OpenStreetPay is a digital product that enables cashless donations to and contactless payments at partners for homeless people. The idea was born during the #wirvsvirus Hackathon and has been developed further since then.
Homeless people receive our card, the SmallChangeCard, through our network of charitable institutions. Donors can use our app to make a donation either to a donation pot or directly to a homeless person, i.e. to the SmallChangeCard using NFC technology. From the donation pot, a fixed amount is loaded onto all cards each month. The card can be used for payment at participating partners such as bakeries.
We are currently working on a prototype.
Our primary target group are homeless people. Secondary target groups are aid organisations, donors and traders.
Currently we are all working on our project idea on a voluntary basis. We have already applied for a financial support to finance the project and, if necessary, full-time employees. We are open for further funding ideas.
The problem:
The Corona crisis has shown that the need of homeless people is particularly acute due to the disruption of normal offers of help, structures and donation possibilities. Due to exit restrictions, closed shops and restrictions of existing institutions, people stay away from the inner cities. For homeless people this means: no money in a hat.
Our solution:
Homeless people need a way to get "money in the hat" even without people in sight. This is exactly what is possible now - through digital donations! Our idea is not only relevant in times of Corona, because a change towards a cashless society is already taking place. With OpenStreetPay, we want to involve homeless people in this change and at the same time offer a solution that enables cashless donations to homeless people and gives them the option to shop cashlessly and self-determinedly in stores.
...the development of the idea behind OpenStreetPay.
We are currently developing a prototype. We are therefore looking for new team members who would like to join us in bringing OpenStreetPay to the streets. We are looking for people who are interested in the idea. We are looking for people who are active in helping the homeless. We are looking for people who can support our developers.
Everyone is welcome! You think our idea is good? Then get in touch with us.