: The environmental problems caused by the existing transportation due to ill-maintained old vehicles and two stroke engines etc.
Problem-5: The need of mass-scale self employment for people with below average income.
These problems will be successfully addressed by the proposed project which has been described in detail in the other sections
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. Include a description of the business model. What might prevent that success?
1. A patent will be applied for the concept and design.
2. The project plan will be discussed with several potential entrepreneurs.
3. A road map, profit sharing basis and other legal/business aspects are finalized
4. A manufacturing plant will be established at a suitable location in Malaysia, Sri Lanka or any other country as per the agreement with the entrepreneur
5. The concept will be discussed with the authorities of respective governments (with Sri Lankan government at first) for subsidies, tax reduction etc. and also with banks of respective countries (in Sri Lanka at first) to arrange loans for the potential buyers
6. A marketing promotional campaign is launched to make the potential customers aware of the product.
7. Start the manufacturing process
8. Educate local authorities, Police, and social workers regarding the introduction of the new mode of transportation.
9. Start the marketing process
10. Asses the success and failure after one year to improve the business
Challenges:
1. One of the major causes of heavy road-traffic in cities such as Calcutta and Dhaka is the bi-cycle rickshaw. Therefore this mode of transport should not be introduced into the metropolitan areas. A law should be enforced to ban passenger or goods carrying rickshaws from entering such areas.
2. The vehicle is difficult to be operated if the road condition is very bad.
3. Untrained riders may cause road accidents. Therefore the rickshaw riders should be given a two week training after which a licence is issued to him or her for carrying passengers. The rickshaw should also be registered at a local authority (eg. municipal council) and the registration number should be displayed on the front and rear of the rickshaw.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
Year-1: Establishment of the factory, preperation for production (collection of materials), finalizing agreements with government, local authoritie, banks and dealers.
Year-2: Selling 50,000 units, have discussions with the authroities in several states of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other possible countries to luanch the project.
Year-3: selling 500,000 units. Increase the capacity of the plant,have discussions with East Asian countries to launch the project.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Plus de 10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
$50 - 100
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
The following conditions are applicable mostly to urban areas
1. One of the major causes of heavy road-traffic in cities such as Calcutta and Dhaka is the bi-cycle rickshaw. Therefore this mode of transport should not be introduced into the metropolitan areas. A law should be enforced to ban passenger or goods carrying rickshaws from entering such areas.
2. Untrained riders may cause road accidents. Therefore the rickshaw riders should be given a two week training after which a license is issued to him or her for carrying passengers. The rickshaw should also be registered at a local authority (eg. municipal council) and the registration number should be displayed on the front and rear of the rickshaw.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat stage is your Social Enterprise in?
Étape conceptuelle
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your Social Enterprise
Without having a partnership with a sound entrepreneur I will not be able to make this business a success due to lack of
1. capital investment
2. business planning experience
3. business operational and executing expereince
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
The University will look for a business partner in Malaysia who would like to invest for the project.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
When I saw the people in rural Sri Lanka walking 4-5 km every day, in burning heat, to get their daily needs; simply because they do not have any means of transport in those areas.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
I am a Professor of Physics (university of Colombo) and now an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at UPM, Malaysia. My expertise is Lightning and Transient protection. However, for more than 15 years of my professional career, I spend many hours volunteering to do something for the poor people in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The NASTEC Sri Lanka and several NGOs helped me a lot in achieving my targets.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Social media (e.g. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
If through another source, please provide the information
Created on 04/6/2010 by jkabasiita
To offer a source of cheap clean fuel(biogas)to the rural population at household level, while reducing wood fuel consumption and making available plant nutrients to the soil and reducing the workload for rural woman. This reduction on time and labout required to gather fuel for cooking and cooking itself leaves women with time to engage in other economic activities.
Organisation: JHIL MURRAY (U) Ltd
plus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherIs your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
Adresse
P.O BOX 642,Mbarara,Uganda
Votre organisation est-elle une
Entreprise
How long has this organization been operating?
