Digital and Social Projects of the betterplace lab
How does digital communication influence the social sector? And how can digital technologies be used for social causes? Betterplace lab gets to the bottom of these questions by setting up different projects:
Trendreport
Trendreports are the centerpiece of the digital-social work done in the betterplace lab. With over 320 examples (June 2012), we show how digital innovations (mobile services, websites, etc.) enhance activity in the social sector. These examples inspire us to write trends as well as more in depth analyses (Insights). Those interested in Trends can stay up to date with labnews.
betterplace labtogether
In October 2012 we organized our first conference: the betterplace labtogether. 130 experts and guests gathered to discuss this years theme: How do digital trends renew social involvement? We also captured the inspiring speeches in videos for you.
German Donations Market
How exactly does the German donations market function? The numbers are scarce, but lab-assistant and economist Dr. Angela Ulrich has gleaned a lot from them. So much so that her presentations have been viewed over 5,000 times, shining a small light into the darkness of the German donations market.
NGO-Meter
For the first time Germany has opened up to a benchmarking organization that examines the effectiveness of online fundraising. The NGO-Meter shows which uses of resources NGOs have to deal with, how to get in touch with donors on social networking sites and the what online fundraising provides in comparison with it's offline counterpart. Time to get involved!
Digital Stories
What was once a conversation around the campfire is today’s social Internet. NGOs, CSR departments, and foundations move people by telling their stories online. Our trends and project called “digital stories“ explains how to do so. The classic rules of story craft are joined by new digital tools and idiosyncrasies.
Big Jump
During the Big Jump Challenge on the 17th of July 2012, thousands of young people will jump into rivers and lakes to create a wave of attention for water quality worldwide. Betterplace lab designed the website for the Webbewerb, an online contest.
Think Big
Over a period of five years, Telefónica will support thousands of young people financially and with their expertise through their engagement in neighborhood communities. Betterplace labs designed the website concept and developed new formatting for the Think Big community.
Digital Foundations
Many Anglo-American foundations post their fellowships on Facebook or other places online. In Germany foundations are now trying to tap into digital potential to help integrate their target groups more effectively. Betterplace lab helps them do this.
Effective Donation
Thoughtless spending resulting in avoidable costs does not only happen with offline donations. Betterplace lab shows exactly how your specific engagement is targeted based on Tips and Tricks. This way more money flows to good social projects.
Stakeholder Feedback
How can we find out how well aid projects actually help the beneficiaries? By asking them! With stakeholder feedback, we are experimenting with texting, video, and online technology to give a voice to those who have never had a chance to complain--or give thanks.
Water Portal
To donate effectively, one must know about the projects to which they are donating. We call it Knowledge for Development and have tested it with the Water Knowledge Portal to see if and how donors stay informed OR educate themselves and make better donation decisions.
Online Fundraising
For every Euro raised offline, a 33 Cent fundraising cost is also incurred. However online, there are no printing or postage costs for mailing. The market share for online fundraising is still low, less than 10%. But the spread of the Internet fuels its continuous growth. In presentations and blogposts we show the characteristics of the still little studied area of online fundraising.
Karma instead of Cash
Voluntary, unpaid, intrinsically motivated work is facing challenges from the digital sector. Micro and online volunteering are the new concepts increasingly being used by NGOs and funded by companies. betterplace lab has written a study on the state of classic volunteerism.
Engagement Platforms
Think Big and The Big Jump are only two examples of engagement platforms, of which there are many more on the web. The betterplace lab has researched and written a comparative study that shows how engagement can be initiated and maintained on the Internet. People are always motivated by incentives.