#Crowdfunding4Children (Tirana - Albania)

In 2016, the UNDP Albania and the municipality of Tirana joined forces to collaborate on a project to improve the quality of life of children with special needs and disabilities: the #Crowdfunding4Children campaign, the first one of its kind in the country (crowdfunding is an alternative financing scheme based on raising financial contributions from a large number of volunteers).

With the help of open data from the Open Data Portal of Tirana Smart City, UNDP found out that out of the 22 playgrounds that are managed by the municipality of Tirana, only 1 is suitable for children with special needs. The need for more adequate playgrounds is real, as this allows children to interact with each other and develop their personalities in a healthier environment, fostering their self-esteem.

To finance the project, a website was created to inform people about the progress of the campaign, and money was raised through advocacy initiatives, social media and online crowdfunding platforms: the goal of $20,000 was achieved and the first all-inclusive playground in Albania was built.

Sources:

https://undg.org/silofighters_blog/crowdfunding-for-smart-cities-in-albania/

http://parku.social/en/

https://eu.smartcitiescouncil.com/article/112-ways-tirana-albania-getting-smarter