evenimpact

In the city of Mar del Plata, there are many nonprofits that conduct activities related to the 2030 Agenda but they often struggle to find funds to finance their initiatives. This interferes with their ability to innovate, grow and fully support the Sustainable Development Goals, leading to a lack of progress towards achieving the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

This lack of funding is a major barrier to the growth and success of these
nonprofits. Without adequate funding, they are unable to innovate and develop new programs or initiatives that could help further their mission. They also have a harder time scaling their existing programs and reaching more people in need. Additionally, without funds, they are unable to build a strong team or invest in the necessary infrastructure and equipment that is required to conduct their activities.

Without the work of these nonprofits, the community will be less equipped to address these important issues. For example, without funding for poverty reduction programs, more people in the community may struggle to meet their basic needs.

Similarly, without funding for programs that promote gender equality, the community may not be able to fully address issues such as discrimination and unequal opportunities for women and other marginalized groups.

Furthermore, the lack of funding for nonprofits also affects the community's ability to innovate and implement new solutions to address these issues. Currently, 543 organizations can be found in the Registry of Public Welfare Organizations of the Mar del Plata. These are oriented towards different social purposes, and it is important to highlight that close to 30% (159) can be included in the theme of inclusion of people in situations of social vulnerability, whether in Health,Rights or Social Development. Without adequate funding, nonprofits are unable to conduct the necessary research and development work that is required to identify new and effective ways of addressing these problems. This can lead to a lack of progress and a perpetuation of the same issues over time.

There might be multiple reasons behind this, but this report focuses on understanding if this lack of funding could be connected to the commitment of the private sector in the 2030 Agenda proposed by the United Nations. Even though companies are many times concerned in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the different ways they decide to get involved are not always efficient.

In summary, the issue of funding for nonprofits in Mar del Plata should not only be a concern for the nonprofits themselves, but also for companies and organizations that are committed to achieving the SDGs locally. These nonprofits play a crucial role in addressing sustainable development, and without adequate funding, their ability to do so is threatened.

It is important to address this problem in order to ensure that the SDGs are
met and the community is able to thrive. By bringing together the different
stakeholders and working to find solutions we can help to ensure that these
nonprofits have the resources they need to make a positive impact on the community.

The solution includes multiple aspects.

1. Crowdfunding platform

Specifically designed for small-scale sustainable development projects, utilizing blockchain technology for secure and transparent transactions. The stakeholders would be the nonprofits and enterprises and the key activity to facilitate connections between them using AI to match the most suitable projects to the funders. The objectives would be to support SDG-oriented projects created by nonprofits to access funding and to promote sustainable development and socially responsible business practices.

2. Strategies for social projects follow-up

Another aspect would be to provide a valuable tool for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the projects, which will help companies make more informed decisions about where to invest and how to allocate resources. This service will empower the projects that are already in place, by making sure that donors have access to the information they need to understand impact and the reach of their investment. The tool would use Big Data to provide accurate and real-time insights on the funding.

A precise follow up of the funding would make the difference from other opportunities now available. With the correct support, small scale nonprofits in Mar del Plata would be able to display their progress making funding intermittency disappear and securing the necessary resources to develop their activities. By periodically relaying information and sharing it appropriately, durability in funding could become possible and small projects would be able to attract new investment.

3. Comunicate companies social and environmental impact

The last key aspect would be to help enterprises measure and communicate with transparency the value of their sustainability efforts to consumers and other stakeholders. By providing tools and resources, communication would allow them to increase transparency and trust with their consumers. The communication tools would make use of AI and Big Data to provide personalized and actionable insights on the social and environmental impact of the companies.

Our solution serves both corporations and nonprofits. By linking companies' commitment to the SDGs with ongoing social projects that are in need of funding, corporations can meet their annual corporate social responsibility goals, build a stronger reputational relationship with their clients, and upgrade their brand value by making visible their commitment to sustainable development. This allows corporations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability in a meaningful and visible way.

The target population for this solution are nonprofits who are currently underserved in terms of funding and access to resources. These nonprofits are often working on local projects that address social and environmental issues, but may not have the funding or resources needed to achieve their goals. By connecting these nonprofits with corporations who are committed to the SDGs, we can provide access to funding and resources that can help improve the sustainability and durability of these projects.

Additionally, by increasing communication and transparency between corporations and their customers, we can help create a more informed and engaged public that can support these sustainability efforts. This solution addresses the needs of both corporations and nonprofits by providing access to funding, resources, and visibility, which can help make a real difference in achieving the 2030 Agenda.

