Addressing Unemployment and Poverty in Togo through Local Empowerment

Problem Statement: The situation in Togo, West Africa, is dire, with pervasive unemployment and extreme poverty affecting its populace. A common pitfall in many developing regions is the imposition of external solutions by foreign NGOs, disregarding the perspectives, beliefs, and contributions of the local communities. Furthermore, the lack of financial transparency within NGO’s compounds the issue, as donors often remain unaware of how their contributions are allocated, spent, and the actual outcomes they achieve.

Proposed Solution: We introduce Impact Stream as the comprehensive remedy to these challenges. Our progressive web application, launched in July 2023, empowers individuals within Togo to actively engage in their community's development. Through this app, Togolese participants may submit any implementable public good project proposals; a medical clinic, a clean water well, anything they decide and secure funding for their execution. This process fosters collaboration among community members and elicits responses to pivotal questions, encompassing issues such as problem identification, solution sustainability, and key stakeholders involved.

As the submission deadline approaches, the proposals are shared on a communal forum, where community members cast their votes. This democratic process accomplishes two vital goals:

Identifying proposals of utmost significance and community interest. Determining the allocation of funds to selected projects.

Who is behind it? In this endeavor, Supermodular, Gitcoin, ProtaVentures, and International Literacy and Development have forged a collaborative alliance with Impact Stream, pooling their expertise and resources.

How will we utilize the funds? Contributions will be channeled into a matching pool, which will be subsequently allocated among members of the Togolese community capable of executing the proposed initiatives.

Why Impact Stream? Numerous non-profit entities attempt to address non-Western challenges, often dominated by Western perspectives. However, we envision a paradigm shift wherein capital and responsibility are placed directly in the hands of those undergoing adversity. We propose that the most profound transformations arise from within the community itself, orchestrated by its entrepreneurs and skilled workforce. The integration of blockchain technology serves as a facilitator, enabling coordinated efforts that lead to unparalleled community development.

Major Updates from Q1 2023(since project start): Since its start, the project has witnessed significant advancements, as outlined in our roadmap. The administration of funds will be overseen by Will Little, Michelle Schubert, and team members on the ground in Togo to ensure prudent allocation and impactful execution.

We have built a progressive web application (PWA) located at https://app.impact.stream. This app has onboarded dozens of Togolese who are currently working on their proposal submissions.

In addition, board members Will Little, Hans Mulders, and Michelle Schubert traveled to Togo in mid-July 2023 to visit the community there associated with International Literacy and Development (https://ilad.ngo). This visit produced a large amount of video, image, and audio content that will be used for promotion in the coming weeks and months.

Harnessing the Power of Open Source: Leveraging Open Source Potential for Global Transformation: Extending Impact Beyond Togo

Seeding Change, Globally: In essence, as the Impact Stream initiative garners success and attains its objectives in Togo, it simultaneously seeds a legacy of positive transformation across borders. The open source model serves as the vehicle through which impactful strategies traverse continents, building upon the foundations established in Togo to create a worldwide ecosystem of change-makers and problem-solvers.

In conclusion, our commitment to open source principles is not only a testament to the values of transparency and collaboration but also a strategic approach to amplifying the reach and effectiveness of our initiative. As we embark on this journey, we invite the global community to contribute, learn, and collectively usher in a new era of community-driven development, fostering change that transcends borders and empowers lives.

Funds will be administered by

• Will Little
• Michelle Schubert