Smallbrooks blog
Active citizenship and crowdfunding
By Rocio Triboli
Crowdfunding has become a popular way for individuals and organizations to raise money for their projects, businesses, and causes. However, beyond a funding mechanism, crowdfunding has the potential to foster active citizenship and community participation in the decision-making process.
Active citizenship is the idea that individuals engage in the public sphere and contribute to the well-being of their community. Crowdfunding can enable this by providing a platform for individuals to come together and collectively fund projects that align with their shared values and goals.
Active citizenship and crowdfunding
In this post, we’ll look at a few examples of how crowdfunding encourages civic engagement.
1- Empowers citizens
Through community-driven development projects, crowdfunding allows communities to pool their resources and collaborate on projects that improve their neighborhood or address a specific issue that they care about. These projects can range from planting flowers in a community garden to building a playground or a bridged. By collectively funding and participating in the project, community members become active participants in shaping the physical and social landscape of their community.
2- Builds social and community cohesion
By contributing to a project, citizens can connect with others who share their values and vision for their community. This can lead to increased collaboration and social connections that can benefit the community in other ways beyond the specific project being funded.
3- Increases transparency
Crowdfunding campaigns are typically open about the project details and how funds will be used. It also encourages open and recurrent communication between the project owner and the backer. This transparency promotes accountability and trust between them, ensuring that all parties are aware of the project’s progress and that they serve their intended purpose.
4- Increases civic pride
Citizens who contribute to a crowdfunding campaign for a community project can feel a sense of pride and ownership in the project, leading to increased engagement in other community initiatives.
5- Give voice to underrepresented groups.
Marginalized communities often face barriers in accessing traditional funding sources, and crowdfunding can provide an alternative route to funding their initiatives. Crowdfunding allows these groups to tell their stories and connect with a broader community who may share their values and vision. By leveraging the power of social media, crowdfunding can amplify their message and help mobilize supporters.
Crowdfunding also allows individuals to engage with causes and organizations that align with their values. Instead of passively donating to a charity, individuals can actively contribute to a project they care about and feel a sense of ownership and accountability. This engagement can lead to a deeper commitment to the cause and a greater sense of satisfaction and impact.
Challenges
However, crowdfunding is not without its challenges. Crowdfunding campaigns require a significant amount of time and effort to plan, promote, and execute successfully. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that a campaign will meet its funding goal, which can be discouraging for both the organizers and the backers. In addition, crowdfunding may not be accessible to everyone due to digital literacy, language barriers, or financial constraints.
Despite these challenges, crowdfunding has the potential to transform the way communities and individuals engage with their local and global challenges. By leveraging the power of collective action, crowdfunding can enable active citizenship and empower communities to take ownership of their future.
The Danish example - active citizenship
Denmark has introduced a new online portal, Crowdfunding Danmark, for citizen-driven crowdfunding projects. This innovative platform enable each municipality to easily establish and manage their own crowdfunding platform.
One of Denmark’s largest cities, Aarhus, was the first to launch its crowdfunding platform, Crowdfunding Aarhus, in the summer of 2022. The initiative was received positively by the citizens and has now entered its second round of projects.
Conclusion- Active citizenship and crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is not just a funding mechanism but a tool for active citizenship and community empowerment. By collaborating on projects, giving voice to underrepresented groups, and engaging with causes, individuals can become active agents of change in their communities. Crowdfunding has the potential to democratize funding and create a more participatory and inclusive society.
Introduction to crowdfunding
New to crowdfunding? Explore our in-depth guide about crowdfunding and crowdfunding platforms. Everything you need to know in one place.
Are you a public authority?
Create a crowdfunding platform for your municipality and engage the citizens through local projects.
