Story Search Results

Advanced Search

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

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 631 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

How Outreach and Deep Canvassing Can Change Rural Politics

Amanda Abrams

November 22, 2021 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, North Carolina

Down Home North Carolina is a nonpartisan get-out-the-vote group that practices “deep canvassing” in rural areas to increase voter participation and elect progressive candidates. The technique involves one-on-one conversations that aim to connect on an emotional level, as a way to find common ground, and involves active listening to people and their concerns. Canvassers go door-to-door, and conduct outreach in public areas like Walmart and food banks, (though COVID-19 moved conversations to the phone) and particularly aim to connect with people who haven’t been engaged in the political process before.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Queering Climate Activism

Hannah Steinkopf-Frank

November 19, 2021 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Queer activists and organizers are centering their identity in the environmental justice movement. They form part of a growing movement that doesn't exclude their queer identity in the fight against climate change. Some examples of this work include "Queer Nature," a community where queer people can reconnect with nature. Another example is the "Queer Ecojustice Project," which addresses how queer perspectives were ignored by the environmental movement. This article presents several other examples of the intersection of queer identity with the environmental movement.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Armed with pamphlets: the battle to register women voters in Libya

Hendia Alashepy

October 29, 2021 |

The National |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Libya

Libya’s Electoral Outreach Ambassadors program aims to increase women’s trust in the political process and register new voters. The female ambassadors are experienced in civil society participation but are not affiliated with any political or religious group, which is key to building trust given the country’s recent civil war. Ambassadors are trained in many tactics and left to tailor their own strategy so that it is best suited for their own district. Outreach efforts include a combination of house visits, workshops in private and public institutions, and talks with women in public spaces.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Building a just energy business future in Detroit

Nina Ignaczak

October 27, 2021 |

Planet Detroit |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

WeSolar makes solar power accessible to low-income residents by building and investing in community-solar farms and signing residents up for credits from investor-owned utilities. The startup, the first community solar business led by a Black woman, saves customers as much as $250 on their utility bills by signing up for community solar. Convincing residents, many of whom have had bad experiences with predatory utility schemes, requires working with church and community groups to earn trust. Community solar also requires legislation that allows for shared renewable energy projects.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Electric school bus helps Latina moms combat air pollution

Prince James Story

October 26, 2021 |

Cronkite News - Arizona PBS |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Phoenix, Arizona

There are about 480,000 school buses in the country, less than one percent of them are electric. Replacing diesel school buses with electric ones would reduce greenhouse emissions by 5.3 million tons a year, it would also be better for students lungs. More than 4 in 10 people in the country live in neighborhoods with unhealthy air. In Arizona, a group of mom's organized and were able to convince the school board to purchase and electric bus. Then, they garnered votes to help pass a bond to purchase the bus.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Sanitation solutions: How giving people trash bins made Baltimore cleaner

Meir Rinde

October 20, 2021 |

WHYY |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore’s green bin program shows there are relatively simple steps cities can take to tangibly improve the cleanliness of neighborhoods. The solution is also working in Philadelphia, through which people who live in the city are lidded trash cans and bins to store their garbage.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In the San Luis Valley, a small town is using civic engagement to improve lives

Helen Santoro

October 12, 2021 |

The Colorado Sun |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Saguache, Colorado

The Family Leadership Training Institute of Colorado is a community-driven collaborative aimed at increasing civic participation and collaboration between diverse stakeholders. The 20-week program focuses on cultivating leadership skills and teaching participants how to use their voice to advocate in their community's interests. Participants are able to develop a plan for civic engagement and receive help instituting it, including connections among government agencies. Program graduates have designed programming to strengthen their communities and started businesses with social goals.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Undocumented Workers Who Power New York's Economy Finally Get Pandemic Aid

Amy Yee

September 23, 2021 |

Bloomberg |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Thousands of undocumented immigrants who lost their jobs during the pandemic can now receive aid through New York's Excluded Workers Fund. The $2.1 billion fund is the largest of its kind and the result of 18 months of lobbying, protests, and campaigning by community groups. Approved applicants can qualify for $15,600 or $3,200, depending on their ability to prove New York residence, previous employment, and lost income. Applications and fund information is made available in 13 languages and partnerships with grassroots organizations has been critical to reaching people who are eligible to apply.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How to integrate community leaders into pandemic preparedness

Catherine Cheney

September 01, 2021 |

Devex |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India

Community-based organizations have been key to reaching historically marginalized populations with COVID-19 information. Grassroots leaders and community workers are effective because they have built trust among communities over many years and they have first-hand knowledge of community needs and barriers. The pandemic shifted the priorities of many organizations. For example, the Self Employed Women’s Association now supplies members with PPE kits, food, and handmade masks to address the pandemic’s health and economic impacts. Proper mask usage increased significantly in the villages where they are based.

Read More
Go to Original Story
FDA Vaccine Approval, Mandates Persuade New York City Holdouts

Amy Yee

August 28, 2021 |

Bloomberg |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Community groups in under-vaccinated areas helped tens of thousands of people get vaccinated, made slightly easier since the FDA approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and more employers requiring it. Nonprofits like the Bronx Rising Initiative, Vision Urbana, and Union Settlement are trusted messengers that have a long-standing presence in their communities. They understand their communities' needs and speak their language - both literally and figuratively. The groups conducted door-to-door educational outreach, signed people up for appointments and held community events where people could get the vaccine.

Read More
Go to Original Story