Institutions and individuals attempting to reinvigorate American democracy and promote more inclusive, transparent, and efficient government. From hyper-partisanship to disinformation, our democracy is under threat. These stories explore how communities across the country are responding to issues at the heart of our democracy through civic engagement, electoral and political reform, and government innovation.
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2019/09/18/how-indianapolis-reduced-fatal-police-shootings-compared-new-york-chicago/1943601001
Casey Smith
Ryan Martin
Indianapolis Star
18 September 2019
Multi-Media / 1500-3000 Words
Under new leadership, Indianapolis has seen a drastic decline in fatal police shootings. While the new police chief, Bryan Roach, shares credit with his entire force, many credit his new policies for the decline. Initiatives like addressing behavioral health, implicit bias training, and mental health crisis training are just some of the changes being made. While much progress has been made, there is still a ways to go when it comes to rebuilding trust within the community.
https://zora.medium.com/how-women-are-faring-in-the-worlds-largest-refugee-camp-be448e3f46ca?gi=b553c92bbf8f
Jennifer Chowdhury
Zora
17 September 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
In the Kutupalong Refugee Camp in Bangladesh, Rohingya women are overcoming the societal restraints that bound them at home in Myanmar and becoming leaders and change-makers in their community. Despite resistance from the men, hundreds of women in the camp banded together to form a group called Shanti Mohila. This allowed them to push for more peace and justice and issues like domestic violence, and they even received support from Legal Action Worldwide to prosecute crimes against the Rohingya people.
https://www.thetrace.org/2019/09/goodkids-madcity-chicago-gun-violence-prevention
Kim Bellware
The Trace
3 September 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
GoodKids MadCity, an anti-gun violence group that is led by black and brown youth in Chicago is working to create a safer community. Members, most of whom have been directly impacted by gun violence, work together to address the systemic drivers of gun violence in their city, including poverty, trauma, and lack of safe spaces. They do so by creating a community for themselves and by engaging politically – pushing local lawmakers to address the systemic drivers they’ve identified.
https://thegroundtruthproject.org/young-voting-advocates-take-up-the-fight-against-suppression
Milan Polk
The GroundTruth Project
29 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Young advocates for voting rights are fighting back against laws that make it difficult for young people and other marginalized groups to register to vote. Through public campaigns, lawsuits, and voter registration drives, these youth advocates are positioning themselves well as their peers come of age to vote.
https://www.ozy.com/politics-and-power/inside-the-county-that-hit-100-voter-turnout/94387
Nick Fouriezos
OZY
21 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
A rural New Mexico county called Harding County leads the nation in voter turnout, reporting a stunning 97 percent in 2018 and 100 percent in 2012 and 2014. Some residents see voting as a patriotic duty, others point to a sort of public shaming that occurs around voting.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/how-teen-greta-thunberg-shifted-world-s-gaze-climate-change-n1043151
Linda Givetash
NBC News
17 August 2019
Multi-Media / 800-1500 Words
All over the world, more than 2 million children and teens are participating in classroom walkouts in an effort to bring attention to the severity of climate change. Called, Fridays for the Future, leaders of the movement are gaining traction, and have developed a declaration that emphasizes their demand that world leaders do something to stop the rising global temperature. This movement was sparked by Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, who, at 16-years old, has started this movement, spoken to global leaders, and continues to do what’s needed to demand action in the face of climate change.
https://www.hcn.org/articles/tribal-affairs-when-federal-lands-become-tribal-lands-again-public-lands
Anna V. Smith
High Country News
16 August 2019
Multi-Media / 1500-3000 Words
After decades of failed legislation, over 17,000 acres of public land was finally restored to the Umpqua Tribe with the passage of the Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act. The land was a constant source of tension between the tribe, the government, and environmental conservation groups, “under the pretext that Native peoples didn’t know how to manage them.” But in December 2018, with the passage of the Act and the return of 3% of the land that was originally seized, a sense of justice was felt.
https://www.wral.com/as-law-enforcement-nationwide-faces-scrutiny-cameras-protect-both-public-and-officers/18535660
Amanda Lamb
WRAL 5
9 August 2019
Multi-Media / 3-5 Minutes
Across the United States, 95 percent of law enforcement agencies have started using body cameras. In North Carolina, the majority of departments have started using such technology in the hopes of increasing transparency, trust, and accountability. While the use of body cams is wanted by both police and the community, finding the funding to purchase and maintain them has been a challenge for some departments.
