[NextBillion News] New site features and activities

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NextBillion News vol. 11 February 15, 2006
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Where Business and Development Meet

[Contents]

1. Activity Database: Refined search and focus

2. Activity Spotlight: WorldWater and Coconets

3. Blogs, Newsroom, and Activity Database feature new sectors

4. Site-wide RSS feeds

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1. Activity Database: Refined search and focus

Reflecting NextBillion.net’s focus on the BOP not only as consumers but also producers--i.e., entrepreneurs and employees--NextBillion’s Activity Database now features a new “consumer/producer” search option to separate projects that bring goods and services from those that create jobs, from those that bring both. Other search options include browsing by sector and geographic location (country or region). Nearly 300 project capsules document some of the most innovative business mechanisms currently delivering development benefits.

http://www.nextbillion.net/activitycapsule

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3. Activity Spotlight: WorldWater and Coconets

Projects that are able to bring both jobs and services to the BOP are particularly intriguing evidence of how businesses and innovation can foster local self-sufficiency. WorldWater and Coconets, both operating in the Philippines, use simple technologies to allow low-income communities to turn previously untapped natural resources into low-cost products with high demand in their own communities.

WorldWater’s unique offering of solar powered pumps drawing water from high groundwater levels, and prepaid AquaCards purchasable at locally managed associations, has reduced water prices while generating enough revenue to achieve sustainability.

Juboken Enterprises produce fertilizer and erosion-prevention “coconets” from coconut husks, cheap and plentiful in the Philippines. These products are sold to Filipino customers and involve the work of over 1600 Filipino farmers.

WorldWater:
http://www.nextbillion.net/activitycapsule/1288


Coconets:
http://www.nextbillion.net/activitycapsule/juboken-enterprise-coconet

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3. Blogs, Newsroom, and Activity Database feature new categories

Business opportunities in more sectors at the BOP have inspired additional categories for three main NextBillion sections. Blog and Newsroom items share the same sector "Topics" that now include General Banking (e.g., savings and loans programs), Microfinance, and Remittances, under the broad heading, Financial Services. In addition to these sectors, the Activity Database features the new sector categories: IT Hardware, Software, Business Development, Investment, Housing, and Water. Happy browsing!

Find blogs, news, and projects by sector:
http://www.nextbillion.net/blogtopics
http://www.nextbillion.net/activitycapsule

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4. Site-wide RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feeds

Receive the headlines, blogs, and activity capsules that you want, delivered straight to your email, desktop, or even website without requiring you to search for the information on NextBilliion. New RSS feeds allow users to customize content by type (e.g., news or activities) and sector with just a few clicks:

http://www.nextbillion.net/rss

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NextBillion News vol. 11, February 15, 2006

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this newsletter, please visit: http://www.nextbillion.net/newsletter

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) will send you www.NextBillion.net headlines either to your desktop or via email. Read more about what RSS can do: http://www.nextbillion.net/rss

We welcome reader comments sent to info@nextbillion.net.

Thank you,
Development Through Enterprise Team
World Resources Institute

http://www.nextbillion.net
http://www.wri.org
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