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| Grassroot-level innovations may hold the key to global challenges | Grassroot-level innovations may hold the key to global challenges |
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| Low tech, grassroot-level innovations may hold the key to overcoming some of the resource challenges we face today; and we might be missing them. The solutions below are some exceptional examples of grassroots level innovations. The question is – how many other potential world changing solutions have remained in obscurity at source, never replicating sufficiently to make a significant change? | Low tech, grassroot-level innovations may hold the key to overcoming some of the resource challenges we face today; and we might be missing them. The solutions below are some exceptional examples of grassroots level innovations. The question is – how many other potential world changing solutions have remained in obscurity at source, never replicating sufficiently to make a significant change? |
| Combating climate change, water and food security in arid regions | Combating climate change, water and food security in arid regions |
| A single farmer in Burkina Faso started an agricultural revolution in the semi-desert area where he lives, which has spread to other parts of Burkina Faso and into neighbouring countries. The 'tree farming' approach he championed (by personally travelling to around 100 other villages by motorbike) has re-greened millions of acres in the dry Sahel region; enough so that the effects can be seen from outer space. The innovation: pits which were dug to concentrate rainfall onto crop roots were made larger, and manure was added to them during the dry season. Tree seeds in the manure sprouted with the crops and these tree saplings increased soil fertility, shielded crops from overwhelming heat, and acted as windbreaks. At the macro level, areas with trees are more efficient for water harvesting than areas without. Water tables in the areas with tree farming have risen since the method gained popularity, despite a growing population. | A single farmer in Burkina Faso started an agricultural revolution in the semi-desert area where he lives, which has spread to other parts of Burkina Faso and into neighbouring countries. The 'tree farming' approach he championed (by personally travelling to around 100 other villages by motorbike) has re-greened millions of acres in the dry Sahel region; enough so that the effects can be seen from outer space. The innovation: pits which were dug to concentrate rainfall onto crop roots were made larger, and manure was added to them during the dry season. Tree seeds in the manure sprouted with the crops and these tree saplings increased soil fertility, shielded crops from overwhelming heat, and acted as windbreaks. At the macro level, areas with trees are more efficient for water harvesting than areas without. Water tables in the areas with tree farming have risen since the method gained popularity, despite a growing population. |
| System of rice intensification: increasing crop yields while reducing water demand and chemical usage. | System of rice intensification: increasing crop yields while reducing water demand and chemical usage. |
| In a recent article, another agricultural approach was explored in depth: the system of rice intensification (SRI). Through applying zero cost techniques to rice farming, small scale rice farmers have increased their crop yields by anywhere from 30-50% while reducing water and chemical usage. What must be noted is that this solution has been around for 30 years. SRI is credited to Henri de Laulanie, who came across the methodology while working with farmers in Madagascar in 1983. He set up an NGO to promote SRI. It was taken up by Norman Uphoff at the Cornell Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development and advocated for post 1998, and soon other countries started adopting the method. SRI is now estimated to be used by 4-5 million farmers worldwide. | In a recent article, another agricultural approach was explored in depth: the system of rice intensification (SRI). Through applying zero cost techniques to rice farming, small scale rice farmers have increased their crop yields by anywhere from 30-50% while reducing water and chemical usage. What must be noted is that this solution has been around for 30 years. SRI is credited to Henri de Laulanie, who came across the methodology while working with farmers in Madagascar in 1983. He set up an NGO to promote SRI. It was taken up by Norman Uphoff at the Cornell Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development and advocated for post 1998, and soon other countries started adopting the method. SRI is now estimated to be used by 4-5 million farmers worldwide. |
| These examples are a small sample of grassroots solutions. Consider the idea of using a plastic water bottle as a light bulb in slums without power as another inspirational example of bottom up innovation. The question then, is how to ensure that these solutions are discovered and disseminated, rather than remaining localised in the areas they are conceived. Fortunately, there are both private and charitable organisations actively improving the chances of ideas spreading. | These examples are a small sample of grassroots solutions. Consider the idea of using a plastic water bottle as a light bulb in slums without power as another inspirational example of bottom up innovation. The question then, is how to ensure that these solutions are discovered and disseminated, rather than remaining localised in the areas they are conceived. Fortunately, there are both private and charitable organisations actively improving the chances of ideas spreading. |
| Approach 1: the charity model | Approach 1: the charity model |
