Raphael Thys
Brands in the metaverse are utilizing their massive digital networks to aid and advance global humanitarian efforts.
Digital purchases in the metaverse are shifting funds to humanitarian causes around the world, adding another layer to the global impact of the metaverse. Many have used social media to inspire support for social causes, most recently un Ukraine to garner global support and spur local resistance. Now, the metaverse is elevating that support by making it possible to act and back global efforts from anywhere in the world.
Image courtesy of Built With Bitcoin
The Built With Bitcoin Foundation, a humanitarian organization powered by Bitcoin, announced in April that it is now raising funds for its beneficiaries by selling NFTs. 100% of proceeds from the Built With NFT Collection will be put towards providing clean water, building schools, and providing sustainable farming and humanitarian support for its sponsored communities in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The collection of NFTs, made up of various works of art from students in the supported communities, was created in collaboration with crypto collection brand Satoshibles NFT and minted on the Bitcoin network by STXNFT. STXNFT Founder Jamil Dhanani praised the collection, saying, "Bitcoin has been a force for good, bringing economic freedom to billions globally,” and that, “projects like Built With NFT showcase that perfectly, by cutting through the hype to deliver on a meaningful cause.”
Epic Games and XBox raised $144 million to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. In March, Epic Games announced that it would donate all in-game sales until April 3rd. Xbox also announced that it would donate the fee it normally collects for items bought by users in Fortnite. Epic Games announced that the proceeds would be donated to “Direct Relief, Unicef, UN World Food Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and World Central Kitchen in support of their humanitarian relief efforts for people affected by the war in Ukraine."
Image courtesy of Built With Bitcoin
Ukraine itself is selling NFTs to raise funds for its army and civilians. The government announced a collection of NFTs on Twitter in March, called the “Meta History: Museum of War.” The 54 collectibles are news items iterating the timeline of Russia’s invasion, each of which is accompanied by an illustration by an artist. Ukraine Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov stated that all proceeds would be donated to the department to aid Ukraine’s army and civilians at this time.
Brands in the virtual realm are proving that the success of their digital offerings can go beyond mere entertainment and benefit the physical world as well. The flexibility, speed, and international yield that companies in the metaverse have allows them to aid and support social causes with ease—giving brands the power to turn metaverse into a force for social good.
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