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 225 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

Fiji's Climate Champion Speaks Up for Women in the Wake of Cyclones

Sonia Narang

August 08, 2017 |

News Deeply |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Fiji, Burenitu, Viti Levu

After a huge cyclone devastated a remote Fijian village, Eta Tuvuki worked to open communication channels between women and public officials. Her efforts are not only making women's voices heard, but they allow for the dispersal of critical information during disasters.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Keeping Technology Affordable - Kwasi Twum-Ampofo leads the way

Hadiza Nuhhu-Billa Quansah

July 17, 2017 |

Graphic Online |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Ghana, Accra

Frustrated with poor network service and high costs, many Ghanians have had to tote multiple cheap mobile phones around to conduct business and communications normally. One entrepreneur, Kwasi Twum-Ampofo, decided to develop his own improved brand of smartphone, which is usable both domestically and abroad. Not only does Twum-Ampofo’s smartphone boast superior network access, but also—according to most Ghanians— comes at an affordable price.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Creating a Better Community Through Text Messages

Krutika Pathi

June 14, 2017 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

For urban residents, participation in city-planning often means navigating complex administrative bureaucracy and struggling through a lack of transparency, but in New York City, efforts are being made to engage citizens in the renewal (and preservation) of Brownsville, Brooklyn. The city’s Housing Department has worked with the online platform coUrbanize to facilitate community-sourced ideas for the future via text. These residents’ responses are then inputted into a publicly-accessible map, which the city has pledged to incorporate into its planning -- a commendable effort at civic participation, local control, and transparency in government.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Cloud 311 Popularity Grows as Cities of All Sizes Move to Remotely Hosted CRM

Tod Newcombe

June 01, 2017 |

Government Technology |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Traditional 311 operations can be costly to maintain, so the city of Sacramento implemented cloud CRM in order to cut costs and increase flexibility of operations. While there is still room to expand what is offered, this cloud-based solution does offer the "ability to set up and launch 311 quickly, without the need for IT staff to maintain the servers and networks."

Read More
Go to Original Story
The Future of CRM and Customer Service: Look to Boston

Tod Newcombe

June 01, 2017 |

Government Technology |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

To better serve the Boston community, the city launched a mobile app to address gaps in traditional 311 hotline calls. Now, "nearly 60 percent of service requests come via digital channels" and city officials are better able to "track the city’s performance against a benchmark service-level agreement."

Read More
Go to Original Story
How 3 Cities Are Using an App Designed to Help Them Collaborate

Johnny Magdaleno

May 22, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Cities are often alone in trying to develop solutions to their problems. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago developed an app— "The Peer Cities Identification Tool"— that matches similar U.S. cities and encourages discussion about challenges and successes.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Library hotspots can help those in internet deserts

Noah Jones

May 12, 2017 |

Richland Source |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Mansfield, Ohio

Rural areas struggle to have internet, which can be a problem for everyone including students. Mansfield/ Richland County Public Libraries have started lending out hot spots, which has been very successful and useful for residents.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Getting Help in Emergencies in Super-Quick Time

Gemma Newby Sahar Zand

May 09, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Dominican Republic, Guayubín, Monte Cristi

Jason Friesen, an American paramedic who had served in Haiti after the earthquake, realized that many poor communities in the Caribbean were lacking the equivalent of the United States’ 911 emergency medical services, and were facing increased death tolls as a consequence. But in noting these communities’ possession [and use] of mobile phones, Friesen realized he could help such communities set up emergency response systems through the use of volunteers and a simple text message exchange. Now, his organization—Trek Medics—simplifies and democratizes the emergency dispatch system, and, as a result, saves numerous lives in rural communities.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Kenya, Phones Replace Bank Tellers

Tina Rosenberg

May 09, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Kenya

Building on the widespread use of mobile phones in Kenya, applications have been developed to provide people with financial services. Through these applications people can securely receive money, save money, and make payments increasing their fiscal stability and their ability to access assistance when adverse events happen. The applications also create a record of financial transactions resulting in people being able to establish credit, receive loans, and access pay-as-you-go programs.

Read More
Go to Original Story
How a Cooperative in Indonesia is Bridging the Digital Divide

Nithin Coca

May 04, 2017 |

Shareable |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Indonesia, Jakarta

Indonesia has a quickly growing digital market, yet there is a large proportion of the population that does not have digital access and those who do have access are all buying from businesses outside the country. Koperasi Digital Indonesia Mandiri is an Indonesian cooperative that has developed lower cost smartphones to help reach the underserved population.

Read More
Go to Original Story