Introduction
In 2022, Brownie Points, a dedicated social upliftment organisation, initiated The Good Economy project, a collaborative effort involving ten foundations and charitable organisations. The primary objective was to create employment opportunities and foster social impact. The project, funded by the Social Employment Fund, has successfully employed 2,505 individuals in diverse roles.
About Brownie Points
Brownie Points is an online platform and social enterprise that empowers people, businesses and non-profit organisations to do more good by way of good deeds. Building an impactful network geared towards uplifting communities is at the core of what they do. Launched in 2015, Brownie Points has worked with various corporate and non-profit partners to launch impactful campaigns that meaningfully engage communities in initiatives like community clean-ups, fundraising campaigns, and food drives. For the SEF programme, Brownie Points is capacitating small, local strategic implementation partners throughout the country with staffing, administrative and M&E services enabling them to scale and increase their impact.
Key initiatives and affiliation
The Good Economy initiative operates as an affiliation of 10 foundations and charitable organisations, strategically collaborating to maximise impact. Pascale Du Toit-Henke, co-founder of Brownie Points, emphasises the project’s success in aiding non-profit organisations (NPOs) nationwide, enabling them to expand their influence while at the same time providing over 2,500 unemployed youths with opportunities to acquire new skills and earn a meaningful income.
Impactful outcomes
Du Toit-Henke highlights some statistics that demonstrate the positive outcomes of The Good Economy project:
- Rays of Hope internship success. 20 learning assistants and social workers/counsellors who initially worked at Rays of Hope transitioned into full-time teaching or counselling roles. Their experience at Rays of Hope served as a paid internship, fulfilling their practical hours.
- Litter4Tokens to DUCT employment transition. 59 waste collectors from Litter4Tokens secured permanent employment at the Duzi Umngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) project in eThekwini, showcasing the sustainability and success of the employment initiative.
- Programme participant progression. During the first year 1,078 individuals participated in the programme, with 185 successfully securing verified permanent jobs. 10 participants left for personal reasons, such as completing matric or other studies, and these positions were seamlessly filled by other community members.
Transformation and hope
Du Toit-Henke reflects on the transformative impact of The Good Economy project, saying, “Just over a year ago, most of these young people felt hopeless, with no work experience and no hope of finding work. The Good Economy has opened so many doors, supported thousands of families, and created hope within communities.”
Community engagement
To encourage further involvement, the opportunity to make direct donations to Brownie Points’ NPO partners is extended. Du Toit-Henke expresses the commitment to using Brownie Points’ technology, network, and resources to continuously support NPOs in their endeavours to make a meaningful difference in their operating areas.
Where it counts
The Good Economy project stands as a testament to the positive impact of strategic collaboration and focused initiatives in addressing unemployment, empowering individuals, and creating lasting social change. For more information and to contribute to this transformative cause, visit Brownie Points’ official website www.browniepoints.africa.