One of the key benefits of this project is its ability to adapt and cater to different groups based on the specific purpose of each company that decides to finance a project. This flexibility enables continuous assistance for support to groups such as children, discriminated minorities, and other vulnerable populations because of structural inequalities. Additionally, the project can quickly respond to urgent needs, such as natural disasters, and provide short-term collaboration to those impacted. Overall, this adaptability allows for efficient and targeted support for a range of groups in need.

My team and I are well-positioned to deliver this solution because of our unique blend of skills, experiences, and passion for making a meaningful impact in our community. As a nonprofit co-founder, I have firsthand experience with the challenges of finding funding for small-scale sustainable development projects. My skills in grant writing, fundraising, and event planning have been instrumental in finding funding for our organization. Additionally, my ability to think creatively and come up with outside-the-box solutions has helped our organization stand out in a competitive environment and secure funding from sources that may not have been considered before.

Furthermore, my team members bring a diverse set of skills to the table. We have team members who have experience in business development, marketing and communications, and technology development. These skills will be essential in creating and implementing a crowdfunding platform that is secure, transparent, and easy to use. Additionally, our team has experience working with the latest technologies which will allow us to provide valuable tools for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the projects and communicate the value of the sustainability efforts to consumers and other stakeholders.

In terms of understanding the experiences of those we serve, my life, volunteer, and work experiences have helped me understand the challenges that nonprofits face in finding funding and the impact that lack of funding can have on sustainable development projects. One particularly good example of this is a project called “Escuela de Mar y Playa” created by the Scholas Occurrentes Foundation. This initiative aims to provide access to the sport of surfing and the enjoyment of the ocean to underprivileged communities in Mar del Plata and despite the big structure of the foundation still struggles to get access to all the resources they need to develop their activities.

Additionally, my team members come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, which allows them to bring a unique perspective to the table and understand the experiences of those we serve.

Lastly, we are passionate about making a meaningful impact in our community and are committed to continuous learning and improvement. We are committed to learning more about business development, economic and administrative tasks related to finance, budgeting, financial analysis, and forecasting, as well as leadership and management skills. Additionally, we believe that partnerships with other organizations, businesses, and government agencies can be a great way to leverage our resources and maximize our impact in the community. 

As the platform has not yet been launched, the primary goal is to significantly increase the number of people being served. To achieve this, the team is working on making ongoing investments more durable and impactful by also improving the communication of the donors with their consumers. Currently, the initiative is working with one project, "Escuela de Mar y Playa" by Scholas Ocurrentes in Mar del Plata, Argentina, which receives funding from three companies and works with a target group of over 30 children.

In this stage, the aim is to develop a comprehensive strategy for effective communication and follow-up with the companies involved. This includes using different communication channels, such as social media, email, and events, to keep the companies informed about the progress of the projects, the impact of their investments, and the opportunities to get involved in new projects. Additionally, the initiative will work on creating transparency and accountability mechanisms that allow the companies to communicate the impact of their investments to their consumers.

Mar del Plata has a population of almost 50 thousand children who can not satisfy their basic needs, which highlights the importance of this initiative in creating a more equal society. The aim is to at least have 3 times the number of companies committed to the initiative so that at least 3 to 5 nonprofits can obtain funds, and when selecting the initiatives available, the number of people reached by each project should be a relevant aspect to take into account. With this approach, the initiative aims to increase the number of people being served by providing private funding for sustainable development projects, and promoting transparency and accountability in the use of these funds. Additionally, the initiative would foster a relationship of trust and engagement between companies, nonprofits, and consumers, which would ultimately lead to a greater impact.

I am applying to Solve because I believe that the Solve community can provide the necessary support and connections to help my solution scale and reach its full potential. Solve has a strong track record of supporting innovative ideas and solutions that address the world's most pressing challenges. I am confident that by being part of Solve, I will be able to access a network of experts, investors, and mentors who can provide valuable insights, feedback, and connections to help my solution grow.

In terms of specific barriers, I face several challenges that I believe Solve can help me overcome. Firstly, there are financial barriers. Developing and implementing the technology required to build a secure and transparent crowdfunding platform can be expensive, and I believe that Solve can help me access the necessary funding and resources to make this a reality. Secondly, there are technical challenges. Building a platform that matches suitable projects to funders using AI requires advanced technical expertise, and I hope to find technical partners within the Solve community who can provide guidance and support.

Thirdly, there are legal and cultural barriers. Implementing a blockchain-based crowdfunding platform requires navigating complex legal and cultural considerations, particularly around data privacy and security. I believe that Solve can help me navigate these barriers by connecting me with legal and cultural experts who can provide guidance and support.