Moins d'un année
Les informations que vous fournissez ici seront utilisées pour combler toutes les parties de votre profil qui ont été laissées en blanc, comme les intérêts,les informations sur l'organisation, et le site Web. Aucune information de contact sera rendu publique. S'il vous plaît décochez ici si vous ne voulez pas que cela se produise..
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
JHIL Murray Biogas Project
Describe Your Idea
To offer a source of cheap clean fuel(biogas)to the rural population at household level, while reducing wood fuel consumption and making available plant nutrients to the soil and reducing the workload for rural woman. This reduction on time and labout required to gather fuel for cooking and cooking itself leaves women with time to engage in other economic activities.
Country your work focuses on
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
It addresses numerous developing country issues all at ago; economic, environmental, social(employment), health and gender.Most energy solutions in Uganda are not focused on the rural poor because they are expensive and cannot be afforded by the poor.Use of biogas will reduce the pressure of deforestation, improve air quality in home kitchens, reduce release of greenhouse gases, use used up residue for as manure for agriculture, increase employment opportunities, and reduction of workload for rural women hence engaging them in other economic activities since they have time and energy.In summary, the idea addresses both local, national and global economic, social and environmental issues/problems
Do you have a patent for this idea?
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
Gender benefits:There will be a decrease in the workload of rural women hence giving them more time to engage in other economic activities by reducing the time and labout required to collect fuel and cook meals.
Economic benefits:Women, by engaging in construction, training of people, etc will be earning hence improving the livelihoods of their families
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
The innovation addresses the problem of massive deforestation in Uganda with the associated environmental problems(poor waste management, erosion, diseases,flooding, landslides,seasonal changes, etc). This in turn directly affects the rural woman who depends on forests/trees for food, medicine,recreation and as a watershed for clean water.Poor health in families also impact directly on women who provide acre for the sick most of the time hence limiting on the time spent on more economic activities
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. What might prevent that success?
1.Problem identification and needs analysis by involving all the key stakeholders(communities, NGOs/CBOs operating in the area, potential funders, etc)
2.Getting authorisation and permission from relevant government authorities/regulatory bodies
3.Development and introduction of strict quality control measures and standards
4.Training of both women and men technicians and skilled labour
5.Designing proper Monitoring and Evaluation/inspection programmes that are gender sensitive
6.Establishment of extension services and other related support services
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
1.Implement the right project in a society and that will be accepted and supported because everyone is involved. This will be addressed at the project inititation stage(1st year)
2.Getting authorisation from government is mandantory so that proper licences and permits are obtanined on time to avoid future litigation. This will also be done immediately after needs assessment in the fisrt year
3.Strict quality control measures and standards ensure quality of product is maintained and trusted by users and also avoids accidents that can lead litigation. This will be done in the second year at the start of the project
4.Training of the local technicians ensures sustainabilty even after the project has pulled out. This will be ongoing
5.Monitoring and inspection ensures that the plants installed are used in a proper manner and are in a sound state at all times and that the project objectives are met
How many people will your project serve annually?
101‐1000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
The environmental public policy seeks to promote the common good through environmental stewardship by improving the human welfare and protecting the natural world. The biogas project will transfer wealth from polluters to pollution controllers by offering employment, cheap energy and technology advancement and improving the environmental quality as a whole.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
Étape conceptuelle
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your innovation
1.Patnerships help in sharing of ideas and experiences. There is a guaranteed wider pool of knowledge and skills.
2.Partnerships provide moral support and will allow for more creative brainstorms between different organisations and businesses.There is better administration and financial systems in place
3.There are chances of sharing resources such as funds and equipment
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
The following categories have been identified as potential avenues for financing the initiative; Debt financing, equipment leasing (third party financing),government waste management cost sharing or partial grants from the government bodies like National Forestry Authority, National Environment Management Authority, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, etc.
