To diversify its sources of income, the Swiss branch of the humanitarian NGO Doctors Without Borders has started staking on Ethereum and NFTs. Let’s take a closer look at this unique initiative.
Médecins Sans Frontières presents its work on blockchain
Among the sectors that can benefit from the advantages of blockchain technology, there is one that we rarely talk about: humanitarian aid. Nevertheless, the Swiss branch of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an NGO with around 68,000 employees whose role is to provide emergency medical assistance around the world, particularly in war zones and areas affected by natural disasters, has reviewed its actions relating to both staking and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Médecins Sans Frontières has deployed staking pools on Ethereum via the Lido protocol, where it is possible to deposit ETH. Like every validator, MSF takes a small commission on the returns generated, which helps to finance the NGO’s activities.
To date, 244.5 ETH have been mobilized, worth $1.15 million:
Called Stake2Care, this initiative has a dedicated website with a Web3 interface for connecting your wallet and staking your ETH:
At the same time, the NGO also revisited Art4Care, a collection of NFTs called Field Impact, created in collaboration with artist RVig, which “transforms MSF’s field data into generative artworks.” Here, these NFTs are also used to fund MSF’s actions around the world:
For Mario Stephan, Head of Philanthropy Diversification and Impact at Médecins Sans Frontières Switzerland, this work responds to MSF’s need to diversify its sources of income:
Médecins Sans Frontières is constantly looking for innovative ways to diversify its funding while remaining true to its values of independence and neutrality. With more than 244 ETH already staked via Stake2Care and the launch of Field Impact on Art Blocks, we are seeing how technology, finance, and creativity can converge to save lives. Blockchain philanthropy is no longer a vision, it is now an impact.
With these actions, MSF hopes to reach “a new generation of donors” to ensure its financial independence.