Finally, there are market barriers. To be successful, my solution needs to be adopted and embraced by the nonprofit, enterprise, and investor communities. I believe that Solve can help me overcome these market barriers by connecting me with relevant stakeholders and providing access to market research and insights.

In summary, I am applying to Solve because I believe that Solve can help me overcome the financial, technical, legal, cultural, and market barriers that my solution faces. I am not only looking for funding, but also for access to a network of experts, investors, and mentors who can provide valuable feedback, guidance, and support to help my solution succeed. I am excited to be part of the Solve community and to work together to create sustainable, impactful solutions that address the world's most pressing challenges.

The solution described provides a new approach to the problem of limited access to private funding for nonprofit organizations in Mar del Plata, Argentina by bringing together the business and nonprofit sectors in a mutually beneficial way. By linking the success of nonprofit initiatives related to the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development with the financial gain of businesses, the solution aims to increase private funding for these projects. Additionally, the solution promotes transparency and accountability by tracking money and providing information on projects, which can be used to communicate the efforts of companies to consumers and create brand value. This approach is innovative and could potentially change the market in Mar del Plata by encouraging more businesses to invest in sustainable development projects and increasing access to funding for nonprofits working on these issues. It could also have broader positive impacts by serving as a model for similar initiatives in other regions. This solution could be catalytic in several ways:

1. Changing the market: By linking the financial gain of businesses with the success of nonprofit initiatives, this solution could change the perception of business social responsibility in Mar del Plata and encourage more companies to invest in sustainable development projects. This could lead to an increase in private funding for these projects, making it more feasible for nonprofits to achieve their goals.
2. Encouraging broader adoption: By providing a model for linking business and nonprofit sectors, this solution could inspire similar initiatives in other regions. This could lead to more widespread adoption of this approach and increase access to private funding for sustainable development projects globally.
3. Promoting transparency and accountability: By tracking money and providing information on projects, this solution could increase transparency and accountability in the use of private funding for sustainable development projects. This could help build trust between businesses, nonprofits, and consumers, and encourage more companies to invest in these projects.
4. Enhancing brand value: By providing records of companies efforts on sustainability the solution would give businesses the opportunity to communicate their efforts to their consumers and create brand value. This could lead to an increase in consumer trust and loyalty, and ultimately increase the sales of these companies.

Overall, the solution has the potential to change the market and inspire broader adoption of this approach, and also to promote transparency and accountability and enhance brand value.

There are no current projects that effectively connect local nonprofits with companies. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives are often fragmented, resulting in a waste of resources or inefficient use of them. However, by leveraging technology, we can build upon existing initiatives and improve the ways in which companies engage with sustainable development projects, ultimately making a positive impact on the community. The key is to identify existing resources and use technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of those investments.

Our impact goals for the next year include:

• Increasing the number of sustainable development projects that align with the UN 2030 Agenda, specifically in the Mar del Plata community. This includes attracting new companies to invest in these projects and continuing to involve the companies that are already committed to the initiative.
• Improving the lives of people living in vulnerable conditions.
• Track the impact of the projects and measure the success of the initiative, this will help to ensure that the projects are durable and have the desired impact on the community.
• Encourage the private sectors’ commitment to sustainability and social responsibility.
• Raise awareness about the initiative among companies and the community and encourage them to participate.

To achieve these goals, we plan to implement a number of strategies:

• Utilize the latest technology such as blockchain, AI, and Big Data to enhance the transparency, security and efficiency of the crowdfunding platform.
• Create a comprehensive portfolio of projects that align with the SDGs and addresses the specific needs of the community, this will help to ensure that the projects are making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in the community.
• Establish a monitoring and evaluation system to track the impact of the projects and measure the success of the initiative. This will help us to identify areas where the initiative can be improved, and make adjustments as necessary.
• Design a system of incentives for companies that invest in the initiative to recognize and encourage their commitment. This will help to ensure that companies continue to invest in the initiative and continue to make a positive impact on the community.
• Develop a targeted marketing campaign to raise awareness about the initiative among companies and the community, this will help to increase participation in the initiative and increase the impact of the projects.
• Continuously involve the companies that are already committed to the initiative by providing them with regular updates on the progress and impact of the initiative, and seeking their feedback to improve the initiative.

Measuring our progress towards impact goals is a critical part of our solution, and we have developed a comprehensive set of indicators to track our progress and ensure that we are making meaningful progress towards our goals. Our solution focuses on sustainable development and socially responsible business practices, and we align our indicators with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are most relevant to our work.