The Biogas Project will provide clean energy to consumers(community. It will at the same time provide some income to garbage scavengers, local technician(installation), time and energy saved by women to collect fuel wood would be utilised elsewhere to generate other sources of income, e.g food crops.The local technicians will also get income when servicing/maintaining the plants.In future,international environemtal bodies can be encouraged to start buying carbon credits from the owners of the biogas plants.The Project will earn from sale of the biogas plants and training of trainers
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
Living in a country where energy(electricity) is expensive and unreliable, where use of fuel wood has led to massive destruction of beautiful rainforests,where pregnant women walk long distances with children on their backs looking for fuelwood made me think of alternative sources of fuel.Most recent was when a woman was devoured by wild animals (lions were suspected) while she looked for fuel wood in a neighbouring national park.My indirect involvement in destroying natural resources- because I use charcoal to cook which charcoal is obtained from cutting down trees in the wildlife parks and forests; poor handling and disposal of household wastes made me rethink of what I preach and what I actually do
Making briquettes was the first alternative on my mind.But when I compared the benefits of briquettes and those of biogas, I thought biogas was better as shown by benefits above.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
The social innovator behind this idea is myself
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another source, please provide the information
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherDoes your project address any of the following barriers to women’s technology access and use?
Women’s time poverty, Social norms, Economic or institutional constraints, Women’s lack of involvement in the technology development process.
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how.
1. Women in Uganda and other developing countries spend alot of time looking for fuel wood and have less time for other economic activities and time to explore and experiment with new technologies.Approximately 3 hours are used to prepare gas needed per day compared to day long trecks to the wild looking for fuel wood.
2.Since this technology is beneficial to all gender; to the men, the residue is good for agriculture while to the woman it provides clean and convinient energy at their door step hence both men and women have equal control over this technology
3.The design of the biogas plants will be in such a way that it uses locally available materials for construction, production of biogas; providing employment by using their labour in construction and provision of materials for pilot projects
4.Training of women in building and maintenance of the biogas plants,waste handling and collection, rain water harvesting. Also bringing the technology closer to them (door steps)gives most women an opportunity to access the service (biogas).
Does your project involve women in one or more of the following stages of the technology lifecycle? Identification of the problem the technology will solve:
Technology design, Market research, Technology introduction, Technology training, Technology supply and distribution, Creation and maintenance of market linkages for women's economic outputs, Assessment and evaluation.
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how you will ensure women’s involvement in each relevant phase of the technology lifecycle.
1.Involving women to come up with designs that use locally available materials, cheap rain harvesting techniques, waste handling and collection at household level
2.Women can be used in actual data collection especially to get information from fellow women about likelihood to get involved in the project
3.Introducing the technology to existing women groups so they can in turn introduce it to othe women. Subsidising the cost of some equipment will help women adopt the technology faster
4.Training women groups in design, construction and maintenance of biogas plants for sustainability and also for job creation
5.Women groups will be encouraged to supply/construct and "sale" biogas plants to different households
6.Periodic training/retraining should help keep the women(users and suppliers)up to date with the technology.Use of exchange visits would help women learn from experiences learnt from women in different societies and cultures.Use of other technologies like ICT(internet) would help connect with NGOs and other people who would like to hear of success stories and adopt and buy the technology
7.Both men and women will be involved in evaluationa and assessment of the progress and success of the technology.They will be involved in design,data collection and analysis
If women are a focus of your project, how did this focus evolve?
The project was adapted to focus on women as a response to this challenge..
Which type of women will your project reach directly?
Rural, Peri-urban, a Faible revenu, Revenu moyen.
In what ways does your project team/leadership involve women?
It is led by a woman/women., It is led by a woman/women from a developing country..
Has your organization formed any new partnerships in response to this challenge? If so, with what type/s of organization/s?
Aucun.
Has your project leadership had prior experience with the following?
Working on innovation.
Created on 04/3/2010 by catearnold
BLS Youth CAN students are leading the way towards green change in Massachusetts with their Education for Sustainability Campaign, EfS curriculum pilot, and shared sustainable roofscape with community learning center. The plan will provide the tools for integrating sustainability curriculum, and a hands on learning environment in which to engage students in the big ideas of sustainability.