| Working with media partners in poverty stricken countries, Sawa World trains unemployed or vulnerable youth to be reporters in their communities. This training provides the youth with a living wage, and reporters are tasked with reporting on solutions to poverty found within their own communities. These solutions are then shared through media channels such as radio or TV. In 2012, Sawa youths produced 94 videos on local solutions to extreme poverty. The organisation also provides 'Sawa leaders' (solution innovators), with support to communicate their solutions further afield, leading to far better exposure of effective innovations. In the past five years, Sawa World has supported 30 Sawa leaders in 11 of the world's poorest countries. | Working with media partners in poverty stricken countries, Sawa World trains unemployed or vulnerable youth to be reporters in their communities. This training provides the youth with a living wage, and reporters are tasked with reporting on solutions to poverty found within their own communities. These solutions are then shared through media channels such as radio or TV. In 2012, Sawa youths produced 94 videos on local solutions to extreme poverty. The organisation also provides 'Sawa leaders' (solution innovators), with support to communicate their solutions further afield, leading to far better exposure of effective innovations. In the past five years, Sawa World has supported 30 Sawa leaders in 11 of the world's poorest countries. |
| The clear focus of the model is appreciated. Their objectives and methods to effect change are unambiguous; but with a model that still relies on funding and charitable donations, the question remains as to whether Sawa World is, itself, scalable. | The clear focus of the model is appreciated. Their objectives and methods to effect change are unambiguous; but with a model that still relies on funding and charitable donations, the question remains as to whether Sawa World is, itself, scalable. |
| Approach 2: the commercial model | Approach 2: the commercial model |
| GSMA is an operator led trade association which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Through the GSMA development fund, GSMA has been involved in projects bringing ICT and communications to multiple unconnected communities. A study GSMA commissioned with Deloitte estimates that an increase of 10% in mobile penetration will increase the GDP growth rate in developing nations by up to 1.2%. | GSMA is an operator led trade association which represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide. Through the GSMA development fund, GSMA has been involved in projects bringing ICT and communications to multiple unconnected communities. A study GSMA commissioned with Deloitte estimates that an increase of 10% in mobile penetration will increase the GDP growth rate in developing nations by up to 1.2%. |
| In the millennium village case study in Mayange, Rwanda, Ericsson president in sub-Saharan Africa Jan Embro says: | In the millennium village case study in Mayange, Rwanda, Ericsson president in sub-Saharan Africa Jan Embro says: |
| "The integration of information and communications technology plays a critical role in ending the cycle of poverty, helping people share information and giving them the tools to improve their own social and economic situations." | "The integration of information and communications technology plays a critical role in ending the cycle of poverty, helping people share information and giving them the tools to improve their own social and economic situations." |
| The project focused on enabling entrepreneurs in the Mayange community to deliver communication and data services through community phones and computers. Entrepreneurs charge a fee to access the equipment, and in turn pay a co-operative to lease their equipment and lines. The entrepreneurs involved in the project increased their incomes by 20-22% while bringing greater connectivity to their communities. | The project focused on enabling entrepreneurs in the Mayange community to deliver communication and data services through community phones and computers. Entrepreneurs charge a fee to access the equipment, and in turn pay a co-operative to lease their equipment and lines. The entrepreneurs involved in the project increased their incomes by 20-22% while bringing greater connectivity to their communities. |
| While the GSMA model lacks the more direct focus of Sawa World on poverty solutions, it is assumed that connecting communities will allow for better dissemination of innovations. In another project with GSMA involvement, M-Kilimo in Kenya advised rural farmers on best practices through a phone-in service. This is one of many possible uses of mobile connectivity. GSMA focuses on the commercial sustainability of their projects, allowing projects to scale more easily than in a donation-based model. | While the GSMA model lacks the more direct focus of Sawa World on poverty solutions, it is assumed that connecting communities will allow for better dissemination of innovations. In another project with GSMA involvement, M-Kilimo in Kenya advised rural farmers on best practices through a phone-in service. This is one of many possible uses of mobile connectivity. GSMA focuses on the commercial sustainability of their projects, allowing projects to scale more easily than in a donation-based model. |
| The middle road: a role for social enterprise | The middle road: a role for social enterprise |
| Both of the above approaches have their advantages and limitations. But there may be a middle road: a social enterprise with a commercially viable business model that focuses directly on propagating effective solutions at grassroot level. | Both of the above approaches have their advantages and limitations. But there may be a middle road: a social enterprise with a commercially viable business model that focuses directly on propagating effective solutions at grassroot level. |
| Agustina Memoli, Paulina Polak, and Duncan Garde are 2012 On Purpose associates. On Purpose is a one-year leadership programme for professionals who want to move into a social enterprise career. | Agustina Memoli, Paulina Polak, and Duncan Garde are 2012 On Purpose associates. On Purpose is a one-year leadership programme for professionals who want to move into a social enterprise career. |
| This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To get more articles like this direct to your inbox, sign up free to become a member of the Global Development Professionals Network | This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To get more articles like this direct to your inbox, sign up free to become a member of the Global Development Professionals Network |
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