Specifically, we use the following indicators to measure our progress:

1. Number of projects funded: We track the number of small-scale sustainable development projects that have received funding through our crowdfunding platform.
2. Amount of funding raised: We also track the total amount of funding that has been raised through our platform, which helps us to understand the impact we are having in supporting SDG-oriented projects created by nonprofits.
3. Number of successful projects: We track the number of projects that have successfully met their goals and have had a positive impact on their target communities.
4. Social and environmental impact: We use a variety of indicators to measure the social and environmental impact of the projects we fund, such as the number of people served, the amount of waste diverted, and the reduction in carbon emissions.
5. Feedback from stakeholders: We also collect feedback from our stakeholders, including nonprofits, enterprises, and funders, to understand their perceptions of our solution and to identify areas for improvement.

Overall, these indicators provide us with a comprehensive understanding of our progress towards our impact goals, and we use this information to continually refine and improve our solution. By tracking these indicators, we can ensure that our solution is having a meaningful impact on sustainable development and socially responsible business practices.

Our theory of change is based on the idea that by connecting small-scale sustainable development projects with the funding they need to succeed, we can create a positive impact on the problem of underfunded sustainable development initiatives. Our solution involves three key activities:

• Developing a crowdfunding platform that connects nonprofits and enterprises with funders who are interested in supporting sustainable development initiatives.
• Providing tools for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the projects that are funded, which will help companies make more informed decisions about where to invest and how to allocate resources.
• Helping enterprises measure and communicate their social and environmental impact to consumers and other stakeholders, which will increase transparency and trust with their customers.

Through these activities, we expect to achieve immediate outputs, such as:

• Increased access to funding for small-scale sustainable development projects, which will support the creation and implementation of new initiatives.
• Improved evaluation of project effectiveness, which will help funders make more informed decisions about where to allocate resources.
• Enhanced communication of social and environmental impact, which will increase transparency and trust with customers and stakeholders.

In the longer term, we expect to achieve outcomes such as:

• Increased funding and support for sustainable development initiatives, which will lead to improved environmental and social outcomes in communities around the world.
• Greater engagement and awareness among enterprises and consumers about sustainable development practices, which will promote more responsible business practices and help to build a more sustainable future.

Our theory of change is supported by research and data that show the value of sustainable development initiatives and the need for increased funding and support for these projects. By connecting these projects with the funding and resources they need to succeed, we can create a positive impact on the problem of underfunded sustainable development initiatives and build a more sustainable future for all. It also emphasizes the importance of involving local communities and society to make meaningful progress towards the SDGs and our local approach is a distinguishing factor that we consider essential to achieving these goals.

Technology plays a critical role in the proposed solution for increasing private funding for sustainable development projects in Mar del Plata. A robust and user-friendly crowdfunding platform is essential to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in these projects in a transparent and trustworthy way. The platform should provide an efficient and easy way for nonprofits to showcase their projects, track progress and share updates.

On the other hand, the platform should also provide companies with a clear and effective way to browse and select initiatives that align with their interests and values, using classification systems and a clear relationship between nonprofit projects and the SDGs. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help in this process by providing personalized recommendations based on companies' previous investments, preferences and impact goals.

Big Data can be utilized to gather and analyze information about the performance of the projects and the investment trends, and Blockchain technology can be used to ensure transparency, security, and immutability of the transactions and the impact data.

Moreover, the platform should also provide a section for measuring and reporting the impact of the companies' investments, allowing them to communicate their efforts to consumers and build brand value. Audiovisual Media can play an important role in this process by creating engaging visual content that tells the story of the projects and the impact, and can be shared with the stakeholders.

Overall, technology should play a key role in enabling easy communication, transparency, and trust between all stakeholders, and to help facilitate the alignment of projects with SDGs, measurement of impact and sharing the results with all stakeholders. The use of AI, Big Data, Blockchain and Audiovisual Media can enhance the platform capabilities and make it more efficient and effective.

Our team strongly believes in the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize the importance of having diverse perspectives and experiences represented within our leadership team, and we strive to ensure that our team is inclusive and welcoming to all.

Currently, we are a small team but we have set goals to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive in the future by actively seeking out talent from underrepresented communities.

To ensure that our work is inclusive and equitable, we plan to take a number of steps, including conducting regular trainings on cultural competency, creating an inclusive work culture, and making sure that our solutions are accessible to all. We also work closely with local community organizations to ensure that our work is informed by the needs and experiences of the people we aim to serve.

Moving forward, we will continue to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do, and we will remain committed to creating an environment that welcomes and supports all members of our team and the communities we serve.