Organisation: Boston Latin School Youth Climate Action Network
Visit websiteplus ↓↑ cacher↑ cacherNom
Boston Latin School Youth Climate Action Network
Votre organisation est-elle une
Pas inscrit
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
The Oldest School, The Newest Thinking: Educating for Sustainability with Boston Latin School Youth Climate Action Network
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
BLS Youth CAN students are leading the way towards green change in Massachusetts with their Education for Sustainability Campaign, EfS curriculum pilot, and shared sustainable roofscape with community learning center. The plan will provide the tools for integrating sustainability curriculum, and a hands on learning environment in which to engage students in the big ideas of sustainability.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
Students are leading the way on education for sustainability innovations with their building and curriculum. Youth CAN students launched the Massachusetts Education for Sustainability (EfS) Campaign aimed at developing an interdisciplinary body of curriculum that will simultaneously promote core content, while incorporating an emphasis on the big ideas of sustainability. The 7-12 curriculum will be piloted at BLS in 2010, and district-wide by 2012. The goal is to encourage educators to highlight the big ideas of sustainability (interconnectedness, interdependence, systems thinking, equity, etc.) as a set of overarching themes according to which the lessons can be organized and understood. Curriculum will be developed for the EfS pilot at a week-long Summer Institute for educators in July 2010. The Sustainable Roofscape, designed by Youth CAN students in partnership with Studio G Architects is a Whitman’s sampler of green roof features allowing students to collect and consider comparative data as a means of engaging with the big ideas of sustainability. Streaming data sets from the roofscape will be available online, and the roofscape will have an external elevator to encourage field trips by offsite schools. Online lessons from the EfS curriculum pilot will link to roofscape features for use in classrooms on or offsite. Webcams will allow offsite schools to “revisit” the roofscape online. Youth partnerships will ensure that roofscape, curricular materials, and rooftop data sets are shared.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Non
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherThis Entry is about (Issues)
What impact have you had?
3 years ago BLS Youth CAN founded a network (Youth CAN) that now has 18 member groups at schools in Massachusetts. The group also hosts an annual Global Climate Change Summit for 300+ youth and educators at MIT every spring. Youth CAN students have initiated sweeping changes to their school’s operations, facilities, physical plant, and curriculum in order to make it more sustainable. But more importantly, all of it is designed to be shared and replicated. They got benchmarked through NSTAR, got an energy audit, and will post all energy modifications. Students pursued solar panels in the Massachusetts Energy Consumer’s Alliance Solar Challenge but were unsuccessful, but then successfully pushed for the panels from the City of Boston. A 28 PV array was installed on the BLS Roof in March 2010. Youth CAN’s application to become an NSTAR benchmarked school was approved, yielding an energy audit. Post audit, we shut off vending machine lights for 30% energy savings worth $2000 a year. We cut cafeteria lights during off hours for huge savings. Students met multiple times with Energy Auditors to develop an energy strategy for BLS based on audit recommendations. Students are also seeking an energy model which would give a more comprehensive picture of our energy use and potential savings. The Education for Sustainability Campaign & Green Roof initiatives have already mobilized my student, their adult supporters, and youth at other schools to collaborate for change in exciting new ways in support of the EfS and Roofscape initiative.
Problème
Youth CAN students understand that the vision of the future held by young people contributes significantly to the future society that we enact. That’s why it matters so much what young people imagine for the world, and why Youth CAN is insisting that today’s youth become educated about sustainability. Global climate change is a problem that will impact humans in every way imaginable, changing our way of life at the most fundamental levels, bringing dramatic shifts in the availability of natural resources, economic stability, public health, as well as shifts in technology and the job market. To adequately meet the challenges and to have the understandings necessary to envision a shared future on a planet with natural limits, students will need to develop a knowledge base about the environment, economy, and society, and learn the skills and perspectives that can guide them to live in a sustainable manner.
Actions
Students have reached out to both adults and community youth groups to establish partnerships tp ensure the success of the project. Students presented the project to the Mayor's and Boston Public Schools Facilities staffs as well as to school and parent site councils and Alumni Association. Students formed steering and faculty committees, and adult coalitions to consult on the curricular, strategic development and phasing of the project. A local architect is working with students. Faculty have been enlisted to develop sustainability curriculum. Students won competitions and grants in support of the project, and have created promotional videos. Students presented to the Secretary of Energy and Environment's Educational Advisory Board about the Education for Sustainability Campaign. There is broad support for the project. One funder has committed a $200,000.00 challenge grant. There are a core group of adult volunteers advising on fundraising and funding strategies. A grant search yeilded a list of potential funding sources. A budget & MOUs were drafted for city & school department support through the next phases of development. A BLS Youth CAN Advisory Board was formed.
