http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk World Challenge 2011 http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/79/Label_Soup_-_Making_Sense_of_Voluntary_Standards Lara Koritzke is Head of Communications and Development at the ISEAL Alliance, an umbrella organisation that provides certification for quality standards such as Fairtrade and the Forest Stewardship Council. How can consumers know which labels to trust when trying to buy ethically? http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/78/Letting_Startups_Lead_-_reflections_from_Global_Entrepreneurship_Week 10 days after the finish of Global Entrepreneurship Week we hear from organiser Jonathan Ortmans about how the event went. He sees positive signs that around the world informal networks of start-ups are using the market to bring their ideas to life. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/77/D2B_Presenter_Leo_Johnson_reflects_on_the_series This weekend sees the broadcast of the final episode of the Down to Business series. After a year spent guiding the four projects, Leo reflects on the series and what he has learnt along the way. In these times of economic uncertainty he sees projects such as Husk Power Systems as offering a glimmer of optimism that social enterprise can offer solutions to seemingly intractable problems in society. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/76/Down_to_Business_entrepreneur_Tim_Vang_from_MYC4 We learn how the MYC4 team found the Down to Business pitching process and discover how they plan to move forward by tailoring their internet investment platform to encourage South-South capital flows. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/75/Down_to_Business_entrepreneur_Puneet_Rustagi_from_Husk_Power_Systems In this blog we find out how Puneet found the Down to Business live event and discover what the company is doing to serve the 1.4 billion people worldwide without access to energy. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/150/Global_Entrepreneurship_Week_celebrated Around the world business and political leaders marked last week's celebration of entrepreneurship. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/74/Reflections_from_Down_to_Business_Live_from_Helen_Marquard_of_the_UN_SEED_Initiative Helen Marquard of the UN SEED Initiative, one of the panellists from Down to Business Face to Face, gives her own account of the night where four social entrepreneurs from around the world come face to face with the reality of the market. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/73/Reflections_from_Down_to_Business_Live_from_ClearlysSo_CEO_Rodney_Schwarz Rodney Schwarz from ClearlySo, one of the panellists from Down to Business Face to Face, gives his own account of the night where four social entrepreneurs from around the world come face to face with the reality of the market. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/142/World_Challenge_episodes_now_available_online_-_Votes_close_this_Friday All 12 World Challenge videos are now available on YouTube for those still to make up their minds who to choose before voting closes this Friday. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/141/Energy_efficient_lighting_company_secures_US$13_million_in_growth_funding Lighting company EcoSense has closed US$13 million in a financing round led by Bain Capital Ventures. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/72/Behind_the_scenes_at_Down_to_Business_Live Leo Johnson, Host of BBC World's "Down to Business" series, gives his own account of the night where four social entrepreneurs from around the world come face to face with the reality of the market. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/71/EL_NAFEZA_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here is El Nafeza project founder Olivia Ferrie's blog on her experience with the World Challenge shoot in Egypt. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/70/SHUNRAN-NO-SATO_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here is Kiichiro Tada's reaction to the World Challenge filming process. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/69/RECYCLA_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here Fernando Nilo, founder of the project, talks about his time with the World Challenge team. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/68/HAND_IN_HAND_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here we find out how the shoot went from V. Parisutham from the Hand in Hand project. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/67/VAVA_COFFEE_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here are Vava Coffee founder Vava Angwenyi's observations about her shoot with the World Challenge team. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/66/SNOW_LEOPARD_ENTERPRISES_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here's Brad RUtherford of Snow Leopard Enterprises with his take on how the shoot went. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/65/YERBA_MATE_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here we discover what went on during the filming from co-founder Alex Pryor. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/64/FUNKYJUNK_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here we learn about the World Challenge shoot in Cambodia with project founder Debbie Harris. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/63/BROOKLYN_GRANGE_ROOFTOP_FARM_PROJECT Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here is Anastasia Cole's blog on here time with he World Challenge team. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/62/GIVEACAR_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process.Here is Giveacar's founder Tom Chance peaking about his time on set. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/61/SHIV_FORESTRY_PROJECT_BLOG Every year we hear from World Challenge projects about their experience of the filming process. Here we find out how Bijang Gurung from the Shiv Forestry peice found the shoot. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/132/New_bank_set_up_to_fund_conservation_of_the_Chesapeake_Bay The economic value of ecosystems has been calculated as greater than the global gross national product. In the Chesapeake Bay, a new bank has been established to save wetlands by making that value a reality. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/60/Africa's_small_farmers_-_a_change_of_thinking In this blog Mohamed Beavogui, director for the West and Central Africa at the International Fund for Agricultural Development, talks about the untapped potential of Africa's small-holder farmers. But he warns that to tap this potential donors and projects need to change the way they think about the these small-scale entrepreneurs. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/59/How_does_this_year's_World_Challenge_measure_up? The World Challenge series is underway. Oliver Lamb with his regular researchers' blog keeps you up to date with how you can follow the shows and let us know what you think. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/58/Innovation_is_the_only_way_to_go_for_Europe This week saw the European Innovation Summit take place in Warsaw and Brussels, where participants discussed the role of people and talent for innovation and the challenges of innovation funding and financing. Prof. Danuta Hübner, MEP, shares her observations after moderating debates about the future of innovation in the EU. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/125/New_report_maps_future_of_European_waste_management A new survey by the European Environment Agency outlines the steps being taken across the continent to reduce waste, manage 'resource efficiency', and move towards a sustainable economy. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/57/Food_prices_-_Communities_fighting_back_-_World_Food_Day_2011 In this blog on the run-up to World Food Day this weekend, the Plunkett Foundation explores the complex arena of food prices and what can be learned from small, community-based enterprises who are trying to respond to the direct needs of their communities. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/56/Training_the_next_generation Cheryl Dorsey, President of Echoing Green, about what it takes to empower the next generation of social entrepreneurs to change the world. