What is blockchain for social good?

Charities, nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) often do not have the right technology to reach the corporate donors who are willing and able to help. Whether it’s a question of funding a more modern IT infrastructure, expanding in-house skills or finding other resources, the critical connections can be lost or never established. In addition, the levels of fiduciary accountability and financial visibility required by corporate donors can overwhelm these organizations, if not prepared to address them.

Blockchain technology can power new models for change, advancing knowledge and helping social organizations create shared systems of record that respond to corporate donors’ requirements.

Newlight Technologies creates high-performance consumer goods from greenhouse gas. Blockchain ensures product processes and impact on the environment can be tracked, audited and communicated.

The IBM® Science for Social Good program is founded on the belief that applied science and technology can solve the world's toughest problems. It accelerates solutions by leveraging the scientific method to drive progress.

Since 2016, the program has united IBM research scientists and engineers with academic fellows and subject matter experts from diverse organizations. Together, they tackle emerging societal challenges by using science and technology. The results so far: 28 innovative projects, 19 partnerships, 9 patents pending and more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is among the solutions being explored for its role in improving society. From a United Nations program designed to streamline sustainability in developing countries, to social services, public safety and education initiatives, cognitive technologies are being applied to a vision of a safer, more productive world.

Learn through use cases how the power of blockchain enhances social good and enables businesses to help solve global problems.

IBM Food Trust® helps Farmer Connect increase trust with a verifiable record of coffee’s journey to your cup, tracing the beans from the moment they’re picked. The future of coffee is traceability.

“Traceability means having the visibility to know, ‘Was this coffee sourced in a responsible and sustainable way?’”

— Dan Behrends, Founder and President, Farmer Connect

Plastic Bank is helping more than one billion people in areas of high poverty and high plastic pollution transform their lives. They’re using a solution built on the IBM Blockchain Platform to collect and trade plastic waste for the items they need most.

“We use blockchain to solve global problems, providing financial inclusion for the world’s poor and enabling transparent social plastic recycling systems.”

— Shaun Frankson, Co-founder and CTO, Plastic Bank

Join an existing network. Build your own blockchain solution. Co-create one with our experts. Partner with others for new opportunities. Wherever you are in your blockchain journey, IBM Blockchain meets you there and helps to take you where you want to go.