Results
4 Major Areas of Focus:
- Greener Campuses - BLS Energy Model & Modifications & Online Sharing
- Greener Thinking – Ed. for Sustainability Campaign & Summit
- Sustainable Impact – Providing Hands-On Inquiry-Based Learning Opportunities Via Shared Roofscape & Data Sets
- Youth Leadership, Empowerment & Engagement - Youth Climate Action Network & Community Partnerships
1. Achieve resources for project development, management, infrastructure & funding of project
2. Build Roofscape
3. Share Data Sets
4. Implement Ed. for Sustainability Curriculum
5. Replicate Efforts Via Online Documentation
6. Maintain Youth Partnerships & Implementation Structures (eg. School-based Green Curriculum Groups, & Tool Kits for Engaging Faculty & Administrators in the Use of EfS Curriculum) to Ensure Roofscape Site-Visits & Accessing of all Online Resources
7. Promote Greening Efforts & Green Action Plans @ Schools Across Massachusetts Via Youth Climate Network & Partnerships
What will it take for your project to be successful over the next three years? Please address each year separately, if possible.
Youth CAN and our supporters are committed to realizing the project. In-kind pro-bono donations from the architect alone are currently upwards of $40K. Similar gifts of from volunteer parents with budget and grant writing expertise make the in-kind donations double that amount to date. For success, we will need additional funding for bricks and mortar costs, project management, curriculum development, and soft costs related to the project. Students are doing their part, raising $11,000.00 selling trays for the roof, and selling $8,000.00 worth of T-shirts. They won the Student Conservation Association Green School Competition and the NWF Chill Out Competition. They are competing in the Do Something Increase Your Green Competition, were chosen as a top five finalist in the Green Heroes Contest, and applied for an Alliance for Climate Education Grant. National Grid Foundation is also supporting the project. Here are the High-level activities or milestones necessary to complete the project:
Year One: 2010-2011
Fundraising - (24 Months) 2/10/2010
Community Youth Partnerships (36 Months) 2/10/2010
Implementing Audit Recommendations (24 Months) 2/10/2010
Conducting Energy Model for BLS (3 Weeks) 6/1/2010
Schematic Design & Due Diligence (2 Months) 6/03/2010
Implementation of Baseline Survey of Use/Performance- for comparison post EfS curriculum (3 days) 6/15/10
Construction Docs (2 Months) 6/15/2010
Action Plan for Energy Model Modifications (6 Months) 9/1/2010
Summer Institute Curriculum (5 Days) 7/19/2010
Documentation, Assessment of EfS Curriculum Implementation at BLS (10 Months) 9/6/2010
Long-term Energy Modifications & Building Retro-fit (36 Months ) 3//1/2011
Roofscape Construction - Elevator, Outdoor Classrooms, Fencing (2 Months) 6/30/2011
Year Two: 2011-2012
Documentation, Assessment of EfS Curriculum Implementation at Additional BPS Sites (10 Months) 9/5/2011
Roofscape Construction – Greenhouse (2 Months) 6/30/2012
Year Three: 2012-2013
Documentation, Assessment of EfS Curriculum Implementation District Wide (10 Months) 9/5/2012
Roofscape PVs, Turbines, Extensive/Intensive Vegetation (2 Months) 6/30/2013
What would prevent your project from being a success?