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/124/South_Korean_scientists_devise_new_form_of_'smart_glass'_to_save_energy A team of South Korean scientists are working on a prototype 'smart glass' that automatically changes opacity according to the sun's intensity http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/54/Nominations_Trends_in_the_World_Challenge Karen Westley is Social Performance Manager at Shell and sits on the distinguished World Challenge jury. Here she shares some of her observation's about this year's judging process. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/119/New_guide_aims_to_help_small_and_medium_enterprises_green_their_production_processes The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has just launched the "OECD Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit: Seven Steps to Environmental Excellence (Start-up Guide)" http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/118/Down_to_Business_presenter_Leo_Johnson_helps_launch_World_Challenge_on_BBC's_Weekend_World_programme. Last weekend saw the broadcast of the first episode of the World Challenge on BBC World News. Here Leo Johnson talks with host Paddy O'Connell about some of his motivations behind working on the series' sister show, Down to Business. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/117/Shopping_centre_uses_pedestrian_power_to_top_up_its_electricity_supply The energy harnessed from the footfall of pedestrians in an East London shopping centre will be used to power lights on site. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/52/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_ROMAINE_LANCASTER_-_BROOKLYN_GRANGE_ROOFTOP_FARM Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. Here we learn about Producer Romaine Lancaster's experience shooting the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/51/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_MARINA_WUTHOLEN_-_EL_NAFEZA_IN_EGYPT Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. In this blog we hear about Producer Marina Wutholen's experience filming with the El Nafeza project in Egypt. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/50/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_ROBERT_GOULD__FUNKY_JUNK_RECYCLING_CAMBODIA Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. Here we find out how World Challenge Producer Robert Gould found the experience of shooting the Funky Junk Recycling project in Cambodia. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/49/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_GUS_LAMB_-_GIVEACAR_IN_LONDON Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. In this blog we hear Producer Gus Lamb's account of his shoot across London with the Giveacar project. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/48/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_ALEX_POSADA_-_GUAYAKI_YERBA_MATE_IN_PARAGUAY Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. In this blog we find out filmmaker Alex Posada's experience of shooting with the Guayaki community in Paraguay as they harvest their crop of organic Yerba Mate. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/47/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_KEN_PUGH_-_HAND_IN_HAND_IN_INDIA Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. In this blog we hear from Producer Ken Pugh about his shoot with the Hand in Hand project in India. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/46/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_ALEX_POSADA_-_RECYCLA_IN_CHILE Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. Here we get to hear about Producer Alex Posada's visit to the Recycla company in Chile. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/45/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_KEN_PUGH_-_SHIV_FORESTRY_IN_NEPAL Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. Here we learn about Producer Ken Pugh's shoot in Nepal with the Shiv Forestry Group. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/44/WORLD_CALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_BERNARD_ROBERT-CHARRUE_-_SHUNRAN-NO-SATO_IN_JAPAN Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. Here we learn about Producer Bernard Robert-Charrue's experience of shooting the Shunran-No-Sato ecotourism project in Japan. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/43/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_BERNARD_ROBERT-CHARRUE_-_SNOW_LEOPARD_CONSERVATION_IN_MONGOLIA Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. Here we discover Producer Bernard Robert-Charrue's impressions from his film shoot with the Snow Leopard Conservation project in Mongolia. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/42/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_STEVE_HOBBS_-_UGASTOVE_IN_UGANDA Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. In this blog we discover Producer Steve Hobb's reaction to his shoot in Ugganda filming the Ugastove project. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/41/WORLD_CHALLENGE_PRODUCER'S_BLOG_BY_STEVE_HOBBS_-_VAVA_COFFEE_IN_KENYA Every year BBC World Challenge sends a group of experienced international filmmakers around the world to capture the 12 finalist projects chosen by the judges for the award. We get to hear from both the producer's own experiences filming the programmes and also how the shoot went for the people being featured. Here we find out how World Challenge Producer Steve Hobbs found his shoot in Kenya with Vava Coffee. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/112/Free_Facebook_Ads_scheme_for_small_businesses_in_America Social-media giant Facebook is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Business to reach out to the small-business community in America. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/111/World_Challenge_Producer's_have_their_say Every year, to help those voting for World Challenge projects, we have blogs from the field from each World Challenge producer. Next week we'll have the blogs from the individual projects. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/40/What_Kind_of_Company_Eradicates_Poverty? Michael Fairbanks helped create the SEVEN Fund to promote enterprise solutions to development problems. With an example from Haiti he highlights how private initiative trumped public aid in getting the government up and running after the recent earthquake. He shows how 'creating a culture of self-determination' could be the most important factor in eradicating poverty. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/108/New_UN_report_calls_on_Asia-Pacific_to_switch_to_green_economy A new United Nations report calls on countries in Asia and the Pacific to embark on a "green industrial revolution" that takes advantage of improvements in resource efficiency. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/39/World_Challenge:_Nomination_Trends In this blog Karen Westley, one of the jury members for this year's World Challenge competition, shares her insights into some trends she's noticed over her last two years judging the nominations for the competition. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/106/New_gadget_makes_rainwater_harvesting_more_accessible A new gadget - the RainSaucer - makes harvesting rainwater cheap and easy for families in the developing world. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/38/Leo_Johnson's_D2B_Production_Blog_-_The_Jompy_Stove_from_Scotland In this production blog Down to Business expert Leo Johnson visits Scottish inventor David Osborne to see how he can continues to grow his business, based on an innovative stove-top device that allows you to heat water and cook food at the same time. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/37/World_Challenge_2011_gears_up_for_broadcast On the eve of the first episode of this year's World Challenge run, starting with two special Down to Business features, researcher Oliver Lamb describes what viewers can expect from the new series and how they can follow the action. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/36/BBC_World_News_Special_Feature_on_How_to_Grow_a_Green_Business. London, 7 September, 2011. BBC World News' special sustainable business feature Down to Business begins transmission on Saturday 17th September. Presenter and sustainability expert Leo Johnson visits his choice of four enterprises yielding a social dividend while making a profit - and tries to help them deliver on their potential. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/100/An_'eBay_for_Science'_promises_to_transform_the_business_of_research New website Science Exchange promises to reduce start-up and infrastructure costs by allowing anyone to have an experiment performed for them, for a fee. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/35/Delivering_More_Value Social and environmental businesses do good things don't they? Of course they do! But if the aim is to create social and environmental value then this doesn't go far enough. Businesses need to account for the good things but also any unintended consequences of their work. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/34/Advantages_to_creating_a_social_business Starting a new business is difficult and that is no different for a social business or social enterprise. However, within the difficulty lies a silver lining of advantages for the social entrepreneur, which can come through better operating costs, labour, and marketing. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/99/Ashden_Awards_seeks_entries_from_sustainable_energy_projects The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy is seeking entries from ground-breaking businesses, schools, non-for-profit initiatives, and public sector organisations that encourage the use of sustainable energy in the UK. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/98/PodPonics_uses_disused_shipping_containers_for_urban_agriculture PodPonics is a new hydroponics growing system designed to decrease the energy consumption and expenses associated with traditional indoor growing. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/33/Making_a_Positive_Impact_through_a_For-Profit_Business_is_Easy_as_1-2-3:_Your_Portfolio_Can_Have_Positive_Impact_Across_All_Types_of_Investments R. Paul Herman is founder and CEO of investment adviser and portfolio manager HIP (Human Impact + Profit) Investor Inc. In his BBC Down to Business guest blog he outlines some investment opportunities and shows how the for-profit business community can bring value to the ethical business sector - as long as the 'new fundamentals of investing' are taken into account. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/97/Dirty_toilet_water_could_run_batteries_of_the_future Cleaning the dirty water from our drains and toilets is an expensive and energy-intensive task. A new fuel cell uses bacteria to remove nasties from the water and generate power at the same time. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/32/Only_One_Earth The weekend of the 4th of September will see international sustainability experts converge on the German city of Bonn to take part in the 64th Annual UN Department for Public Information "NGO-Organisations Conference". We hear from the conference chair, Felix Dodd from Stakeholder Forum, about what attendees can expect. He explains what the conference means in the wider policy developments under way for next year's Rio+20 sustainable development conference. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/29/Bridging_the_'Valley_of_Death':_Early_Stage_Innovative_Financing_for_Developing_World_SMEs The full growth potential of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries is often hampered by a systemic lack of appropriate early-stage financing. The structural deficiency of these financial markets is commonly referred to as the 'Valley of Death.' Sam Raymond, from the World Bank's infoDev fund, talks about their work trying to bridge this problem. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/92/Islamic_Development_Bank_approves_US_$495_million_in_financing_for_development_projects The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has approved nearly US $495 million for funding new development projects in member countries and Muslim communities worldwide. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/91/Multilateral_Investment_Fund_supports_financing_scheme_for_sustainable_agriculture_in_Honduras,_Guatemala_and_Nicaragua A new loan of US $4.9 million has been earmarked for small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas that are too risky for mainstream bank loans but too large for microfinance. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/90/Africa's_first_micro-finance_fund_for_sustainable_farmers_launched Africa's first specialist rural micro-finance fund supporting fair trade and organic small business was launched last month. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/28/Leo_Johnson's_D2B_Production_Blog_-_Escuela_Agricola_from_Paraguay In this production blog Down to Business expert Leo Johnson visits Martin Burt's innovative self-sufficient school in Paraguay to find the real value of his offering ahead of the London investment meeting in November. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/89/'Climate-Resilient'_farming_initiative_launched_in_Bangladesh The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, is promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices in Bangladesh, in an effort to help rice farmers weather the possible impact of climate change and ensure national food security. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/27/Leo_Johnson's_D2B_Production_Blog_-_MyC4_from_Denmark World Challenge Down to Business presenter and sustainable business guru Leo Johnson gives the background to his shoot in Denmark with MYC4, the micro-lending platform that brings development finance to Africa's entrepreneurs at the touch of a button. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/26/Get_enriched_by_sharing Jonne Zweers, Communications Manager at SharePeople, helps connect budding social entrepreneurs around the world with business experts. He shows here, with examples from India and Kenya, what can be achieved when people work together to make profits with a purpose. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/85/Innovators_across_Africa_drive_down_cost_of_sanitary_pads The high cost of sanitary pads is causing African girls to miss school. Social entrepreneurs are coming up with solutions. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/25/Social_Enterprise_is_the_Blending_of_Dreams_and_Numbers David LePage has worked building a supportive environment for social enterprise in Canada for the last 15 years. Now working as Team Manager for Enterprise Non-Profits, he sees the secret behind social enterprise success in a mix of big dreams and hard numbers. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/24/Banks_Can_Do_More_to_Support_SMEs Small and medium-sized companies are often considered too risky to bank. It needn't be so, argues Som Subroto, Global Head of SME Banking at Standard Chartered http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/76/'Most_Efficient'_label_added_to_boost_the_energy_efficiency_of_US_products The US Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy have launched a pilot programme to identify the top performing products within the existing 'Energy Star' scheme. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/23/NGOs_and_Private_Enterprise:_What_Does_the_Future_Hold? Duncan Green, Head of Research at Oxfam Great Britain, writes here about the debate raging within the NGO sector about how best to team up with private business and what the future holds for these new relationships. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/22/Keeping_it_simple:_Four_lessons_for_social_entrepreneurs_from_the_RoughRider_wheelchair In the second of our two-part special with Global Envision's bloggers, we hear from Lyndsey Romick about RoughRiders, a social enterprise utilising appropriate technology to produce cheap and study wheelchairs for people living in the developing world. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/66/European_Commission_calls_for_applications_for_entries_to_the_2011_Competitiveness_and_Innovation_Programme 35 million euros worth of funding is available to projects innovating in environmental products and services that have the potential to reach an EU-wide market. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/21/Too_small_for_banks,_too_big_for_microfinance:_Financing_the_world's_"missing_middle" In the first of our two-part special with Global Envision's bloggers, we hear from Megan Kelly about Root Capital, a mid-sized lending company that helps companies and groups that are too big for microcredit loans and too small for large bank loans. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/64/'Green_Deal'_loan_scheme_to_benefit_small-_and_medium-sized_businesses_in_the_UK The 'Green Deal' scheme unveiled by the UK government will provide SMEs with access to the upfront capital needed to enhance the energy efficiency of their properties. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/20/Social_Enterprise_in_the_Philippines Social enterprise is now becoming a popular means to overcome the economic and social problems of the Philippines. The World Challenge series enjoys a good following in the country, with several previous winners coming from there. In this D2B guest blog we hear from Matthew Alberto, a well-known Filipino blogger. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/62/A_new_global_partnership_for_"Making_More_Health"_unveiled_by_Ashoka_and_Boehringer_Ingelheim Social entrepreneurs association Ashoka has joined forces with Boehringer Ingelheim, a pharmaceutical company, to work on a three-year global initiative to improve health in communities around the world. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/19/Using_Social_Media_To_Serve_the_Bottom_of_the_Pyramid Social media blogger Beth Kanter discusses how a small Indian NGO, Pratham Books, utilized the power of Twitter to reach out to people for book donations. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/59/Social_investment_start-up_chooses_Moldova_for_pilot_project It's officially Europe's poorest country, but according to a group of socially minded business professionals, Moldova could help create a new model for sparking social investment in the developing world. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/18/Connecting_To_More_Friends_&_Family_Investors,_Just_Might_Help_Save_Our_Economy. Ruth Hedges has been developing an online platform that that attempts to reinvent the business plan by allowing budding entrepreneurs and small business owners to create, plan and store them 'in the cloud'. In her Down to Business guest blog we hear how she hopes this new technology will expand an entrepreneur's ability to become a good investment to a larger group of families, friends and neighbours. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/53/US$40_billion_a_year_could_halve_deforestation_worldwide,_according_to_UN_report A major new report by the United Nations Environment Programme suggests that relatively small increases in funds could slash forest-related emissions and support millions of jobs. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/52/Greenhouses_on_supermarket_rooftops_set_to_eliminate_food_miles_and_improve_quality New York City-based startup, BrightFarms, has completed financing and is now in a position to start construction of greenhouses on supermarket rooftops across the United Sates. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/17/Heather_Grady_of_the_Rockefeller_Foundation_talks_impact_investing Heather Grady is the Vice President for Foundation Initiatives for The Rockefeller Foundation. In this Down to Business guest blog she talks about what the institution is doing in the growing field of impact investing. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/16/Lessons_in_Growth:_Education_That_Pays_For_Itself Previous World Challenge Finalist Martin Burt, Founder of self-sufficient school Escuela Agricola, with a lesson on how to scale up your project. With 3 schools underway in Paraguay and 48 more in development around the world, he should know what he's talking about. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/15/Green_Gold,_Growing_Businesses_and_London_Jewellery_Week Our Down to Business reporter Leo Johnson has been working for the past year with Oro Verde, the environmentally friendly gold miners from Colombia, to help grow their business. He caught up with them at London Jewellery Week to find out how they've been doing and hear about the launch of Fairtrade's new ethical gold mark. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/49/Nominations_open_for_social_entrepreneurship_prize_in_Vietnam Vietnam's Centre for Social Initiatives Promotion is calling for nominations for its Social Entrepreneurs Support Program. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/14/Interview_with_entrepreneur_Mark_Wooley Last week the World Challenge team caught up with Mark Woolley who works with previous World Challenge winners Ecomaximus to distribute paper made from elephant dung to outlets throughout the UK. Researcher Ollie Lamb spoke to Mark about fair trade, busy days and the market for eco-friendly paper. Here he shares his experiences working with traditional handicraft businesses in Asia and beyond, and gives an insight into why he does what he does. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/13/Why_not_invest_in_natural_capital? Global Canopy Programme Founder and Executive Director Andrew Mitchell has been working for decades to preserve global forests. He argues that "Impact Investors" need to take natural capital more seriously if they want to take advantage of the growing market for forest carbon and ecosystems services. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/41/European_company_earns_carbon_credits_by_investing_in_clean_water_for_rural_Kenyans European company Vestergaard Frandsen is to invest US$25 million in a 'Carbon for Water' scheme - supplying water filters free of charge to rural Kenyans while still turning a profit through the global carbon market. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/40/Imagine_H20_announces_winners_of_Water-Energy_Nexus_Prize Not-for-profit company Imagine H20 announces the winners of a US$100,000 prize to promote energy saving innovations in the water sector. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/39/Brin_Wojcicki_Foundation_celebrates_Ashoka's_30th_Anniversary_with_US$2_million_pledge The Brin Wojcicki Foundation - co-founded by two of the world's leading entrepreneurs, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of 23andMe - has pledged US$2 million to the Ashoka social entrepreneurship programme. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/38/European_Commission_calls_for_projects_that_turn_environmental_challenges_into_business_opportunities The Eco-Innovation initiative, run by the European Commission, aims to help small businesses that can play a role in cutting Europe's environmental footprint. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/12/Bridging_the_for-profit/non-profit_divide Their very structure means many non-profits struggle to align their causes with the demands of the market, says sustainable development expert Tighe Georghegan. But new models and ownership structures have emerged that can help projects combine the best of both imperatives. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/37/Design_a_300_dollar_house_and_win_US$25,000 Launched in April 2011, the $300 House project aims to "design a simple dwelling that can be constructed for under $300 which keeps a family safe, allows them to sleep at night, gives them both protection from the elements and a sense of dignity," according to the project's founders. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/36/Vienna_gears_up_for_World_Economic_Forum_on_Europe_and_Central_Asia The June meeting of the World Economic Forum will convene more than 500 leaders from business, government and civil society to discuss policies and reforms aimed at rebalancing the global economy. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/35/UN_conference_urges_greater_support_for_small_and_informal_enterprise A debate at the fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries heard that support for the small and informal enterprise is crucial to developing national economies. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/34/Largest_ever_investment_in_'microinsurance'_in_Africa International company LeapFrog Investments has put US$14 million into East African insurance group Apollo Investment Ltd as part of its aim to offer insurance to the world's poorest people http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/33/European_Union_invests_three_million_euros_in_protecting_the_Colombian_Amazon Colombian environmental group Gaia Amazonas and partners have secured three million Euros (US$3.9 million) from the European Union to help protect the Colombian Amazon. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/11/World_Challenge_catch-up World challenge researcher, Ollie Lamb (no relation of the World Challenge producer) continues his regular blog describing the production cycle over the next 9 months. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/10/Where's_the_Cash?