Regenerate Africa
Through the Changemaker program https://regenliving.eco/wiki/index.php?title=SEEDS_Changemakers_to_Citizens_Pilot_Program, this is what @barbara and I are looking to pilot in a week to support regenerative projects in Southern Africa. First, as Simon Sinek says, the why:
Why?
1. It provides a way for those with a significant amount of Seeds to make a significant impact in regenerative projects now, leveraged by the SEEDS community and its programs. 2. It provides developing countries/underestimated bioregions with the resources they need now that Seeds simply can't buy, like a community computer, projector, and internet data to participate in this Discord forum and learn about SEEDS through the videos 30 people at a single sitting. 3. It allows those in SEEDS that want to build relationships with those in these underestimated bioregions the ability to do so for the first time. Right now they can't even participate in the video calls because internet access is three day's pay.
How?
1. We have a document of three projects in underestimated bioregions in Uganda and Kenya, stated what they've already done in SEEDS, what they're going to do, why they're limited, what they need, and the cost in fiat: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10wrsdYwqn9oFOVlc-esXedeBS6hxoH_5VuSrDy4EGYs 2. Barbara is going to host a traditional crowdfunding campaign starting in a week or so, to raise $10,000 USD fiat, using her January 4 birthday as incentive for her friends to contribute. We will provide rewards for $1000+ contributions with matching Seeds value, say, 10,000 Seeds for every $1000 donated, so... 3. I will help Barbara with a 100,000 Seed seedraising campaign to provide those rewards. Anything left over will be used for future campaigns.
Accountability?
We already have close relationships with @Paulinho, @Mariam, @obar12 and @Kotieno, all of whom have spent hundreds of hours supporting SEEDS in their community, and their limited resources on SEEDS calls. The SEEDS Changemaker program, of which they are all members, will oversee the program and provide a permanent wiki documenting their progress with these contributions. They will also have permanent Discord channels for each of their projects in the Changemaker Discord, so people can ask questions, be updated directly.
How is this regenerative?
We are exchanging $10,000 in fiat for 100,000 newly circulated Seeds resulting in growing the SEEDS ecosystem by hundreds of people in countries where the impact is the greatest.
This is a pilot program. We can expand this program through a 501c3 fiscal sponsor, people would then receive tax deductions on their donations, and the program would be qualified to receive grants (foundations and corporate social programs typically only donate to 501c3).
How can I help?
We’ll be launching this in a week or two, but if you want to be part of its co-creation, you can follow the #regenerate-africa channel in the Changemaker Discord, at https://discord.com/channels/873255330367291442/921056521763315802/921056574015963146. It'd be great if this was one day set up as a trustless system.