In order to promote diversity, equity, and inclusivity within our work, we propose incorporating a method for the individuals reached by the non-profit's activities to participate in decision-making processes that directly affect them. Their involvement in program follow-up is critical to obtaining a more comprehensive understanding of the actual needs that should be addressed with the funds provided by the companies. By enabling their active participation in decision-making, we can ensure that our initiatives are tailored to meet their unique needs, and ultimately lead to more meaningful and sustainable impact.

The proposed initiative aims to create both social and financial value by creating a platform that connects small and medium-sized enterprises with sustainable development projects that align with their interests and values. The main product or service provided by the initiative is a crowdfunding platform that allows companies to invest in these projects in a transparent and trustworthy way, and non-profit organizations to showcase their projects, track progress, and share updates.

To enhance the value proposition and increase the chances of success of the projects, the platform could also provide additional services such as:

• Impact measurement and reporting: This service will allow companies to measure the impact of their investments and create reports that can be shared with stakeholders, including consumers, to communicate their efforts and build brand value.
• SDGs Alignment: The platform could offer a classification system that would help companies align their investments with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and track the progress of the projects in relation to these goals.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The platform could provide a monitoring and evaluation system to track the impact of the projects, and provide feedback to the non-profit organizations and companies, to continuously improve their performance.

To generate revenue, the initiative will charge a small transaction fee for each investment made on the platform, or charge a subscription fee for access to the platform's advanced features and services. It will also generate revenue from impact measurement and reporting services that companies would want to use to communicate their efforts to consumers.

Overall, the initiative serves as a bridge between companies and non-profit organizations, connecting them through a platform that allows them to align their interests and values with sustainable development projects. The platform provides additional services, such as impact measurement, reporting, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as monitoring and evaluation, that enhance the value proposition and increase the chances of success of the projects. The initiative also provides a conduit for private funding that can increase access to resources for sustainable development projects and improve the lives of people living in vulnerable conditions. The populations served by the initiative will benefit from this business model by having access to private funding for sustainable development projects, and companies will benefit by aligning their investments with SDGs and communicating their efforts to consumers, which will enhance their reputation and brand value.

It is crucial to note that for companies the benefit is not limited to sharing their funding support towards non-profit organizations. The business model also includes the potential use of this information for personalized follow-up and analysis of the impact of a company's sustainable development efforts on their business growth. Through effective communication strategies, companies can tailor their services to meet their specific needs and track consumer behavior. This can reveal how information about a company's commitment to sustainability influences consumer choices, offering a wide range of potential solutions that can enhance the field of business.

The path to financial sustainability for this initiative will involve a combination of different revenue streams. Some options include:

• Transaction fees: The initiative could charge a small transaction fee for each investment made on the platform. This would provide a steady stream of revenue as more and more companies invest in sustainable development projects through the platform.
• Subscription fees: The initiative could charge a subscription fee for access to advanced features and services on the platform, such as impact measurement, reporting, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This would provide a steady stream of revenue as more companies subscribe to these services.
• Impact measurement and reporting services: Companies may be interested in measuring the impact of their investments and creating reports to communicate their efforts to consumers. The initiative could charge a fee for these services, which would provide an additional revenue stream.
• Grant and Donations: The initiative could seek funding from grants and donations from foundations, philanthropic organizations, or government entities.
• Investors: The initiative could raise investment capital from venture capital firms, angel investors, or impact investors who are interested in investing in sustainable development projects.
• Sponsorship: The initiative could seek sponsorship from companies that are interested in supporting sustainable development projects and aligning their brand with these causes.

It's essential that the initiative continuously evaluate its expenses and revenue streams to ensure that they are aligned, and if needed make adjustments to the business model to reach financial sustainability in the long term.

While we have not yet achieved financial sustainability, we have several plans in place to achieve this in the future. One example of our progress is that we have applied for and received several grants from organizations that support our mission and goals. Additionally, we have been exploring revenue generation options through partnerships with companies that align with our values and mission. We are also in the process of seeking investment funding to help us scale our solution and reach a wider audience. While we recognize that financial sustainability is a critical component of long-term success, we are committed to balancing this with our social and environmental impact goals.

Moreover, we are aware that technology can play an essential role in order to achieve financial sustainability. Specifically, it can help the organization streamline operations, automate processes, and reduce costs, which can contribute to achieving financial sustainability. However, it's worth noting that technology is just one factor among many that contribute to that objective, and it's important to carefully assess and implement technology solutions that are appropriate and effective for the organization's specific context and needs.