_Finding_the_Fuel_that_Drives_your_Idea Charities and social enterprises in the developing world are doing great work and brimming with ideas to do more - but how can they access funding to ensure continued success? Sameer Zuhad and Erik Detiger run fundsforngos.org - a website and email service that notifies thousands of organisations around the world about the latest funding opportunities. Here they explain what NGOs and social entrepreneurs can do to successfully tap into these funding streams. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/9/Coming_in_from_the_'Dark_Side' Jonathan Jenkins, Director of Ventures at UnLtd, Europe's largest supporter of early stage social entrepreneurs, reflects on the rapid growth of the global impact investment market place. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/25/'Fair_Trade'_label_boosts_sales New research reveals how much consumers are willing to pay for the 'Fair Trade' label. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/24/Kiva.org_unveils_'Green_Loans' World's largest micro-lending website announces 'Green Loans' scheme to support sustainable business. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/23/'Social_Entrepreneurs_of_the_Year'_announced Winners of prestigious social entrepreneurship prize announced at World Economic Forum on Africa. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/21/BBC_Interviews_with_global_entrepreneurs A series of interviews with inspiring entrepreneurs from around the world http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/20/Global_firms_support_water_initiatives_in_Africa Coca-Cola, Diageo and WaterHealth International have launched a new partnership to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water in Africa. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/19/World_Fair_Trade_Day On 14 May 2011 millions of small producers, artisans, farmers, manufacturers, traders and consumers will celebrate World Fair Trade Day. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/18/Yes_We_Can_-_100%_Renewable_Energy_By_2050 A world entirely run by renewable energy midway into this century is a realistic target, according to a new report by WWF and Ecofys, the Dutch energy consultancy company. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/17/Zero_Carbon_Centre_Pioneers_Webinars The Zero Carbon Centre is a virtual exhibition and conference centre for exhibitors to showcase their work and host online seminars or 'webinars' with advisers on reducing workplace emissions. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/8/Lender_to_Borrower_at_the_Touch_of_a_Keypad Africa represents an enormous untapped business potential, but with 80% of the African population not having access to a bank, how on earth will SMEs ever be in a position to attract funding to realise their business potential? Tim Vang, co-founder of MYC4, explains how consumers can invest directly in African enterprise via your mobile http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/7/Joanna_Ledgerwood:_Managing_Risk Most of the world's poor are farmers whose spending patterns vary with the ups and downs of the weather, the local market and family fortunes. Our first guest blogger, Joanna Ledgerwood from the Agha Khan Foundation, says the existing microfinance institutions are not doing enough to help them manage risk. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/6/Sandra_Hernandez:_'Good_Gold'_Taking_Off Oro Verde was born in 2000 as an innovative idea to certify environmentally and socially responsible mining practices in the Choco Bioregion, a biodiversity hotspot along Latin America's Pacific coast from Panama to Ecuador. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/blog/read/5/Leo_Johnson:_Getting_Serious In 2010 Down to Business was launched as a pilot programme under the World Challenge umbrella. It was broadcast last October on the BBC World News channel to a positive reception from viewers. I was given the challenge to help two past World Challenge finalists in Kenya and Colombia: both were struggling and my task was to give practical advice on how both could turn the corner. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/9/Carbon_Trading_Goes_Electronic Carbon Trade Exchange launches the world's first electronic interface for carbon exchange allowing buyers and sellers worldwide to trade electronically for the first time. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/8/Green_with_Envy If African nations go the green route to growing their economies, the continent could end up as the envy of the rest of the world, says Achim Steiner, 2009 World Challenge keynote speaker. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/7/Double_the_Turn-out_at_"Voice_11" The strong turn-out at the UK's Social Entrepreneurs Coalition's 11th "Event for Social Enterprise, Voice 11", shows the ethical business sector is surviving the economic downturn. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/3/Paul_Gibbs Paul Gibbs, BBC World News Head of Programmes, welcomes the return of World Challenge series six and outlines the reasons for its staying power on the Channel. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/2/Robert_Lamb Robert Lamb, producer of World Challenge, gives his personal insight into how working on the series has changed his ideas about sustainability. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/3/Ramming_home_the_message Last December the Philippines-based Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. won top prize. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/blog/read/1/Ollie_Lamb World challenge researcher, Ollie Lamb (no relation of the world challenge producer) starts a regular blog that will describe the production cycle over the next 9 months. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/2/Volts_for_villages Started by two childhood friends, Gyanesh Pandey and Ratnesh Yadav, the group estimates they have now saved over US$1 million. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/1/Kroner_to_Africa MYC4, a 2010 World Challenge finalist, strikes a breakthrough link with Denmark's biggest retail society. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/153/Down_to_Business_pitching_event_-_audience_favourite_announced At the end of the Down to Business series the four projects featured were invited to London to pitch their ideas to business experts. You can now find out what questions the audience asked them and which business they picked as their overall favourite. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/152/Mongolian_Snow_Leopards_Enterprises_wins_World_Challenge_2011 Snow Leopard Enterprises, from Mongolia, has been named as the winner of this year's World Challenge competition, taking the first prize of a $20,000 grant from Shell to help develop their initiative. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/151/Lloyds_TSB_bank_supports_Global_Entrepreneurship_Congress Banking group Lloyds TSB have pledged £100,000 to become gold sponsor of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, to be held in Liverpool next spring. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/148/Ashoka_'Changemaker'_Bill_Drayton_celebrated Bill Drayton, the CEO and visionary founder of social enterprise organisation Ashoka, has accepted three awards from around the world honouring his work - all in the last three weeks. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/147/World_Challenge_voting_is_now_closed Watch this space to find out who has won this year's prizes and for information about the broadcast of the awards ceremony and a special Down to Business live pitching event. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/146/Global_Entrepreneurship_Week_launches_(14-20_November) Founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the initiative is supported by dozens of world leaders and a growing network of 25,000 partner organisations. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/145/UN_Secretary_General_stresses_the_important_role_of_NGOs Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has hailed non-governmental organisations (NGO) and civil society partnerships as an important force in helping transitional countries build and strengthen their fledgling institutions with the assistance of the United Nations. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/144/New_method_to_calculate_the_solar_power_potential_of_rooftops With household solar panels increasingly popular throughout the world, a new technique has been developed to predict the precise efficiency potential of individual rooftops. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/143/European_Commission_announces_plans_for_EUR90_million_social_enterprise_fund The European Commission's Social Enterprise Initiative will help start-up companies to access funding and development opportunities, with plans to earmark funds of up to EUR90 million for the initiative. