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Lake Malawi REFRESH Project

Lake Malawi Waters Undergo REFRESH Project Initiatives Malawi is a landlocked country that borders Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world with a population of 20.4 million and 70% living beneath the international poverty line. The nation relies on Lake Malawi and the support provided by the REFRESH project.

Lake Malawi is integral to the social, economic and environmental well-being of Malawi and its people. It proves to be an indispensable part of the country’s infrastructure, covering a total area of 22,490 square kilometers, employing more than 500,000 people and contributing 4% to the nation’s GDP.

The Lifeline of Malawi: Lake Malawi

Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest lake, is crucial for Malawi’s economy and ecology. As a landlocked country, local communities depend on the lake for drinking water, transportation, leisure, power generation, irrigation and notably, fishing.

The lake’s fish significantly contributes to the country’s nutrition and economy, supplying 70% of the animal protein intake. It supports the livelihoods of Malawi’s residents through both local consumption and exports to neighboring countries, making it a crucial economic resource.

Lake Malawi also serves as a vital trade route, facilitating the transportation of goods to neighboring countries. The trade activity positions Lake Malawi as a hub for expansive business networks, essential for the mass production and distribution of natural goods, benefiting not only Malawi but also its neighboring communities through robust trade partnerships.

Residents in the area benefit from job opportunities created by the businesses managing these goods, reinforcing a cycle of employment and food security. Lake Malawi’s wealth of natural resources not only sustains jobs but also underpins food security, laying a strong foundation for the local economy and community wellbeing. Its tributaries hold the key to renewable energy through hydroelectric power generation, diversifying the country’s energy sources. This sustainable energy supports the nation’s industries, homes and various sectors, further stabilizing the country’s economic and environmental landscape.  

Malawi Takes Advantage

Lake Malawi supports the livelihoods of 20.4 million Malawians, surrounding communities and more than 910,000 refugees from Mozambique. With a population growth rate of 3.3%, the lake’s resources are under strain and require restoration. While Lake Malawi is vital for the economy and job creation, Malawi’s low GDP per capita of $554.20 challenges the local population’s ability to sustain and enhance these benefits.

In addition, nationwide poverty significantly challenges individuals in making decisions crucial for the long-term sustainability of natural resources. This difficulty arises from their urgent short-term needs. In addition to the impact on local communities, large-scale commercial fishing operations also contribute to overfishing in Malawi.

Moreover, local reliance on Lake Malawi for sustenance has led individuals to fish in shallow areas, away from large commercial operations. In addition, this practice threatens fish breeding grounds as small-scale fishermen navigate these regions in canoes designed for shallow waters. The impact of these activities presents significant economic and environmental challenges for Malawi and neighboring countries relying on the lake’s resources.

REFRESH Project

The U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) REFRESH project, aimed at enhancing Lake Malawi’s fisheries management and conserving fish biodiversity, spans from October 2019 to September 2024. Recently, USAID provided the Malawian government with an advanced electronic catch assessment survey (eCAS) system and refurbished patrol boats, significantly boosting data collection and surveillance efforts.

The electronic catch system compromises smart tablets, desktop computers and servers which allows them to have an accurate analysis of catch data. This high technology gives Malawi the advantage of being able to estimate fisheries production and evaluate the sector’s economic and food security contributions. 

Additionally, USAID recently upgraded patrol boats for the Salima District Council with new engines to strengthen surveillance against overfishing, promoting adherence to fishing regulations and local laws. This effort aims to preserve the lake’s biodiversity. However, residents of fishing villages, who have depended on Lake Malawi for their livelihoods, sometimes struggle to see these restrictions as measures to sustain the lake’s benefits rather than to limit their use.

Furthermore, regular monitoring of Lake Malawi allows for the identification and education of those overfishing, aligning them with the goals of the REFRESH Project for the lake’s restoration. These efforts, supported by USAID through the provision of operational guidelines and scientific equipment, highlight a deep commitment to sustainable fishing practices and the protection of Malawi’s aquatic ecosystem.

Nurturing Sustainability

The USAID REFRESH project is pivotal for sustainable development in Malawi, particularly for Lake Malawi. It focuses on improving fisheries management, enhancing scientific knowledge and strengthening governance. Its approach not only preserves the lake’s natural environment but also supports the economic well-being of the people who depend on its resources.

