Project summary

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 NGOs compounds the issue, as donors often remain unaware of how their contributions are allocated, and 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, or 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:

1. Identifying proposals of utmost significance and community interest.

2. Determining the allocation of funds to selected projects.
   

What are this project's goals and how will you achieve them?

The goal of the project in Togo is to democratically fund the 10 most highly voted public goods proposals submitted by the community. Each proposal selected is subject to receive $20k.

The way we plan to achieve them is essentially this -

Our developed Progressive Web Application (PWA) can be found at https://app.impact.stream. Presently, a growing number of Togolese participants are actively shaping their project submissions on the platform. Following submission, these proposals will enter a communal forum for quadratic voting. The highest voted proposals will then receive funding for implementation. In essence, the funds received will be directed to a matching pool, subsequently distributed among capable members of the Togolese community for executing the proposed projects.

How will this funding be used?

Funding received will be channeled into a matching pool, which will be subsequently allocated among members of the Togolese community capable of executing the proposed initiatives.

Who is on your team and what's your track record on similar projects?

1. Will Little - Board Chair

2. Michelle Schubert - Executive Director

3. Laté Lawson - Project Director in Togo

Michelle Schubert, who goes by the alias "Alidra," boasts a career spanning from 2014 dedicated to international development. Her non-profit expertise encompasses diverse development projects across numerous global regions, notably including Togo. She has developed an extensive trust network with Togolese nationals through her involvement in past developmental initiatives within Togo, collaborating with International Literacy and Development. This history is punctuated by successful undertakings that have elevated thousands of families from poverty's grasp, supplied clean water to thousands, delivered education and medical aid, and triggered a ripple effect of entrepreneurs mentoring and nurturing fellow entrepreneurs. This history kindles optimism and a sense of anticipation, underscoring the Togolese people's inclination to uplift one another, even to the extent of making personal sacrifices for the betterment of their community.

Twitter : https://twitter.com/alidra_xyz

Will Little is a founder and Managing Director at Prota Ventures, an early stage venture capital and startup incubation group that promotes human flourishing by investing holistically in entrepreneurs. He is also a founding board member of Impact Stream, a new NGO that facilitates transparent, on-chain impact between Web3 communities and IRL communities. Will received his Ph.D. in bioengineering from ETH Zurich, has started multiple technology companies, and has been investing heavily in Web3 since early 2017. 

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/wclittle 

Laté Lawson is the field director of ILAD Togo. Has helped over 1500 farmers move from poverty to thriving. Oversees many development initiatives. 

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails? (premortem)

If we are not able to raise funds - we won't be able to support public goods proposals submitted by the people of Togo.

What other funding are you or your project getting?

We have applied for funding from Gitcoin Grants Round 18 and speaking to private donors.