By JJB
The aim of this article is to describe
participation platforms that enable new forms of online collaboration on a
range of sustainability and social projects. However, this is not to endorse
every single project or opinion supported by these platforms. Instead, the goal
is to start listing up platforms that have successfully proven to empower
people to implement projects... in order to help us empower each other.
This list is not exhaustive and shall be updated
whenever possible. Please feel free to reach out or leave a comment if you know
of an initiative that should be included in this list.
Perspective Daily is a German online portal for
constructive journalism. The idea is to support and spread journalism that
analyzes problems and - equally as important - existing, realistisc solutions.
Their goal is to move away from sensational headline-driven journalism, towards
an empowering journalism that improves the lives and actions of their readers.
Solar Cookers
International (SCI) - Solar Cooking Wiki
SCI's database is a way for users to find solar cooking expertise. On the one hand, they can do so by clicking on “Build a cooker” or “Buy a cooker”, to see information on different types of solar thermal cookers and how to purchase or build them.
On the other hand, they can click on “Find your country”, to see a list of countries across the world in which projects have already been implemented. This helps increase visibility and to connect people locally in order to share their best practices.
This way, the database may bring together people and allow them to promote projects, discuss and help each other to build the capacity to use solar cooking as a tool for development and empowerment.
By using the heat of the sun for cooking/making water safe to drink, solar cookers not only preserve the environment and mitigate severe health problems caused by smoke intoxication. Solar cookers also allow families and communities to spend time and money on more rewarding activities, instead of surveilling the fireplace, spending hours to collect wood or using scarce financial means to purchase fuel or wood.
Moreover, solar cooking is a simple, scalable, affordable way to contribute to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Global Citizen
According to their website, "Global Citizen is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030. On [their] platform, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards for their actions - as part of a global community committed to lasting change." Indeed, users can earn rewards by participating in social projects. In return, these rewards can be used to purchase concert tickets for example, allowing participants to see some of today's most famous musicians and performers.
Bettervest
Bettervest is a Germany-based crowd investment platform that allows users to invest money in sustainable energy-related projects around the world, starting from as little as 50 EUR, with returns on investment ranging from 4 to 12%. It requires the will to take some risk (read their disclosure and Terms&Conditions before you make your decision; EUPlanet cannot be held responsible), as there is no guarantee that the project's return rate will be fully met, but the team's long list of successful projects might reassure the user.
Wiseed
Similar to Bettervest, Wiseed is a French platform for crowd investments that initially featured only investment opportunities in energy- and sustainability-related projects. However, they have diversified since then, and now also offer real estate opportunities and other types of crowd investment. Yet, their sustainability branch is still functional, which justifies including Wiseed in this list.
As for Bettervest: read Wiseed's disclosure and Terms&Conditions before you make your investment decision, as some risk is involved and EUPlanet cannot be held responsible.
SCI's database is a way for users to find solar cooking expertise. On the one hand, they can do so by clicking on “Build a cooker” or “Buy a cooker”, to see information on different types of solar thermal cookers and how to purchase or build them.
On the other hand, they can click on “Find your country”, to see a list of countries across the world in which projects have already been implemented. This helps increase visibility and to connect people locally in order to share their best practices.
This way, the database may bring together people and allow them to promote projects, discuss and help each other to build the capacity to use solar cooking as a tool for development and empowerment.
By using the heat of the sun for cooking/making water safe to drink, solar cookers not only preserve the environment and mitigate severe health problems caused by smoke intoxication. Solar cookers also allow families and communities to spend time and money on more rewarding activities, instead of surveilling the fireplace, spending hours to collect wood or using scarce financial means to purchase fuel or wood.
Moreover, solar cooking is a simple, scalable, affordable way to contribute to all 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Global Citizen
According to their website, "Global Citizen is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030. On [their] platform, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards for their actions - as part of a global community committed to lasting change." Indeed, users can earn rewards by participating in social projects. In return, these rewards can be used to purchase concert tickets for example, allowing participants to see some of today's most famous musicians and performers.
Bettervest
Bettervest is a Germany-based crowd investment platform that allows users to invest money in sustainable energy-related projects around the world, starting from as little as 50 EUR, with returns on investment ranging from 4 to 12%. It requires the will to take some risk (read their disclosure and Terms&Conditions before you make your decision; EUPlanet cannot be held responsible), as there is no guarantee that the project's return rate will be fully met, but the team's long list of successful projects might reassure the user.
Wiseed
Similar to Bettervest, Wiseed is a French platform for crowd investments that initially featured only investment opportunities in energy- and sustainability-related projects. However, they have diversified since then, and now also offer real estate opportunities and other types of crowd investment. Yet, their sustainability branch is still functional, which justifies including Wiseed in this list.
As for Bettervest: read Wiseed's disclosure and Terms&Conditions before you make your investment decision, as some risk is involved and EUPlanet cannot be held responsible.
