Blog
Hop on a ride to discover the journeys of social entrepreneurs, innovators and those working to improve living conditions for underserved communities.
Catch their stories and news about unique technology & business ideas that are empowering people in developing regions across the world.
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Article about a project
Preparando una taza sostenible con Café Compadre
Hay motivos para que Cristóbal Olórtegui, un caficultor de la comunidad Sauriaki en Perú, sonría al recoger los frutos de su cosecha, limpiándose el bigote de espuma de café al tomar un sorbo. Durante 43 años ha estado vendiendo granos de café crudo por 2,50 dólares por kilogramo (kg), pero ahora gana 4,3 dólares por […]
Brewing a Sustainable Cuppa with Café Compadre
There’s a reason for Cristobal Olórtegui a coffee farmer from the Sauriaki community in Peru to smile as he reaps the fruits of his labour – wiping the coffee foam moustache as he takes a sip. For 43 years he has been selling raw coffee beans for US $ 2.50 per/ kilogram (kg) but now […]
Interview: How we learned to speak “social finance”
How does a social enterprise embark on the trip to raise growth capital? How do you effectively communicate with potential impact investors? What are the main challenges on your track to success? Felix Benjamin Schäfer of Bürgerwerke eG – a German cooperative for independent, regional providers of renewable energy – has mastered this thrilling journey. […]
The Fabulous Fish Farm – a project by Alan Fleming
A fish farm in a container set to transform South Africa’s aquaculture industry? Sounds crazy. But there is one in a township doing just this. And it can be run on solar energy. This is Alan Fleming’s vision and what he’s been working on for the last five years – step by step. Townships are […]
OneDollarGlasses in Burkina Faso
The OneDollarGlasses e.V. association was the first prize winner of the “empowering people. Award” by the Siemens Stiftung in 2013. In the same year, ODG launched its first activities in Burkina Faso with the aim of providing as many ametropic people as possible with affordable glasses. With the help of the new glasses, it is […]
TRIEX – a story of sustainable entrepreneurship
The TRIEX Gestión de Residuos project, launched in 2001, was the result of an initiative by chemists Ana and Ruben, who were concerned about the lack of proper hazardous waste management in Uruguay. The personal experiences of Ruben in the sales field and Ana in the pharmaceutical industry triggered their interest in providing a solution […]
Thinking outside the (service) box…
In 2012/13, Henri Nyakarundi won an empowering people. Award with his innovation the “Mobile Solar Kiosk ” (MSK). At the time, the MSK primarily offered a mobile charging point, which could be attached to bicycles and mopeds. The micro solution was used to quickly charge cell phones for people on the go, using renewable energy […]
“Diversity is the key…”
We talked to Silvana Bonnet, Communication Manager of Canales Asociación Civil, one of the winners of the empowering people. Award. The winning solution Videobooks in Sign Language enables deaf children access to literature and reading. The videos, created by Canales Asociación Civil, combine children’s books and young adult literature read in sign language, with voice-overs […]
Sierra Productiva: Small innovations breaking big ground – by Julia Wachsmann
Take these tiny innovations and picture the change they signify for the life of a small-scale farmer – Amazing! Now picture that they become available for a whole country – I feel something groundbreaking is about to develop!