Impact Stream: Empowering Communities in Togo Through Blockchain Technology

LEAVENWORTH - In an era where global aid organizations often dictate the solutions for struggling communities, a decentralized non-governmental organization is challenging the norm by empowering citizens to take charge of their own development. 

Impact Stream, a trailblazing initiative, has launched a pilot project in the West African nation of Togo that allows local residents to allocate resources where they are needed most. By utilizing a blockchain-based platform, the organization is fostering transparency, collaboration, and sustainability in its community-driven development efforts.

Impact Stream’s model is simple but revolutionary: the platform enables individuals to propose and vote on projects that directly impact their communities. In Togo, where access to basic services like clean water, education, and job training is limited, this model is helping to bridge the gap. The first wave of projects included the creation of a technology education center for adults, a youth training program focused on textile and apparel manufacturing, the construction of a community library, a solar-powered clean water access initiative, and the provision of new equipment for an elementary school.

The organization’s commitment to transparency is one of its core values. Through the Impact Stream platform, donors can track their contributions every step of the way, ensuring that funds are used effectively and responsibly. 

As Leavenworth hotelier, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Hans Mulders, an Impact Stream board member, explains: “Impact Stream reflects the impact that we want to create on impoverished communities and countries by providing an effective, continuous stream of resources to help them build infrastructure. This transparency allows donors to see exactly how their money is being spent, unlike traditional aid organizations where funds are often pooled together, making it difficult to trace individual contributions.”

Mulders, who grew up in Ethiopia, saw firsthand the pitfalls of traditional top-down aid models: “Most NGOs focus on designing solutions for people in need, but that approach often leads to problems. Even well-made infrastructure, for example, can break, but there is no easy way for communities to obtain spare parts or make repairs.” Impact Stream aims to change this by providing communities with the technical support necessary to sustain and repair projects long after the initial funding has been used.

Impact Stream’s founder Will Little, a fellow entrepreneur with a passion for impactful philanthropy whom Mulders describes as “the smartest guy in the room,” introduced Mulders to the concept of decentralized charitable giving. This vision led to the development of the Impact Stream platform, which leverages blockchain technology to ensure that every project is transparent, accountable, and trackable.

The platform also allows community members in Togo to propose projects and vote on which initiatives should be prioritized. Projects are submitted during a 60-day window, and once the voting period is over, the community decides which project will receive funding first. 

The process is built on the principle of inclusivity, allowing those who are directly affected by the projects to have a say in the decisions that will impact their lives.

While Impact Stream is still in its early stages, having recently completed its second year of operation, the organization is steadily growing. They are currently in the process of becoming a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit and are looking for donors who are willing to contribute on a recurring basis. “We are in constant fundraising mode,” says Mulders, emphasizing the need for sustained support to continue these efforts.

One of the most distinctive features of Impact Stream is its commitment to making its software open-source. This means that any organization can use the platform free of charge to implement similar projects in other parts of the world. “Our goal is to help the rest of the world become less stressful,” Mulders explains. By providing a platform for decentralized decision-making and transparent funding, Impact Stream is helping create a world where local communities can thrive without relying on traditional, top-down aid models.

Togo was chosen as the pilot location for Impact Stream’s work because of the network of trust that Mulders and Little have developed there. The team believes that local knowledge and collaboration are key to ensuring the success of the initiative. “Togolese helping Togolese with American support,” says Mulders, highlighting the importance of local involvement in the process.

In a world where international aid often falls short of its promises, Impact Stream offers a refreshing alternative. By harnessing the power of technology and local leadership, the organization is helping communities in Togo build the infrastructure and resources they need to thrive—while creating a model that can be replicated in other regions. As the project grows and more communities are empowered, Impact Stream is paving the way for a new kind of philanthropy—one that is transparent, sustainable, and community-driven.

For more information and/or to donate to Impact Stream: https://www.impact.stream

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a senior at Cascade High School, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief of the school’s Publications Group.