The REFRESH project is actively engaging local stakeholders and promoting an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries management. This strategy is designed to ensure a brighter, more sustainable future, harmonizing the well-being of Malawi’s people with the sustainability of the iconic Lake Malawi.

– Tristen Jerkins

Tristen is based in Tampa, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project

Photo: Flickr

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Innovations For Poverty Action: The Ripple Effect

Innovations For Poverty Action: The Ripple Effect According to World Vision, around 1.2 billion people across the globe live in multidimentional poverty. Given the widespread nature of poverty, several organizations are making efforts to find solutions. Among such organizations is Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA). IPA is an organization that plays a significant role in the global effort against poverty by utilizing evidence-based research to identify effective alleviation strategies.

Evidence-Based Solutions

IPA, based in New York City and Washington D.C., operates in 20 countries and manages projects in more than 50 nations. This nonprofit focuses on using evidence-based research to determine effective poverty alleviation strategies, aiming to eliminate models that do not work.

Furthermore, IPA collaborates with governments, donors and organizations to conduct research and advocate for evidence-based solutions to global poverty. It bases its operations on a Theory of Action, focusing on the “Ripple Effect” of its impact. Sarah de Tournemire, Chief Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer at IPA, discussed with the Borgen Project the significance of evaluating the broader consequences of its initiatives.

The Origin and Mission of IPA

IPA’s Ripple Effect begins with its founder, Dean Karlan, who, while working with a microfinance institution in Latin America, found himself asking “‘How do you know whether your program is working? How do you know what your clients think of the program?’” Karlan realized through this project that, as Tournemire put it, “there is more to learn about how to effectively monitor, evaluate and learn from development projects.”

With this experience, as Karlan watched more and more organizations make new steps in the pursuit of ending global poverty, each project required new research, new trials and new people, opening up room for more error in determining effective poverty alleviation models. As thorough as each project group was, Karlan saw a need for a system, not just to organize and manage the data collected, but to create efficient, data-backed, large-scale solutions.

As he explained in an interview with Startups for Good, if researchers were conducting meaningful research in some communities, “the reality is, those awesome [data collecting teams] in those countries can help more than just that small set of researchers.” Once researchers were “experienced and knowledgeable [on] how to do that kind of work, then there’s a huge economy of scale that can be had by helping other researchers also use that knowledge, that infrastructure or that human capital to help coordinate their similar studies.”

Karlan went on to pursue a PhD in Economics at MIT, where working with his doctoral advisor, Esther Duflo, as explained by Tournemire, started asking the question that would directly prompt his creation of IPA: “How do we know what works and what doesn’t work to alleviate poverty?”

Concept to Global Impact

After completing his graduate research, Karlan began seeking evidence that the research and data collection were creating a ripple. As he wrote in his book More Than Good Intentions, he noted, “I wanted to make sure that my research and the research of other like-minded professors, did not simply get published and sit on dusty bookshelves in academic halls. I saw a void, a real need for a new kind of organization with a head for academia, but with its feet squarely in the real world. It would serve as a loudspeaker and an advocate for policy-relevant research and be full of people ready and eager to help generate research results and most importantly, it would work to scale up the ideas that are proven to work.”

Demonstrating the Ripple Effect of Innovations

How has the Ripple Effect manifested? Since its inception, IPA has conducted 950 evaluations demonstrating significant impacts across various initiatives. These include unconditional cash transfers, free malaria bed nets, targeted education strategies, chlorine dispensers for water purification, deworming programs and many more, according to Tournemire.

In its first decade, Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) focused on conducting thorough research to identify effective and ineffective poverty alleviation strategies. Tournemire stated, “In roughly the last 6 years we have been intentionally growing our work with decision-makers to create a ripple effect. Though we still create rigorous evidence we are increasing our advisory and policy work with governments in countries where we have a long-term presence.”

The Success of the Graduation Approach

IPA conducted a comprehensive review of the Targeting of the Ultra Poor Model, also known as the Graduation Approach. This program aims to provide multifaceted support to assist individuals in escaping poverty. A 2015 study analyzing results from 21,000 people across six countries found that participants experienced increased savings and enhanced physical and economic stability. Remarkably, the program demonstrated cost-effectiveness, yielding returns between 133% and 433% on the investment.

