conversation starter

IDEO.org x TEDx

Ideo.org exists “to bring human-centered design to the humans who need it most — those facing poverty every day. [They’re] teaming up with nonprofits, social enterprises and foundations to innovate solutions to the world’s most dire poverty-related challenges. Imagine, a world without poverty.”

Recently, these folks developed TEDx to Go, “an inconspicuous and durable carry-on suitcase, with all TEDx in a Box components housed securely inside,” increasing the mobility of TEDx conferences, and bringing the capability to host them to areas with limited access to electricity.

I think it’s fantastic that IDEO.org is using their bright minds and cutting edge thoughts to tackle world problems, but I also think that there is a lot room to apply this approach towards social issues here in the states. What if we had similar bright minded, eclectic groups of people developing community centers that are actually embraced by communities or brainstorming solutions to everyday problems such as homelessness and various brands of abuse?

Causes.com

Causes.com takes a crowdsourcing approach towards activism and fundraising. It allows users to promote causes and collectively donate to nonprofits, NGOs and activism projects. It works on a few levels.

1. There’s an amazing sense of transparency in those who are promoting their causes on the site. The nonprofits involved communicate regularly to their donors and anyone interested in being one through posts on their cause’s page.

2. The financial goals of each organization are clearly stated. Anyone viewing the site knows exactly how much each organization is trying to raise, where they are currently at with their goal, and precisely what will be done with the money.

3. The community aspect encourages people to donate. People are creatures of influence. On each cause’s page one can see those who have donated and instantly join in a conversation with fellow donors.

Apolis Global Nepal Project

“Although Apolis is heavily inspired by philanthropy, we are a for-profit social enterprise wherein our customers act as benefactors, allowing Apolis to grow as a sustainable business instead of depending on fundraising for support. We have found this model of social business to be the most valuable and effective way to accomplish our ambitious long term goals of “advocacy through industry.” (source: www.apolisglobal.com)

In their Nepal Project Apolis trained 50 women to knit, resulting in 500 sweaters and 110 caps in only 60 days, all of which were sold in the company’s global retail spaces and online store. Much of the jobs given to these woman were previously inaccessible to them due to the caste system currently in place in Nepal. This project helps enrich their lives, feed their families, and grow their communities.

Catapult Design x Trade Without Borders

Catapult Design works with NGOs and Nonprofits to tackle their problems providing solutions routed in holistic approaches and “smart design.” They worked with Trade Without Borders to develop a solar powered mosquito trap to fight Malaria in areas with limited access to electricity. Malaria is a disease that takes 1 million lives each year. More than 3.3billion (half of the World’s population!) live in danger of Malaria.

Read more about Catapult and what they do at: http://catapultdesign.org/

The Green School

Built from bamboo, The Green School in Bali, Indonesia devotes a large part of its curriculum to sustainable living.

www.thegreenschool.org

Wieden WK+12

WK+12 is a graduate school-esque program that recruits 12 individuals from eclectic backgrounds each year. The twelve bunk it up, so to speak, in Wieden + Kennedy’s Portland office and for one year act as an advertising agency, developing advertising campaigns and marketing strategies exclusively for nonprofit organizations who would never have the budget to gain access to WK’s brilliance and resources otherwise. Last year’s clients included the Portland Children’s Museum and the Wordstock book festival. Follow their blog here.

Art, Activism, and the Brazilian Favela

“In Rio a pair of Dutch artists and a paint company have triggered a change in the urban landscape of Rio. The artists had an idea to change the living environment of the Favela as a means to try and change how residents and the city at large related with the slum. After the success of the first couple of projects the Coral paint company got on board and now the slum is becoming known for something other then its drug trade.” (source: www.urbanneighbourhood.com)