https://rewire.news/article/2019/08/02/court-observers-are-shining-a-light-on-the-immigration-court-system
Ari Honarvar
Rewire.News
2 August 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
One way that any ordinary citizen can lend a hand to the plight of those caught in the American immigration system is by being a court observer: someone who sits in immigration court and takes notes by hand. Several organizations are working to develop a standardized way of evaluating judges' treatment of migrants to put it in a central database so that the data can be used to evaluate the human impact by the system as a whole. People who participate testify to the job alleviating despair over the situation as they can mitigate any unfair practices going unnoticed.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/19/could-camdens-climate-assembly-help-fix-democracy-too
Mark Rice-Oxley
The Guardian
19 July 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
In the London borough of Camden, randomly selected locals, including students, builders, civil servants, restauranteurs, and others, came together to discuss what to do about climate change. This climate assembly allows jurors to listen to briefings, pose questions, analyze data, debate, and discuss action items. The council took inspiration from a citizen assembly around abortion in Ireland in 2016 that led to the national referendum in 2018.
https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a28223593/female-rohingya-refugee-camp-block-leaders
Jennifer Chowdhury
Marie Claire
9 July 2019
Text / Under 800 Words
The Shalbagan refugee camp in Bangladesh is one of 30 similar camps to elect leaders, except in this one women made up half of the elected officials. Over 40,000 Rohingya refugees live in the camp, and they come from Myanmar where women rarely held jobs or participated in the community. The new female leaders are getting a lot done here, dealing with anything from making sure that aid is properly distributed amongst them to domestic disputes to monsoon preparation.
https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/how-grassroots-partnerships-are-working-toward-long-term-food-security/article_12f9654a-8d26-11e9-9e21-cb01002d8a71.html
Alexis Allison
Columbia Missourian
3 July 2019
Text / Over 3000 Words
Overcoming the causes of social isolation plays a crucial role in combating food insecurity. From faith-based community meals paired with job programs in Branson, to food recycling initiatives that tap into local markets in Kansas, multiple organizations across Missouri and the United States are developing solutions oriented toward local needs. In some cases, such as the work of Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard in Bloomington, IN, building community leads to political advocacy and civic engagement.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/02/opinion/preaching-faith-in-democracy.html
Courtney E. Martin
The New York Times
2 July 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
Shared expressions of community and fellowship are fostering a non-partisan approach to civic engagement. The nonprofit Citizen University, based in Seattle, Washington, provides small grants to trained community leaders who host Civic Saturdays. The meetings take place across the country in libraries, town centers, and at small businesses. Groups gather to share song, poetry, and to discuss political concepts as ideas on a spectrum, rather than in opposition to one another.
https://datajournalism.com/read/longreads/evidence-of-a-solution
Brent Walth
DataJournalism.com
27 June 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Fact-based, data-driven, and solution-oriented journalism can shift the media paradigm from asking “what” to asking “how.” Solutions journalism, known also as constructive journalism in Europe, focuses on data and evidence to shift discourse from political advocacy and ideological debates to problem-solving and productive discussion. Using this approach, students in Eugene, Oregon, brought accountability to municipal administrators who had previously obfuscated the effectiveness of a program to reduce court caseloads.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/12/us/prosecutor-race-blind-charging.html
Timothy Williams
The New York Times
12 June 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
The San Francisco District Attorney’s office has been instituting “blind charging,” making it impossible to see someone’s name, race, and other demographics before deciding to charge them with a crime. This new practice comes as a response to accusations of racial bias and profiling when deciding whether to pursue a charge – citing that black people are disproportionately targeted within the criminal justice system.
https://www.richlandsource.com/news/paving-rumble-strip-installation-underway-at-site-of-fatal-may/article_0a407dce-8d2d-11e9-bc94-0b6ee8988539.html
Carl Hunnell
Richland Source
12 June 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
A rural intersection in Shelby, Ohio has received a safety makeover: new paving and rumble strips. The intersection was the site of a fatal car accident in May 2019 and Josh Boggs – a father who lost family members in the accident – took it upon himself to demand action. By contacting the county’s commissioner, engineer, and a state representative, he hopes this will be the first of many intersections receiving added safety measures.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/candidates-for-seattle-city-council-have-collected-1-6-million-in-democracy-vouchers-so-far
Daniel Beekman
The Seattle Times
12 June 2019
Multi-Media / 1500-3000 Words
In Seattle, taxpayers are funding a program called democracy vouchers, in which registered voters and other eligible residents receive $25 vouchers that they can contribute toward city council races. In this program unique to Seattle, each donor can contribute up to four vouchers, which are helping to diversify the field for grassroots candidates.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/11/opinion/the-end-of-the-polling-booth.html
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
11 June 2019
Text / 1500-3000 Words
In Washington, Oregon, and Colorado, the traditional polling place has all but disappeared. In its place is the rise of the mail-in ballot, a convenient, inclusive method where states mail ballots to every registered voter--automatically. Evidence from all three of those states, as well as five California counties with a similar initiative, have showed an increase in voter turnout.
