Storytelling for Impact — quick guide

Purpose: Short guides for teams to write clear stories for judges and the public.

Structure to Tell Your Project Story

The place & problem (1–2 sentences)
The human story (a quote or short story)
What you tried (1–2 sentences)
What you learned (2–3 bullet points)
What comes next (1–2 sentences)

Example Story (copyable)

Waste-to-Value in Sabon Gari Market

The place & problem: Sabon Gari market generates over 200kg of plastic waste daily, most of which ends up blocking drainage systems and creating health hazards for the 5,000+ daily vendors and shoppers.

The human story: “Every morning I sweep plastic bottles from my stall entrance,” says Amina, a vegetable vendor. “When it rains, the drains overflow because of all the plastic. My goods get damaged, and customers don’t want to walk through the mess.”

What we tried: We installed a collection drum with a simple SMS-based reward system where collectors earn micro-payments for each kilogram of plastic deposited, verified by a local weighing station.

What we learned:

Trust is built slowly—vendors needed three weeks to believe the payment system was real
Visual feedback matters—a simple painted fill-level marker on the drum increased participation by 40%
Local champions are essential—one enthusiastic vendor recruited 15 others

What comes next: We’re testing a second drum location and working with the local recycling cooperative to create a sustainable collection route. Our goal is to have five drums operational by the end of the month, with a long-term plan for vendor-led stewardship.

Tips for Strong Stories

Be specific: Use numbers, names (with consent), and concrete details
Show, don’t tell: Include photos, quotes, and real observations
Focus on people: Technology is the tool, not the hero
Be honest: Share what didn’t work—it shows learning and builds trust