The only thing that might prevent this project from being successful would be lack of funding, and that won't occur because there is now an incredibly motivated, organized, talented coalition of volunteer youth and adults working to realize the project. We have the support of the school, school department, and city. That being said, it is nevertheless the essence of a grassroots initiative, literally being led by high school students with the support of an 8th grade history teacher/faculty advisor for the group. While the school administration supports the project, it is not their initiative. The project is being led by Youth CAN. The formidable phalanx of adult volunteers who are helping have been drawn in by the students and the sheer power and potential of their proposal. If the current funding climate results in a scaled back willingness on the part of funders to participate in large-scale cutting edge initiatives, it could certainly slow these students down. However the project will still ultimately be successful. The excitement and enthusiasm and determination on the part of students, now backed by a diverse coalition of additional stakeholders is too strong, the ideas and strategy too well developed, the support too substantial for the project to ultimately be unsuccessful. Clearly this is an ambitious project. However, the question has never been whether or not it will succeed, but rather how it will succeed. How it will be supported and financed in a time of economic difficulty, and how funding sources who are perhaps more limited in their ability to give will become persuaded that this is precisely the sort of project that should be funded above all others because of it's potential to dramatically shift education in the needed direction. The issue really comes down to which funders will recognize the potential and decide to become part of this visionary initiative and model for what education for sustainability and youth leadership can be.
How many people will your project serve annually?
1001‐10,000
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Don't know
Does your project seek to have an impact on public policy?
Oui
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherA quel étape votre projet en est-il ?
En place depuis moins d'un an
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Oui
If yes, provide organization name.
Boston Latin School Youth Climate Action Network - an after school club at Boston Latin School
How long has this organization been operating?
1‐5 années
Does your organization have a Board of Directors or an Advisory Board?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Non
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with businesses?
Oui
Does your organization have any non-monetary partnerships with government?
Oui
Please tell us more about how these partnerships are critical to the success of your innovation.
Multiple partnerships within the community ensure project success. A Food Project partnership will form a roofscape market-garden camp. A Fenway student coalition partnership promotes a green roof enclave in Boston. Teen organization partnerships will generate: EfS Faculty Engagement Tool-Kits; school-based, student EfS advocacy teams; & a model for incorporating roofscape data sets. An MIT Technology & Culture Forum partnership provides a venue for the annual summit. A National Grid Foundation partnership provides summit, Efs, & Roofscape funding. A National Wildlife Federation partnership funded teen-led action grants to promote youth network growth & the NWF/NASA pilot will enable climate curriculum development with specialists at Goddard. A Studio G Architects partnership supports roofscape development. An Alliance for Climate Education partnership promotes the youth network & climate awareness. A GOAL Network partnership piloted matching youth to green business internships. Mayor Menino’s Climate Action Leadership Committee includes a BLS Youth CAN member. City Councilor John Connolly, & Jim Hunt, the Mayor’s Energy Chief are on Youth CAN’s Advisory Board.
What are the three most important actions needed to grow your initiative or organization?
The three most important actions to complete the project are 1.) Securing funding to establish project management for the project, as well as for project construction, and soft costs associated with the project; 2.) roofscape construction; and 3.) development, implementation and documentation of the education for sustainability curriculum.
Securing Funding - Fundraising is taking place on multiple fronts with the support and volunteer time from Boston Latin School parents who do fundraising and grant writing professionally. The project has been phased such that specific elements of the project can be presented to potential funders who have a particular interest in supporting that aspect of the project. Funding for separate project managers for both the Education for Sustainability Campaign and the Sustainable Roofscape (that will provide for important coordination between these large initiatives) is being sought.
Roofscape Construction – the target date for beginning the first phase of roofscape construction is the summer of 2011. Fundraising is underway to allow Studio-G Architects and Sousa True Engineers to complete the due diligence and building documents that will enable construction to begin on time.