Partnerships and Policy

However, after demonstrating the effectiveness of the Targeting of the Ultra Poor Model, IPA expanded its impact by joining forces with several organizations within the Poverty Alleviation Coalition. Together, they embarked on an ambitious mission to lift 500,000 households out of poverty within five years. As Tournemire explains, “So it was sort of at that point where we had all this information, now we had to push it out to the world. We need policymakers and decision-makers to take up and use this evidence.”

IPA established a policy unit to enhance collaborations with ministries through initiatives like Embedded Evidence Labs for integrating evidence-based programs in government functions. Additionally, it formed Evidence-to-Policy Groups to foster dialogue between researchers and policymakers and it incorporated Policy and Impact Focus areas within IPA to tailor projects to decision-makers needs, among other policy-driven initiatives.

Linking Evidence to Policy for Poverty Relief

As Tournemire summarizes IPA’s mission, she explains that the organization continues “to generate evidence and informed data but almost a third of its work is now focused on this policy piece of making sure that the questions that need to be asked are being asked and there is a culture of evidence-based decision making being built.”

IPA brings forward a truth valuable to any person or entity working to alleviate global poverty. Tournemire argues “Decisions made upon rigorous data and evidence are the strongest weapons. If we want to have a real impact it’s about much more than just good intentions.” In other words, it’s the Ripples of our tangible progress that have the greatest potential in our battle to end global poverty for good.”

– Aria Desai
Photo: Unsplash

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Navigating the Nuclear Battery Promise

Nuclear BatteryThe recent buzz surrounding Betavolt’s nuclear battery has ignited excitement about a potential clean energy revolution. However, it’s crucial to approach this development with a balanced perspective, acknowledging its potential and the significant challenges. The Borgen Project aims to provide a comprehensive analysis, separating hype from hope by exploring this technology’s science, safety, feasibility and responsible development. Here, continued research and development efforts are crucial to fully understand the potential of nuclear batteries and their role in the future energy mix. 

Nuclear Battery: Potential and Hurdles

Nuclear batteries, like those developed by Betavolt, utilize the decay of radioactive isotopes to generate electricity for extended periods. Proponents highlight their potential for long-lasting, clean energy in remote locations or applications requiring consistent power, like medical devices or spacecraft. However, significant hurdles remain.

Firstly, regulatory approval is a complex and lengthy process. Nuclear technology faces stringent safety regulations and navigating these hurdles can be time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, the long-term management of radioactive waste generated by these batteries needs careful consideration and robust infrastructure, ensuring responsible disposal and environmental protection.

It’s important to note that advancements in areas like waste minimization and recycling could play a significant role in overcoming these challenges and paving the way for the wider adoption of nuclear batteries.

The Proven Path of Renewables

While nuclear batteries hold promise for specific applications, it’s crucial to recognize the established and rapidly advancing field of renewable energy. Solar, wind and other renewable sources offer a proven path towards a clean energy future, with significant advantages over nuclear technology in the near term. Continued investment and strategic policies are vital in accelerating the widespread adoption of renewables.

Success stories like the dramatic cost reduction of solar panels and the increasing efficiency of wind turbines demonstrate the immense potential of this sector. Additionally, innovative solutions like energy storage technologies address intermittency concerns, paving the way for a reliable and sustainable energy future powered by the sun, wind and human ingenuity. Beyond these established technologies, promising avenues exist to explore within the renewable energy sector. Research into advancements like geothermal, tidal and even algae-based biofuels can further diversify the clean energy portfolio.

Building Trust in Renewables

Investors play a crucial role in scaling up renewable energy solutions. By showcasing successful case studies, highlighting renewables’ economic and environmental benefits and fostering transparency in project development, we can build trust and attract investments crucial for accelerating the transition towards a clean energy future.

Focusing on the Future

Nuclear batteries may hold promise for niche applications in the distant future. However, for the immediate and foreseeable future, focusing on proven and rapidly advancing renewable energy solutions offers a more realistic and achievable path toward a sustainable and clean energy future. By harnessing the power of innovation, fostering responsible development and building trust in established technologies, we can collectively chart a clear course toward a brighter tomorrow powered by clean energy.