https://www.civicstory.org/civics-blog/2019/6/11/the-sights-and-sounds-of-collaboration-in-newark
Donna Liu
CivicStory
11 June 2019
Podcast / 5-15 Minutes
In Newark, New Jersey, an organization called Creative New Jersey brought together over 300 people to take part in over 50 different community improvement conversations during a convening called Call to Collaboration. Participants first brain storm questions, introduce themselves, and then decide which conversations to join. The question askers become conversation leaders, notes are recorded, and on the second day participants create an action plan.
https://www.govtech.com/security/Nonprofits-Free-App-Flags-Suspicious-Changes-to-Voter-Rolls.html
Andrew Westrope
Government Technology (GovTech)
29 May 2019
Text / Under 800 Words
Non-profit organization Protect Democracy has created a free web application called VoteShield, which uses statistics, machine learning, and data visualization to track and flag any unusual changes in local public voter databases. Already in use in 14 states, the application allows secretaries of state and other election administrators to act on and correct these changes before voters get turned away at the polls.
https://www.thetrace.org/2019/05/washington-state-gun-no-buy-list-suicide
Elizabeth Van Brocklin
The Trace
28 May 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
In Washington, state legislators have passed an innovative measure that would allow individuals to suspend their own gun rights. The bill was started as a proactive measure for those experience mental health issues to be able to prevent themselves from harming themselves in the future. While they’re still working on publicizing the new measure, those that do know about it simply have to fill out a short form at any count clerk’s office – the rest is taken care of within 24 hours.
https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/travel/amazon-new-york-headquarters-activist-victory-20190522
Yasmeen Wafai
Yes! Magazine
22 May 2019
Text / Under 800 Words
When Amazon came close to establishing its second headquarters in Long Island City, the Queens borough of New York, community organizing successfully halted the development. Community leaders credit their success to a diverse group of organizations teaming up (like Queens Neighborhoods United and New York Communities for Change), politicians teaming up with the communities they represent, and quick mobilization.
https://thephiladelphiacitizen.org/ideas-we-should-steal-free-childcare-at-city-meetings
Jessica Press
The Philadelphia Citizen
22 May 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
In Ithaca, New York, city meetings are now offering free childcare to parents who want to civically engage but are unable to do so because of childcare responsibilities. Recognizing that their meetings skewed older and whiter than their demographic reality, the city instituted the low cost, high reward policy.
https://time.com/collection-post/5584902/greta-thunberg-next-generation-leaders
Suyin Hayes
Time
16 May 2019
Multi-Media / 1500-3000 Words
Climate change activist, Greta Thunberg, has sparked global action. The 16-year-old has started marches totalling over 1.5 million people, continuous protests and strikes, and spoken to world leaders at events such as the U.N Climate Change Conference and the World Economic Forum. Her activism has had noticeable impacts, like a decline in flight travel in Sweden, and spurring youth activism on an international scale.
https://www.idahostatesman.com/outdoors/article229861774.html
Nicole Blanchard
Idaho Statesman
5 May 2019
Text / 800-1500 Words
A group called Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, now 36,000 strong, is bringing together people from different political and ideological backgrounds over a common interest in the preservation and conservation of public lands and waters. Bucking stereotypes, the group spans the political spectrum, with 33% Independent, 23% Republican, 20% Democrat and 16% unaffiliated in a recent survey. The BHA's recent promotion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund shows that bipartisanship is possible.
Click here
to submit a suggestion for a topic that we should explore next.
Or use the search box below to look for stories in our story database:
Weekly email with three solutions stories illustrating responses that work, pivoting off the latest news moments.
Our issue area taxonomy was adapted from the PCS Taxonomy with definitions by the Foundation Center, which is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International License.
Photos are licensed under Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license / Desaturated from original, and are credited to the following photographers:
Fondriest Environmental, David De Wit / Community Eye Health, Linda Steil / Herald Post, John Amis / UGA College of Ag & Environmental Sciences – OCCS, Andy B, Peter Garnhum, Thomas Hawk, 7ty9, Isriya Paireepairit, David Berger, UnLtd The Foundation For Social Entrepreneurs, Michael Dunne, Burak Kebapci, and Forrest Berkshire / U.S. Army Cadet Command public affairs
Photos are licensed under Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license, and are credited to the following photographers:
Ra'ed Qutena, 段 文慶, Fabio Campo, City Clock Magazine, Justin Norman, scarlatti2004, Gary Simmons, Kathryn McCallum, and Nearsoft Inc
Photos are licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons license / Desaturated from original, and are credited to the following photographers:
Burak Kebapci and SCY.
Photos are licensed under Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) and are credited to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Conference attendee listening to speaker, Jenifer Daniels / Colorstock getcolorstock.com.
Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Sonia Narang
