April Social Impact News Roundup: Tech-Enabled Social Innovation

The Role of AI in Social Innovation

A new report from the World Economic Forum explores the role of AI in social innovation, drawing on a dataset of 300 innovators and 90 initiatives. It found that AI is already making significant contributions in areas like healthcare, climate action, and economic empowerment (like these 15 AI-enabled enterprises from our network.) Another notable finding was that women are under-represented in AI for social innovation compared to the social innovation space as a whole. To realize AIs potential without exacerbating existing inequalities or creating new forms of exclusion, collective action is needed to overcome the lack of localized ecosystem development, data biases, ethics, and data governance. Find a complete breakdown of the report’s key takeaways in our summary here.

Taking Action for the Planet

Earth Day 2024 came and went – so, now what? If you care about the climate, the rise and fall of these hype cycles leads to a new type of mental distress called “ecoanxiety” or “climate anxiety”. But there is something you can do to manage this feeling of existential dread. According to the Harvard Medical School, “As uncertainty and a loss of control characterize climate anxiety, the best treatment is to take action.” Climate tech entrepreneurs around the world are doing that every day (like these 10 enterprises from our network.) But you don’t have to be an entrepreneur to make a difference – here are 3 ways that you can contribute, no matter what kind of job you have.

SMEs Leading the Transition to a Waste-Free World

Small and medium enterprises are on the front lines of creating a waste-free world (like these 15 from our network) with innovative approaches to recycling and upcycling. A new insight paper from TRANSFORM delves into best practices for success in this notoriously low-margin sector, like moving higher up the plastics value-chain, reducing reliance on prices set by offtakers, and diversifying their income streams and waste-supplier network. Check out all 7 insights in the full entrepreneur insight report here.

Social Impact Job Openings

• Afrik Transcend is hiring for the following positions (application form here):
  • Senior Business Director (remote based in Africa)
  • Vice President of Compliance & Finance (remote based in Africa)
  • Customer & Relationship Manager (remote based in Africa)
  • Vice President for Operations & Logistics (remote based in Africa)
• Alterna is hiring for a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist (hybrid out of Guatemala)
• Audible is hiring for a Head of Social Impact (based in Newark, NJ)
• Circulate Capital is hiring for an Investment Manager, Brazil (remote)
• Evidence Action is hiring for a Budget Analyst (based in Washington, D.C.)
• GitLab is hiring for an ESG Manager, Volunteerism and Social Impact (remote)
• IBM is hiring for a Corporate Social Responsibility Program Manager (based in São Paulo, Brazil)
• Lego Group is hiring for a Senior Manager, Global Programs (hybrid out of Boston, MA)
• Mercy Corps Ventures is hiring for multiple positions, including:
  • Data Protection and Operations Coordinator (based in The Hague, NL)
  • Director, People Team Europe (based in London, UK)
  • Program Performance & Quality Advisor (based in West or Central Africa)
• Obama Foundation is hiring for an Associate, Public Engagement (based in Chicago, IL)
• One Acre Fund is hiring for a US Operations Associate (based in New York, NY)
• Tides is hiring for an Advisor, Philanthropic Services – Social Change Leaders (remote out of US) 
• Village Capital is hiring for multiple Senior Partnerships Associates (multiple locations)
• WEConnect International is hiring for multiple positions, including:
  • Head of Corporate Relations and Member Engagement (based in Washington, D.C.)
  • Women-Owned Business Development Coordinator (remote out of India)
  • Market Lead Contractor (based in UK or Ireland)
• Without by Ashaya is hiring for multiple positions, including:
  • Research Analyst (based in Pune, India)
  • Process Engineer (based in Pune, India)
  • Accounting Analyst (based in Pune, India)

Upcoming Events & New Programs

• May 6: Deadline to apply to LIFT: Accelerating Equitable Health Innovation 2024, open to entrepreneurs building non-medical solutions that address disparities in the social drivers of health.
• May 9: Join the TRANSFORM Support Hub for “How to Map Your Business Ecosystem,” an interactive workshop designed to help you optimize your internal operations so you can work more effectively and efficiently. Learn more and register here.
• May 10: Deadline to apply to Greentech accelerators in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. 
• May 17: Join the Skoll Center for Social Entrepreneurship for “The Role of Finance in Building Resilience” Workshop to explore how finance can be better used to encourage resilience building and climate adaptation. Learn more and register here.

Congratulations to…

• Atlas AI was awarded Google Cloud’s 2024 Partner of the Year Award in the category of Industry Sustainability Solutions!
• BURN presented at the inaugural Kenya Carbon Market Conference, and is working with the Kenyan government as they develop a regulatory framework for the Kenyan carbon market! 
• EcoMak Recyclers was recognized in the latest One Young World Impact Report!
• Elli was named a semifinalist of HITLAB’s Breakthrough Alliance Challenge!
• Greenspoon published its 2023 Sustainability Report
• Jobecam was featured in Forbes for its innovative approach, enabled by AI, to tackle bias in hiring and recruitment! 
• Kaka Cesspool Services proudly joined the Sanitation accelerator for Uganda and Kenya!
• Leiho published its 2023 Impact Report, sharing all of the partners and impact achieved through its purposeful e-commerce store!
• Mark Sultan Gersava, Founder of Bambuhay, was the recipient of a prestigious JCI Philippines Outstanding Young Men Award 2023!
• Ronald Mugaiga, Founder of Ecomak Recyclers, has been accepted into Youth Business International Bootcamp and shortlisted for a Social Impact Award!
• Social Lab Environmental Solutions received a GIZ project contract to create EPR and Plastic Waste Management Roadmap 2030 for the state of Goa in India!
• SuperBetter announced a new partnership with American Student Assistance to teach teens from diverse backgrounds their resilience-building mental framework! 
• WASHKING was selected as one of the innovations invited to be part of this year’s exhibition by the MK&G museum in Hamburg, Germany!

A Final Bit of Inspiration

“At its heart, AI isn’t just about codes, algorithms, or cutting-edge technology. It’s a reflection of our societal values and our collective aspirations. And in a world of diversity, our AI solutions must echo the universal chant of inclusivity, ensuring no one is left behind in this technological renaissance.”

Enamul Haque