Archive - Aug 2011
August 15th
Become friends with a heroin junky
The Dutch charity Ikgebruik helps drug addicts to get clean. The organization started a special Facebook profile for the drug addict Monica. On this page, Monica shares her life and struggles to get clean from heroin & cocaine. Monica hopes that the many Facebook friends will give her the support she needs to get clean and stay clean.
Why it matters
By making it possible to get really close to the problem, consumers will become more emotionally connected, motivating them to help. What other social causes could leverage this kind of personable opportunity made possible by social networks?
Your soul (animal) mate
Doggelganger is an online pairing tool for people and pet dogs. Facial recognition software matches a photo of you with a dog, chosen from a database of homeless dogs.
Why it matters
Pedigree have found a fun way to encourage the rehoming of dogs, founded on the insight that people look like their pets. What other forms of innovative software could be utilised for social causes?
One euro to make a difference
The One Euro Movement asks people to donate just one Euro each to go towards a variety of causes within the economy, health, the environment, culture and education. Every month, the money raised (as much as the number of members) will be given to a cause chosen by the donors who can vote online for their favourite recipient.
Why it matters
The One Euro Movement proves that with little effort and expense, every individual can influence positive change. What other ways will we see charitable causes hand over power to their audience in order to encourage donations?