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/140/Hear_how_the_World_Challenge_projects_found_the_filming_experience Every year readers get to hear from the finalist projects about their time being filmed by the team of World Challenge producers. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/139/Hear_how_the_World_Challenge_projects_found_the_filming_experience Every year readers get to hear from the finalist projects about their time being filmed by the team of World Challenge producers. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/138/Down_to_Business_comes_Face_to_Face_with_social_investors World Challenge entrepreneurs met with sustainable business experts last week in London to get advice about how to grow their projects. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/137/Final_preparation_underway_for_Global_Entrepreneurship_Week Businesspeople around the world are gearing up for Global Entrepreneurship Week ? November 14-20, 2011. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/136/Germany_sets_aside_US$130_billion_for_renewable_energy_projects The German Development Bank is to underwrite renewable energy and energy efficient investments in Germany with US$137.3 billion over the next five years. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/135/Champion_of_social_entrepreneurship_Jeff_Skoll_receives_Tech_Humanitarian_Awards Former eBay head and social entrepreneur Jeff Skoll is among the winners of this year's Tech Awards, designed to celebrate the people and organisations "using technology to make the world a better place". http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/134/WindMade:_the_world's_first_consumer_standard_label_for_wind_power The technical standard for the first global consumer label for companies to buy wind power and other clean, renewable energy has been launched. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/133/Virgin_Atlantic_set_to_pilot_low_carbon_industrial_waste_fuel Virgin Atlantic claims to have developed the world's first low carbon aviation fuel made from waste gases from the steel industry, with just half the carbon footprint of fossil fuel alternatives. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/131/Investment_in_British_ethical_funds_reaches_record_high_of_£11.3_billion The amount of money invested in Britain's green and ethical retail funds has reached a record high, according to figures released by EIRIS, a non-profit sustainable investment research firm. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/130/Green_industries_essential_for_sustainable_economic_growth,_according_to_UN The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has called for industry leaders to 'think green' in every aspect of their business, in order to ensure a sustainable future. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/129/UK_social_investors_call_on_European_Commission_to_relax_social_investment_rules A consortium of social investment bodies in the UK claims that social investment needs to be made easier for ordinary people to become involved in. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/128/Mobile_communications_could_transform_smallholding_farmers'_livelihoods_in_emerging_markets Research by Vodafone and Accenture suggests mobile phone technologies could boost the incomes of developing world farmers by up to US$138 billion within the decade. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/127/UN_launches_new_campaign_for_sustainable_development_as_world_population_approaches_7_billion Coordinated by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the 7 Billion Actions campaign is designed to encourage individuals, governments, businesses and organisations to take 'positive actions' to boost sustainable development. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/126/Social_enterprises_more_likely_to_survive_than_other_businesses,_says_report Social enterprises have a better survival rate than normal businesses and are more likely to grow during the recession, according to a report from a new think tank New Philanthropy Capital. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/123/Belgian_inventor_wins_2011_European_Design_Award_for_A_Sustainable_Present First prize in the European Economic and Social Committee Design Eleven competition has been awarded to Belgian inventor Vincent Gerkens for his terracotta alternative to a fridge. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/122/NASA_awards_largest_prize_in_aviation_history_for_green_challenge NASA has awarded the largest prize in aviation history, created to inspire the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft and spark the start of a new electric aeroplane industry. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/121/SMEs_struggle_to_get_loans The proportion of unsuccessful loan applications by SMEs in the European Union has risen with the economic crisis. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/120/Call_for_nominations_for_STARS_Foundation's_'Impact_Awards_2012' The STARS Foundation is offering grants of up to US$100,000 to organisations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific working with vulnerable children in the categories of Health, Education and Protection. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/116/Solar-powered_'water_ATMs'_to_provide_clean_drinking_water A solar-powered water ATM gives customers in rural areas access to clean water with the use of a pre-pay card that can be recharged by cellphone. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/115/Grameen_Foundation_and_USAID_to_provide_US$3_million_for_Peruvian_Microfinance_Institutions The Grameen Foundation and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) are joining forces to provide a credit guarantee to the Peruvian savings and credit cooperative Abaco. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/114/UN_Conference_highlights_green_job_opportunities_for_young_people Providing training and education for young people so they can participate in the emerging 'green economy' is the focus of a United Nations conference taking place in Bandung, Indonesia. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/113/Ecovative_named_'Innovator_of_the_Year'_by_Greener_Package_Awards A new protective packaging product has earned New York company Ecovative the title of 'Innovator of the Year' in the 2011 Greener Package Awards. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/110/Launch_of_UNDP_Equator_Prize_2012 Nominations are being sought for the UN's Equator Prize 2012, which will recognise 25 outstanding local initiatives that are working to advance sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/latest_updates/read/109/Voting_Opens_for_the_Seventh_BBC_World_Challenge_Competition On Monday 26 September voting was opened for World Challenge 2011, an annual competition run by BBC World News and Newsweek in association with Shell. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/107/'Most_environmentally_aware'_firms_highlighted A report by the World Economic Forum has identified 16 companies from across the developing world that are best showing how to grow profits at the same time as tackling environmental and social challenges. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/105/Mining_landfills_for_energy_and_profit A Belgian company is removing the raw materials from dumps, making both energy and building materials out of them - and releasing the land for redevelopment. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/104/Kiva_City_offers_microloans_to_hardest_hit_American_cities Building from its success in funding entrepreneurs in the developing world, microloan company Kiva has turned its eye towards America, giving loans in cities like New Orleans and Detroit. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/103/European_scheme_launched_to_develop_algae_as_an_energy_source A major new research project is to get underway in Europe to advance the production of algae as a source of 'green oil' http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/102/Free_eyeglasses_project_wins_100,000_Euro_INDEX_prize Fuseproject, a company set up by industrial designer Yves Behar, has won the prestigious INDEX award for a 'Design to Improve Life' - for a project launched in Mexico to test and correct children's vision. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/101/UN_/_NGO_forum_urges_greater_emphasis_on_public_engagement_in_sustainable_development Delegates to the three-day annual conference of the UN and NGOs last week stressed the need to "connect the dots" between civil society groups dealing with various issues for greater impact on global problems. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/96/Investing_in_ecosystem_services_can_boost_food_security_and_raise_incomes A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) puts the case that investing in healthy ecosystems can boost food security, improve resilience to climate change and provide economic benefits for poor communities. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/95/Alligator_fat_found_to_be_a_clean_and_renewable_source_of_biodiesel_fuel Scientists have identified a new and unlikely raw material to produce biodiesel: alligator fat. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/94/United_Nations_chief_sees_sustainable_development_as_top_priority_in_his_second_term Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who has been re-elected for a second term, has said that sustainable development will remain his top priority during his next term as head of the United Nations. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/93/UK-based_furniture_company_launches_'sustainable_sofa' Furniture company Trent Upholsteries has joined forces with Nottingham Trent University's sustainable design project Future Factory to create a new 'sustainable sofa'. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/88/Special_Down_to_Business_LIVE_social_enterprise_event_in_London This year World Challenge has built on the success of last years' Down to Business feature with a special Business Portal Website and three new Down to Business programmes. Two will be shown this September on BBC World News. The third and final episode will see social enterprises float their ideas to a hard-nosed panel of sustainable business experts in London. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/87/Nominations_open_for_award_recognising_'responsible_investment_industry_leaders' Nominations are now being sought for the 2011 'SRI (Sustainable and Responsible Investment) Service Award' for outstanding contributions to the sustainable and responsible investment industry in the US. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/86/LAUNCH_invites_submissions_for_its_2011_Energy_Challenge LAUNCH - an initiative of NASA, USAID, the US Department of State and NIKE - invites submissions from innovators that could "transform current energy systems for a more sustainable future" http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/84/Biofuel_project_wins_Greek_innovation_prize The Greek BIOFUELS-2G LIFE project, which demonstrated an innovative technology for producing biodiesel, was among the winners at 'Greece Innovates', a competition organised by Eurobank and the Hellenic Bureau of Industry. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/83/Asian_Development_Bank_offers_US$200_million_in_loans_for_road_building_in_India's_northeast The Asian Development Bank has launched a package of loans intended to reconstruct roads in northeast India, with the aim of stimulating growth and development in some of the country's poorest states. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/82/UN_chief_calls_for_more_focus_on_sustainable_development United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a revolution in favour of sustainable development in which the green economy is "driven by business, supported by governments and embraced by the people". http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/81/Europe_provides_244_million_Euros_to_fund_new_environmental_projects The European Commission has approved funding for 183 new projects under the LIFE+ programme, the European Union's environment fund. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/80/New_US_fund_for_innovative_development_projects The United States Agency for International Development is seeking grant applications for its new venture capital-style fund, Development Innovation Ventures. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/79/Prince_Charles_launches_Earth_Awards_exhibition The Prince of Wales has launched an exhibition showcasing some of the innovations in the running for the 2012 Earth Awards. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/78/New_'business_incubator'_designed_specifically_for_clean_technology_startups_set_for_launch_in_Los_Angeles Plans have been announced for the launch of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, a non-profit project of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Department of Water and Power for the city of Los Angeles. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/77/Call_for_applications_for_the_Shuttleworth_Foundation_Fellowship_Programme South African NGO The Shuttleworth Foundation is looking for people who have 'a plan for social change' through innovation in the areas of education and technology. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/75/Registration_deadline_approaching_for_China's_'Summer_Davos' Organisers of one of Asia's foremost business gatherings - the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2011 - have set August 15 as the registration deadline for this year's event. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/74/United_Nations_envoy_in_Africa_calls_for_mobilization_of_youth_for_development A top-ranking United Nations official in Africa has called for a mobilization of the continent's youth for sustainable development, suggesting that the recent turmoil in North Africa may be linked to high rates of unemployment among youth, their desire for freedom, and their demands for change. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/73/Aspen_Institute_holds_biannual_gathering_of_Fellows Entrepreneurial leaders gather in Aspen, Colorado for ACT II, the biennial gathering of Fellows from across the Aspen Global Leadership Network http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/72/European_Commission_launches_European_Green_Capital_Award_2014 The European Commission has started the process of finding the city that will inherit the title of 'European Green Capital' in 2014. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/71/World_Water_Council_seeks_nominations_for_the_King_Hassan_II_Great_World_Water_Prize The King Hassan II Great World Water Prize is an international award jointly established by the Government of Morocco and the World Water Council, in memory of King Hassan II of Morocco. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/70/Inkjet_printer_technology_could_produce_solar_cells_of_the_future A team of technologists at Oregon State University has created a technique for printing solar energy cells with a conventional inkjet printer. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/69/World_Challenge_2010_finalist_BlueVentures_wins_2011_Buckminster_Fuller_Challenge Blue Ventures, a conservation organisation that protects marine environments while improving the standard of living in some of the world's poorest coastal communities, has won the 2011 Buckminster Fuller Challenge. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/68/General_Motors_invests_in_electric_bus_company General Motors Ventures has invested US$6 million in a Colorado-based company - Proterra - which makes zero-emissions commercial electric buses http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/67/CO2_from_power_station_to_be_sequestered_via_converted_gas_pipe Plans are underway to capture CO2 from Longannet power station in Fife and send it via a converted gas pipe for storage beneath the North Sea http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/63/'Green'_cars_and_planes_could_be_made_from_bananas Brazilian scientists have developed a method of using fibres from plants to make a new generation of automotive plastics. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/61/Scotland's_£10_million_Saltire_Prize_for_marine_energy_is_open_for_entrants The Saltire competition will reward commercially viable wave or tidal energy technologies that are capable of generating at least 100 GW of electricity over two years - enough to power 10,000 homes. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/60/UN_innovation_fair_to_showcase_bright_ideas_in_education As part of its Annual Ministerial Review - to be held in Geneva, Switzerland between 4 and 7 July - the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is organising an 'innovation fair' to showcase promising practices, approaches and projects in education from around the world. