Do you know any impactful social responsible projects?
Many of us appreciate tools that save us time or money in our businesses. But there are also projects out there with a bigger mission (improving lives, supporting the planet, and helping those in need, to name a few).
Do you know of any inspiring projects that aim to make the world a better place?
Feel free to share them! (Bonus points for those projects that save lives, and you personally know the founders.)
Here are a few of my picks:
đ± Ecosia â A search engine that uses its ad revenue to plant trees.
đ„ Olio â A food-sharing app that connects neighbours and local businesses to prevent food waste.
đ„ Too Good To Go â An app that helps reduce food waste by letting users buy unsold food from restaurants, bakeries, and shops at a lower price.
đŸ Petfinder â A platform that connects people with adoptable pets in shelters across the U.S.
đïž Litterati â A global community that identifies, maps, and collects litter.
Replies
đ» Coding for Kids (Pakistan-based) â A small, grassroots initiative I once supported that offers free computer and coding classes to kids in low-income communities. Watching their curiosity bloom into skills was incredibly rewarding.
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@hamza_afzal_butt You got the point. This is what I meant! :) Something that can improve the lives (or future) of others.
Well, I'm working on my impact startup Green Wedge :)
The main idea behind it is to give individuals an opportunity to gradually build a tangible, positive environmental impact by joining forest restoration at scale, and to make it as easy and convenient as possible while addressing downsides of existing solutions.
I'm just writing a thread about our partnerships, which could make our project bigger than the famous #TeamTrees initiative! Now we just need more people to get our planting plans, to make it happen! đł
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@karl_mechkin I was thinking about you! :) Who have you tried to reach out to?
@busmark_w_nika The biggest success we have with partners for our field works. Several municipalities and forestry services expressed interest in such partnership, so far pledging land for over 10 million trees :)
We don't have that much luck on the user acquisition side. Although we have first few subscribers to our planting plans from the EU and the US, it is still a bit short of our first goal, which will allow us to comfortably go with planting. We have difficulties getting feedback from any organization, media outlet or individuals, such as climate ambassadors, and have been ghosted many times.
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@karl_mechkin If municipalities with cities and official organisations work, maybe there is a way. I am sorry to hear that ambassadors and media outlets are so ignorant but this is usual practice. It has happened many times. Usually they will notice you when you are already at the top (But in such case, you may not have time and will not be interested in them anymore :D)
Triforce Todos
Love this topic, Nika. It's great to see tools that actually try to make a difference in the world.
One project I really like is Be My Eyes, it connects blind or visually impaired people with volunteers who can help them through a live video call. Super simple idea but really powerful.
Also, I came across Seabin Project a while ago, they install floating bins in the ocean to collect plastic and waste. Feels like the kind of small action that can add up to something big.
Thanks for sharing your list. I am going to check out a few of these now!
Anyone else got more suggestions? Always looking for inspiring stuff like this.
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@abod_rehman I think that I have heard about Be My Eyes (now one of those tech giants, I dunno whether Meta or so) is also trying to do the same. Didn't know about the Seabin Project. I will have a look. Thank you for sharing :)
Yes! Ecosia plants trees with every web search, helping fight deforestation. Charity: Water brings clean drinking water to communities in need.
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@ira_m_cassidy Thank you for adding one more important. It would be great to have more improvements in climate change.
TrueMe - It's a lifestyle app, solving the problem of loneliness: https://trueme.space/.
(P.S. - I am the founder)
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@aleksandra_trueme Where did the idea come from? I mean â were you e.g. inspired by elderly people, or singles or?
@busmark_w_nika
The inspiration came from my life story:
For a long time, I didnât like myself. I struggled with an eating disorder and loneliness. I tried to ârun my pain out,â running obsessively every morning until doctors warned me I might end up in a wheelchair. I was forced to stop and replaced running with yoga and meditation.
I began a journey inward with the goal to âstart loving myself.â Along the way, I realized that self-love is extremely hardâmostly because I had been conditioned to confuse love with achievement. It took me years to become curious about who I really amânot who Iâm supposed to be or want to be, but what truly brings me joy and makes my heart sing.
This journey taught me that it all comes down to a choice: constantly choosing myself, taking care of my needs, listening to my body and emotions, and trusting my inner knowing. Itâs a habit I need to formâa habit of being kind to myself. And this habit can be taught.
The only solution to loneliness is human connection. And the first step toward building stronger connections with others is building a stronger connection with yourself. Thatâs why I created TrueMeâan AI-powered platform designed to help people cultivate self-trust and authentic self-connection, so they can foster real-world relationships
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@aleksandra_trueme Ufff, that's a strong story and I share your pain. đ I have to say that people with ED are usually very ambitious because they can be strict on themselves and go beyond their capabilities (which is sometimes harmful). But I am so happy to read these lines, tho I know this is not healed even after years. Wish you all the best on this journey of self-improvement.
@busmark_w_nika @aleksandra_trueme Reading your story made my heart acheâI can feel the pain and strength in your journey. What youâre doing with TrueMe is truly beautiful; turning your struggles into a way to help others is so inspiring. Wishing you endless happiness and fulfillment ahead. The world needs more of this light. đ
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@aleksandra_trueme P.S. When is the launch? :)
@busmark_w_nika We are launching on the 11th of July on PH but you can download Beta from our website, both iOS and Android. I would love to hear your thoughts!!!!
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@aleksandra_trueme Can you message me then on LI? :)
@busmark_w_nika Just send you a connection request on Ln. Talk soon!
Thanks for this inspiring thread, @busmark_w_nika ! đ± Itâs refreshing to see tech used for real impact. I wish there were more projects like this in Asiaâespecially in Indonesia, where social challenges often feel grudgingly overwhelming. Iâve actually been brainstorming ideas that maybe help Indonesia, but finding like-minded collaborators here is tough. Would love to connect with others in the PH community who are passionate about building solutions for Indonesia, with Indonesia. The world needs more of this energy!
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@rani_zagita This gave me an idea to create some categories on PH according to location, so people could match easily.
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@rani_zagita Yesterday found this https://www.foundersaround.com/ by @leonagano I think that through such projects, you could find good people to team up with.
FoundersAround
@rani_zagita @busmark_w_nika Hi Nika, thank you for mentioning my project. Hopefuly it'll be helpful to meet likeminded people
Atlas
@busmark_w_nika oooo! if you're in the US, Hushline.app is a good app. It's a whistleblower tool and a nonprofit. Whistleblowing sounds really ominous, but it can be setup internally as an HR feedback tool.
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@laura_cruickshanks Sounds cool! What is their main social responsibility aim?
Hi Nika! This is a great question, and it's especially inspiring to see projects that don't just focus on making a profit, but actually want to make the world a little better!đ
In China, Alibaba's â88 Carbon Accountsâ project encourages users to make more environmentally friendly choices in their daily lives.đ
For example, ordering takeout without utensils, using public transportation more often, and so on. All of these behaviors can be recorded and perceived. It's a good idea to gamify and score points for environmental behaviors, so that more people can âReduce carbon footprint easilyâ. Their Cainiao Logistics has replaced a huge amount of paper bills with electronic bills, which is also a very practical contribution to carbon reduction.đŁ
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@partick_support Wait! Do they have any separate system for a delivery that is more "green" towards logistics?
+1 for Litterati. Saw a local school use it as a gameâkids were racing to clean up trash. Tech + community = win.