Crypto Altruists Episode 172 - Piloting Change Part 2: Exploring Web3 Innovations for Real-World Impact, ft. Mercy Corps Ventures, Empowa, and Atlantis

By:

Drew Simon

In episode 172, the 2nd part of a 2-part series, we welcome back Njeri Muhia & Abeera Akhtar from Mercy Corps Ventures, Greg Schneider & Marie-Odile Zanders from Empowa, and Irthu Suresh from Atlantis. We continue exploring their pilot projects using Web3 to build climate resilience, the role of blockchain, how to effectively measure impact, the next steps for scaling the projects, and more.

Crypto Altruists Podcast Ep 172 - Piloting Change Part 2: Exploring Web3 Innovations for Real World Impact, ft. Atlantis, Empowa, and Mercy Corps Ventures.

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In episode 172, which is the second part in our two-part series, we welcome back Njeri Muhia and Abeera Akhtar from Mercy Corps Ventures, Greg Schneider and Marie-Odile Zanders from Empowa, and Irthu Suresh from Atlantis. We continue exploring their pilot projects that leverage Web3 technology to build climate resilience, diving deeper into the role of blockchain technology, how to effectively measure impact, the next steps for scaling the projects, and much more.

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Key Takeaways

The core aspects that make blockchain unique like immutability, transparency, and the ability to reach consensus quickly, are gamechangers in international development efforts. It can increase efficiency by cutting out intermediaries, while making it much easier to monitor and verify the impact of projects.
Many developing economies leapfrogged traditional technology like LAN lines and Ethernet, going straight to mobile and wireless technologies. This has resulted in a high level of penetration of wireless tech, which has helped fuel the growth of Web3 in these areas, leading to many exciting innovations.
It’s important to remember that blockchain is a backend solution when introducing innovations to communities. It is more important for beneficiaries to be aware of the benefits and values of the project, and how it will improve their lives, rather than the intricacies of the technology behind the innovations. You can slowly educate the community on blockchain and crypto as you go, but it doesn’t need to be a part of the initial sales pitch.

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Follow & Learn More

Website - Mercy Corps Ventures

Pilot Report - Empowa

Pilot Report - Atlantis

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Episode Time Stamps:

02:00 - In the last episode we explored your pilot projects and some of the key findings. Today we’re going to dig a bit deeper into the lessons learned and the role of web3 technology in the pilots. To kick things off, what role can blockchain and other tech innovations play in achieving systems change in traditionally underserved & marginalized communities?

10:10 - What are some of the biggest challenges you encountered when planning and implementing the pilot project?

17:15 - Tell me more about the MRV methodology for your projects and the role blockchain can play in improving MRV efforts?

20:55 - How did you include local communities in the planning and roll out of the pilots?

27:40 - What are the next steps for scaling your pilot projects?

34:30 - To wrap things up, if you could name one thing that excites you most about the social impact potential of web3, what would it be and why?

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DISCLAIMER

While we may discuss specific web3 projects or cryptocurrencies on this podcast, please do not take any of this as investment advice, and please make sure to do your own research on potential investment opportunities, or any opportunity. We host a variety of guests on this podcast with the sole purpose of highlighting the social impact use cases of this technology. That being said, Crypto Altruism does not endorse any of these projects, and we recognize that, since this is an emerging sector, some may be operating in regulatory grey areas, and as such, we cannot confirm their legality in the jurisdictions in which they operate, especially as it pertains to decentralized finance protocols. So, before getting involved with any project, it’s important that you do your own research and confirm the legality of the project. More available HERE.

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