Source – campaignsoftheworld.com
- Original Title: Das PlaCard
- Year: 2015
- Award: World Summit Award
- Category: Inclusion & Empowerment
- Organisation: Misereor
- Country: Germany
Imagine a world where the most vulnerable – the poor, the sick, the hungry – have someone in their corner. That’s where Misereor steps in, seeing past differences in gender, religion, or nationality.
Its mission is pure and simple—empowerment. The organization believes everyone deserves a life of dignity, and they walk alongside those struggling to achieve it.
The name, “Misereor” (Latin for “I have compassion on the crowd”), comes straight from the Bible, echoing Jesus’ words in Mark 8:2. This compassion is the fuel that drives its every action.
Misereor’s name reflects its core value of compassion. It’s the fire that fuels its fight for a more just and equitable world where everyone has the chance to thrive.
The Swipe of Hope
Imagine a billboard that doesn’t just beg but lets you be the hero. This wasn’t your average advertisement. It was the world’s first to accept credit card donations, making giving as easy as a swipe.
Here’s how “The Social Swipe” worked:
| Swipe for Change: | You saw a heartbreaking image – a child’s bound hands or perhaps a loaf of bread representing a family’s daily meal in Peru. |
| The Power is in Your Swipe: | With a simple swipe of your card, you could literally “cut through” the problem, donating €2 to the Misereor. |
| Instant Impact: | The display instantly showed the difference your donation made. |
But the magic didn’t stop there. Your bank statement would later ask if you wanted to turn your swipe of hope into a lasting change, allowing you to become a regular donor.
This innovative approach bypassed the passive donation box and made giving personal, rewarding, and sustainable. It was charity transformed into action, one swipe at a time.
The Power of a Swipe
A billboard that’s not just shouting at you but reaching out for your help. Misereor, a global champion against poverty since 1958, knew the fight for justice needed a fresh approach. People were bombarded with donation pleas, and that spark of inspiration often faded.
But what if a single swipe could make a real difference?
Enter the Social Swipe: a revolutionary poster transforming into an interactive experience. With a simple card swipe, you weren’t just donating but participating in the solution.
This initiative became more than just an act of giving – it was about seeing the immediate change. The Social Swipe became a bridge between your generosity and the lives it could touch. By turning a passive donation channel into an active experience, Misereor breathed new life into the fight against poverty, proving that even a single euro, empowered by the right idea, could have a world-altering impact.
Results and Effectiveness: A Swipe towards Success
The Social Swipe was a clever idea and a fundraising powerhouse. Within the first month at international airports, these innovative posters featuring a single, impactful image raked in over €3,000 in donations. But the impact went beyond the initial swipe.
Misereor knew the key to lasting change was building a community of dedicated supporters. That’s why it included a clever nudge on credit card statements – a gentle reminder to transform that one-time swipe into a monthly act of compassion. The result was a 23% jump in donors from a single swipe to becoming regular contributors.
The Social Swipe proved that even a small gesture, cleverly presented, could spark a wave of generosity and empower people to become active participants in creating a better world.
An Initiative for Transparency
Misereor prioritizes transparency, understanding the power donors entrust them with. It is committed to responsible, economical, and efficient use of every euro donated and holds itself accountable to individual and public contributors. A multi-layered monitoring system ensures transparency within and outside the organization.
Clear rules and guidelines are established for the organization and its partners. All areas of work undergo regular and consistent monitoring. Internal protocols for staff and managers further prevent any misuse of funds.
The organization’s commitment to maximum transparency extends to the regular publication of data on the source and use of funds. Additionally, external consultants evaluate the effectiveness of development work in Misereor-supported projects, documented annually in a public evaluation report. This allows donors to witness the impact of their generosity firsthand.