– Vincenzo Marino
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

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Innovations Against Poverty: Prosperity Through Cooperation

Innovations Against Poverty (IAP): Prosperity Through Cooperation Poverty rates in a region often hinge on specific local conditions, necessitating tailored solutions. Innovations against poverty are essential in this context. Yet, other factors affecting socio-economic well-being, like infant mortality and global food security, present uniform challenges across different areas. Establishing a fund dedicated to innovation in combating poverty can tackle both specific and widespread issues.

It enables the development of creative solutions for unique challenges and fosters large-scale collaboration among diverse stakeholders to address global problems. As a World Bank official emphasized in 2015, “Without collaboration that is both broad and deep, we have little hope of ending extreme poverty by 2030 and to boost shared prosperity.”

The Innovations Against Poverty (IAP) Challenge Fund

The program aims to carefully select innovative projects for their potential to benefit large numbers of people living in poverty and their scalability. It challenges private sector companies in the agriculture, energy, wash and ICT sectors across Cambodia, Ethiopia, Uganda and Zambia to innovate products.

Acting as a risk-sharing mechanism, the fund effectively supports innovative producers, offering them economic protections otherwise unavailable. This approach assists companies that fall between the cracks of microfinance and commercial lending. The top proposals receive up to €200,000 in funding per company.

The Challenge Fund is financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It aims to support ambitious entrepreneurs overcome a lack of capital to innovate. The fund works via an announcement that the fund is looking for proposals for the best solution to a pre-defined development problem that is not addressed by market forces.

Competitors are assessed against each other. The businesses that best fill several pre-set criteria are given a grant to implement their ideas. Following the first round of investments in companies from the four countries, more than 1.5 million people were calculated to have benefitted from improved access to basic goods and services, as well as more than 500,000 benefitting from cost savings and income, with knock-on effects for the wider communities.

The multi-stakeholder partnership approach plays a crucial role in reducing poverty. It brings together innovators, NGOs and investors, each contributing unique skills and experiences. Numerous instances document the success of this process through the Innovations Against Poverty program.

Agriculture: Afriseed

The  IAP program demonstrates its effectiveness through the financing of Afriseed. IAP not only provides initial funding but also helps entrepreneurs build relationships with local financiers. With an IAP grant exceeding €300,000, Afriseed expanded its legume production. It engaged more smallholder farmers and aimed to enlarge its market share in Southern Africa. Consequently, smallholder farmers enjoyed better access to quality seeds, higher crop yields and incomes, better integration into value chains and new market connections.

Sustainable Business: Raising Gabdho Foundation (RGF)

RGF, a social enterprise, provides clean cooking solutions and energy-efficient products. Through its collaboration with the IAP, RGF launched a new factory in June 2023 to develop effective ways to reduce air pollution from production. This partnership has already led to more than a doubling of the enterprise’s bio-briquette production capacity, with potential for even more expansion.

Furthermore, RGF introduced its Zeed Energy brand in Uganda, serving as a community marketplace for clean energy products. As the business expands, it will create more jobs, increase local revenue and benefit the environment by reducing the carbon footprint and promoting more sustainable practices among consumers and producers.

The initial opportunity presented to RGF has grown and grown into something with huge potential. RGF aims to establish a waste collection system to secure the biomass needed for briquette production. The foundation also aims to expand its sales routes beyond the capital city.

Looking Ahead

When we challenge creative individuals and small companies to innovate, the results can be transformative. Supporting anti-poverty innovations through targeted ventures that unite stakeholders seeking profit with workers aiming to improve their living conditions enhances the well-being of entire communities.

An independent impact assessment measured the success of the IAP. It revealed customers experienced better quality of life and access to new products and services. Additionally, 80% of female customers generating income from these offerings reported improved decision-making power over their earnings.

Incentivizing innovations against poverty among various stakeholders yields widespread and significant benefits for local communities. Encouraging and initiating creative solutions to persistent poverty-related issues across the developing world is well-supported by evidence.

– Arshiya Eslamdoust
Photo: Pixabay