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/58/New_standard_introduced_to_make_commercial_furnishings_industry_more_sustainable A new set of standards to improve the sustainability of fabrics used to make commercial furnishings in the US has been introduced. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/57/Zayed_Future_Energy_Prize_opens_nominations_for_2012_global_competition US$4 million to be awarded for innovation, leadership, long-term vision and impact in renewable energy and sustainability. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/56/Deadline_for_entries_to_the_2011_Green_Business_Awards_extended_to_June_30 The Green Business Awards celebrate excellence in green practice, strategy and products in UK industries. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/55/Google_invests_US$280_million_in_residential_solar_projects Internet giant Google has made its biggest investment in residential renewable energy to date by collaborating with SolarCity, the largest solar power and energy efficiency provider in the US. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/54/Nominations_open_for_Global_Development_Network_awards The Global Development Network, with support from the Japanese government and other donors, welcomes applications for the 'Japanese Award for Most Innovative Development Project' http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/51/Tech_company_SeaMicro_secures_US$20_million_for_energy_efficient_servers SeaMicro, a maker of low-power servers in Silicon Valley, has raised US$20 million in a recent funding round - bringing total investment in the company to $60 million. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/50/'Social_Investment_Manual'_launched_during_Social_Capital_Markets_conference The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in partnership with the World Economic Forum has launched 'The Social Investment Manual', the first manual of its kind. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/48/Mangroves_to_receive_boost_from_new_carbon_credit_rules A new method for quantifying the role of mangroves in capturing and storing carbon dioxide has been endorsed by the United Nations. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/47/Deadline_approaching_for_competition_aimed_at_boosting_work_opportunities_for_vulnerable_people The eBay Foundation has joined forces with Ashoka - a global association of social entrepreneurs - to create an online competition to find innovative solutions that generate employment opportunities for disadvantaged people. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/46/Registration_is_now_open_for_the_Dutch_Postcode_Lottery's_Green_Challenge_2011 The Green Challenge, now in its fifth year, is an international competition for innovative ideas that contribute to the reduction of the greenhouse effect. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/45/Child_ViSion_project_launched_to_provide_adjustable_eyeglasses_to_children_in_the_developing_world A UK NGO has teamed with up silicone technology company the Dow Corning Corporation to design, manufacture and distribute self-adjustable glasses for children between the age of 12 and 18. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/44/Nestlé_opens_nominations_for_2012_Prize_in_Creating_Shared_Value The Nestle Prize in Creating Shared Value will be awarded to an individual, a non-government organisation or a small business for an outstanding innovation or project in three areas of risk and opportunity: water, nutrition and rural development. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/43/Renewable_energy_company_secures_US$22_million_to_turn_plastics_back_into_oil Agilyx Corporation has raised US$22 million in funds to help bring to market its patented technology to turn waste plastic into synthetic crude. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/42/SOCAP_Europe_conference_shows_mainstream_capital_is_warming_up_to_social_investing Held between May 30th and June 1st, the inaugural SOCAP Europe event in Amsterdam brought together over 600 participants in the emerging field of 'impact investment' - putting capital into projects that benefit society while also yielding financial returns. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/32/Innovation_in_Indian_Social_Enterprise An innovative twist on clustering could be instrumental in kick-starting social enterprise in India, according to a charitable organisation http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/31/US_State_Department_announces_'TechCamps'_to_look_for_hi-tech_solutions_to_some_of_the_world's_most_pressing_problems The US State Department has announced funding for a series of 'TechCamps' - brainstorming sessions at which NGOs and technology experts will try to come up with ideas to improve education, health and welfare through digital and networking technologies. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/30/Call_for_nominations_for_'Social_Entrepreneur_of_the_Year_Competition_-_India_2011' The Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship are inviting applications for the 'Social Entrepreneur of the Year Competition - India 2011'. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/29/Green_finance_deal_worth_US$905_million_to_UK_businesses The Carbon Trust and Siemens Financial Services Ltd have joined forces to launch a green finance deal worth around US$905 million over the next three years. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/28/Citi_banking_group_offers_'socially_responsible'_investments Citi has added 'socially responsible investment solutions' to its securities lending cash collateral investment program. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/27/Bloomberg_claims_200_percent_return_on_investment_on_sustainability Every dollar that media and financial services company Bloomberg has spent on sustainability has saved two dollars in operating costs, according to the company's first public sustainability report. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/26/Nominations_now_open_for_'2011_Africa_Prize_for_Leadership_for_the_Sustainable_End_of_Hunger' The US$100,000 Africa Prize is awarded by the Hunger Project, a global non-profit organization working to end hunger and poverty in 12 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/16/Green_Climate_Fund_for_Developing_Nations The agreement at the UN climate conference in Cancun to create a US$100 billion Green Climate Fund is on course for approval at the next meeting of the climate change convention in Durban in December. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/15/Taking_the_Pledge:_100_Advisers_Changing_the_Non-profit_Landscape One hundred top industry leaders from a variety of sectors worldwide have made a commitment to assist charities by serving for a year on the boards of the organisations. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/14/SMEs_in_Emerging_Markets_Oozing_Confidence Nearly a third of the 6000 SMEs contacted for the latest bi-annual HSBC Global Small Business Confidence Monitor are planning to increase investment in their own businesses. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/13/Outfoxed?_Putting_a_Price_on_Nature The third series of Nature Inc - made by the World Challenge team - prices the cost of invasive species to the global economy and over US$1 trillion. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/12/From_Chemicals_to_Air_Pollution_-_Bees_Under_Bombardment 20,000 flowering plant species - some vital to global food production - could be lost with bee populations in freefall across most of the world. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/11/Consumer_Preference_Relieves_Pressure_on_Indonesian_Forest A major palm oil producer is joining forces with environmental campaigners in a bid to ramp up forest protection. Swiss-based food giant Nestle is among companies that want jungle-sound palm oil. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/10/A_Technology_for_Mars_comes_to_Earth California firm Bloom Energy with its roots in the USA?s Mars space programme has launched its "Electrons" service to enable owners of its energy saving "Bloom Box" to lock in their electricity rates for 10 years. http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/down_to_business/news/read/6/Skoll_Awards:_Impact_Investing Impact investment was the main topic at the Skoll 2011 Entrepreneurship Awards.