Development and Implementation - development of the education component is already underway with a teacher institute slated to develop curriculum for an education for sustainability pilot during the week of July 19, through July 23 2010. Protocols are in place for implementing and documenting the curriculum pilot at Boston Latin School in the fall of 2010.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
The green roof initiative was an outgrowth of Youth CAN students bringing an energy audit to the school, and their subsequent discussions about reducing the school’s carbon footprint in a way that could provide engaging learning opportunities. Students were granted permission by the city to explore the possibility of putting a green roof on the building. The facilities folks recommended finding an architect who could do some preliminary drawings pro bono. Since I teach an architecture project, I contacted all the architect parent judges for our 8th grade architecture competitions over the years asking if any would be interested in helping out. Three responded and submitted proposals and the students chose Gail Sullivan of Studio G Architects. The students’ work with Gail has been nothing short of amazing. The design is far-reaching and innovative, and was extremely exciting for Youth CAN students to develop and now promote. With the education for sustainability campaign, the defining moment came in the form of a suggestion from a Boston City Councilor speaking on a climate panel that Youth CAN arranged for the 2007 National Teach-In on global climate change solutions (then called Focus the Nation). Sam Yoon suggested that we work on pushing the state to integrate environmental literacy curriculum. Students thought it was a great idea and began to reach out to adults and educators to form a coalition that could advise them. The eventual initiative that emerged, the Massachusetts Education for Sustainability Campaign, is the result of countless meetings and discussions reflecting Youth CAN’s desire to make a lasting difference in learning beyond adding just an environmental unit or class. The sustainable roofscape and EfS curriculum pilot in combination pair an incredible setting for hands on, inquiry-based learning with standards based curriculum integrating an emphasis on the big ideas of sustainability across disciplines.
Tell us about the social innovator behind this idea.
BLS Youth CAN got it’s start when I showed my 8th grade US History students at Boston Latin School An Inconvenient Truth and they generated a 3-page list of immediate actions they wanted to take, one of which was starting a climate change club. They asked me to be their faculty advisor and I agreed, having long wanted to incorporate some sort of meaningful service learning into my teaching. At the first Youth CAN meeting on January 23, 2007, more than 90 students showed up from across multiple grade levels. I was astonished, overwhelmed, and instantly hooked. I couldn’t believe that so many young people wanted to take action. It has been my absolute privilege to be the BLS Youth CAN faculty advisor. I could not have imagined how much the students could accomplish in such a short amount of time. It continues to be thrilling for me to have the opportunity to be around students who are so empowered and so willing to work for the change they believe in. Their willingness to work endless long hours, and their commitment to bringing about change has gotten stronger and stronger, and their vision for what that change looks like broader and more fully developed. For me, it has been more work than I could have ever possibly imagined, and I wouldn’t trade a second of it. It has offered the ride of a lifetime to be working with these wonderful, motivated students. They are fun, funny, creative and brilliant. It has been an incredible and daily energizing experience to see Youth CAN’s efforts be rewarded and to see the students come into their own and come to believe they can make a real difference in the world. It’s all I could hope for and more. I am very proud of what Youth CAN has accomplished. It is grassroots organizing at it's very finest and most successful. I am 51 years old, and somewhat of a late bloomer, so for me it has been very gratifying to advise the students and now work with all the volunteer adults the students have drawn into the project because of it's scope and potential.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another, please provide the name of the organization or company
Nairobi Kenya
1° 16' 59.9988" S, 36° 49' 0.0012" E
Solar Powered Lamps help poor villagers to stop relying on expensive kerosene for lighting, and thus help in reduce climate change, allow children to study more easily, reduce respiratory diseases, and reduce risk of fires.
7.5 million Kenyans live in extreme poverty. We design and make the Lanterns and distribute them to poor house holds in rural areas.
The metal frame of the Lantern is made from scrap metals. We use Solar modules which are recycled from thrown away solar pieces by manufacturing companies, hence reducing pollution.
Created on 04/1/2010 by asiegs
Community energy, environment, and sustainability groups are becoming increasingly active. They have a lot of enthusiasm and potential for change, but are not reaching their full potential because they work in isolation of each other. An online tool to foster the sharing of best practices, ideas, learning's, data, etc can drastically enhance and enable these community groups' activities.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherName Your Project
CleanTowns - Catalyzing community collaborations
Country and state your work focuses on
Describe Your Idea
Community energy, environment, and sustainability groups are becoming increasingly active. They have a lot of enthusiasm and potential for change, but are not reaching their full potential because they work in isolation of each other. An online tool to foster the sharing of best practices, ideas, learning's, data, etc can drastically enhance and enable these community groups' activities.
lire plus↓↑ cacher↑ cacherWhat makes your idea unique?
The Problem
Each of these “community sustainability groups” are at different stages in their maturation and are constantly s
