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More Cities Want to Embrace ‘Democracy Vouchers'

Tanvi Misra

August 08, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Seattle residents receive cash vouchers to contribute to local campaigns of their choosing. The taxpayer-funded program aims to broaden political participation and counter the influence of big donors. The idea is spreading to other cities, including Albuquerque and Austin.

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In Germany, a news site is pairing up liberals and conservatives and actually getting them to (gasp) have a civil conversation

Shan Wang

August 08, 2018 |

Nieman Lab |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany

German news site Zeit Online helped 600 pairs of people with opposing political views meet to discuss the issues in person. The "My Country Talks" initiative was so well-reviewed that Zeit Online is now partnering with a dozen other German media organizations to grow the project, as well as a variety of groups outside the country.

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Community-Centered Development

Jill Harkins

August 08, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Preventing housing loss due to gentrification requires getting community members to the table before development plans take effect. Radix Consulting, a B Corp based in Portland, OR, is promoting community-led urban development in a city hit hard by gentrification. The principles of community and land use developed by Radix helped to influence policy in Portland’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan. While the plan in Portland addresses an existing crisis, other cities are looking to this model as a way to proactively manage their community development.

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How to Raise an ‘Army of Angry Moms and Women' From Your Own Kitchen

Edward Isaac-Dovere

August 07, 2018 |

Politico |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

What started as one mother upset over the 2012 Sandyhook school shooting has morphed into Moms Demand Action, a powerful political force with more than five million people on its list and 300,000 active volunteers. Founder Shannon Watts estimates the grassroots group around has helped block the majority of NRA-sponsored bills and succeeded in passing 1,000 of their own restricting guns. Many volunteers are also running for office.

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Philanthropic horticulturists and other prison community leaders

Anne Hillman

August 01, 2018 |

Alaska Public Media |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Seward, Alaska

At Spring Creek Correctional Center, profits from the prison store are shared among seven prison clubs. The clubs operate like nonprofits, bringing educational opportunities, music, plants, and more to inmates and donating extra funds to organizations on the outside. The system improves quality of life and offers leadership opportunities.

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Investing in Local Business to Get an Even Break

Courtney E. Martin

July 31, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Baltimore, Maryland

The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, known as Balle, encourages a “localism” approach to decrease wealth disparities. By hosting a fellowship program to share best practices as well as encouraging philanthropic foundations to invest their endowments in mission-aligned organizations, Balle as served 121,650 small businesses and worked with philanthropic leaders representing over $8 billion in assets.

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How to Win Elections in a System 'Not Set Up for Us'

Russell Berman

July 30, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Atlanta, Georgia

120 people attended the second annual Black Campaign School, a training program created by the Collective PAC, a progressive political action committee that is trying to get more black candidates into office. The Collective also trains and recruits candidates. In 2016 the Collective backed five candidates, four won. “It was the kicking-off point to say we want to bring folks together on the local, state, and federal level to share and learn, build a community, and hopefully help folks win.”

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Drive Against Gerrymandering Finds New Life in Ballot Initiatives

Michael Wines

July 23, 2018 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Public opinion is turning against gerrymandering faster than the Supreme Court. Five states are holding ballot measures on the issue spurred ahead by tens of thousands of citizen’s signatures, and political uncertainty is pushing legislators themselves to get behind apolitical redistricting commissions.

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Doña Ana County works to build a stronger voting culture

Heath Haussaman

July 16, 2018 |

NMPolitics.net |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chaparral, New Mexico

In Doña Ana County, New Mexico, boosting civic engagement is a priority. County Clerk Scott Krahling has tried several initiatives to do so, including hosting voter registration drives in schools, consolidating local elections, and implementing ranked choice voting. The clerk’s office also values community input. A nonpartisan advisory council and series of community meetings aim to ensure the community has a say in these civic engagement initiatives.

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Design as Democracy: Barcelona's ‘Carritos' Encourage a More Inclusive Urbanism

David de la Peña

July 16, 2018 |

TheCityFix |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Spain, Barcelona

Urban planners in Barcelona have a new way to engage locals who want a voice in urban design. Carritos, or mobile carts, are traveling to public spaces to draw in people who can share their opinions on development projects. This especially helps get feedback from those who do not have time to attend traditional city planning meetings. The goal is to make city planning a more inclusive space.

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