People Fixing the World

Voter turnout is a problem around the world, particularly in local elections. But a small group of academics and activists in the US are experimenting with a new way of getting people to turn up and put their cross in a box – a lottery. Every voter is entered and one lucky winner gets a big cash prize. World Hacks investigates whether it works.Presenter: Kathleen Hawkins Reporter: Gemma Newby Producer: Tom CollsImage caption: Lottery balls about to be drawn, Image credit: Thomas Samson / Stringer / Getty Images

Food waste is a massive global problem: the EU alone throws away 88 million tonnes a year. Much of this ends up in landfill and produces dangerous greenhouse gasses which contribute to climate change. In Europe 53% of food waste comes from households, and one woman has made it her mission to stop Danes throwing away food. We travel to Copenhagen to meet Selina Juul, a key part of Denmark’s food waste revolution.

This is a story about how the most amazing ideas do not always work how you would like in practise. In theory it is so simple. You put disease-ridden water into a two litre plastic bottle, screw on the lid and leave it in the sun. After six hours on a cloudless day, almost all the bacteria and bugs that cause diseases like cholera and diarrhoea are killed or inactivated by the UV light and gentle warming. Professor Kevin McGuigan has proven this in the lab, but for the last 20 years he has been trying to get it working in rural African communities. It has not been anywhere near as easy as you might think.(Photo: Godfrey putting his water bottle out to disinfect in the sunshine)

A new app is helping blind people solve everyday problems by combining smartphones video technology and an army of armchair volunteers. World Hacks investigates how it works and explores whether micro-volunteering projects like this have the potential to solve all kinds of problems in the future.Presented by Mukul Devichand.Image caption: Vicky, who is blind, using an app to help her sew / Image credit: BBC

The internet is awash with made-up news stories. It’s not a new problem, but the highly charged US election campaign forced people to pay attention. This week on World Hacks we’re speaking to some of those fighting back against what they see as a threat to democracy: the fake news epidemic. We hear from guests including Le Monde’s Samuel Laurent, Democratic State Senator Bill Dodd of California, and Claire Wardle from journalism non-profit First Draft. Presented by Sahar Zand. Produced by Harriet Noble.Image caption: Close up of a computer screen showing a web address, Image credit: Lionel Bonaventure/AFP/Getty Images

In Barcelona, they’re experimenting with a new way of designing the city. Superblocks are vast low-traffic zones, but they’re also deeply controversial. The aim is cut pollution and reclaim public space from the car, but does it work? World Hacks investigates. Presented by Sahar Zand.Image: A superblock from above / Image credit: Google Maps

In one of the most expensive cities in the world, students are moving in with older people who have spare rooms as part of a “homeshare” scheme. The young people in Paris get cheap accommodation and the older people get companionship and support in return. World Hacks reports on the generation-spanning friendships that are blossoming as a result.Presented by Sahar Zand.Photo: Monique and Mikyoung, who are part of the homeshare scheme / Credit: BBC

Most refugees do not have the right to work. In Jordan they’re running an experiment to find out what happens when they’re given that right. They’re handing out work permits to thousands of Syrian refugees in the hope of improving their lives and the health of the economy. Academics say it’s better for everyone, but in the local area – where unemployment is nearly 20% - they’re not convinced. World Hacks reports. Presented by Sahar Zand.Image caption: Syrian refugees make their way in the Zaatari refugee camp / Image credit: Khalil Mazraawi, Getty Images.

Some £600bn is sent home every year by overseas migrant workers, almost four times more than all the countries of the world combined spend on foreign aid.But far from home, many workers fear their families are not spending their money in the right way.World Hacks looks at a two possible solutions for giving them more control over how their hard-earned cash is being used.Presented by Sahar Zand.Image caption: 1000 peso bills in the Philippines / Image credit: Joel Nito, Getty Images.

One in three children in Peru was growing up too short for their age, stunted by a lack of the right foods in their diet.Then in 2005, the government put in place an innovative new system. They gave cash hand-outs to poor mothers but only on the condition that they had regular health check-ups and their children went to school. By 2014 the number of children growing up too small had halved. World Hacks tells the story.Presented by Sahar Zand.Image caption: Mother and child part of the malnutrition programme / Image credit: BBC