droidcon x Groundbreaker

We are proud to announce our partnership with Groundbreaker – a non-profit organization based in Cologne, Germany. Groundbreaker works as a link between motivated donors and small local initiatives in the Global South to bring education around the globe. We want to help make an impact in these communities by coming alongside Groundbreaker in helping them further their mission through our partnership.

In today’s fragmented society, there is still a divide in education. The unequal distribution of education around the world has an impact on how children will achieve academically and therefore professionally. We want to help close the gap by helping people learn and grow, no matter their race, education, socio-economic background or gender. Recognising that both organisations work to achieve a similar goal, a partnership with Groundbreaker made sense. Teaming up to do more good for more people.

The Partnership

Change happens… slowly. Our goal is to have a long-term relationship with Groundbreaker for many years to come. During this ongoing partnership, we want to give them a platform to spread awareness and raise funds. We also plan on giving one big donation every year to build a new school or upgrade an existing school with an up-to-date computer lab.

If you’re wanting to give back and help, you’re in luck. We are selling special edition droidcon socks at our San Francisco, Berlin, New York and London events with 100% of the proceeds going to Groundbreaker. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase these socks and do your part for the global community.

You can vote for this year’s droidcon socks below.

Because we want more people to learn more about this non-profit and the good they are doing, we have made sure Groundbreaker will not only be our event charity partner but also have a physical presence at our Berlin, London, New York, and San Francisco events. There they will have a booth where you can learn more about the organisation, the people behind it, and pick up your special edition droidcon socks. We have also made sure that they have a speaking opportunity at all of our events so that event attendees can fully understand why educational infrastructure is significant.

Project 2022: Malawi School Computer Lab

At Bwengu Community Day Secondary School in Mzimba

In 2005, the Malawian government introduced computer studies as an examinable subject. Yet, schools in Malawi are still unable to afford ICT equipment. This is because a lab with 20 low-quality and used computers equates to 16.5% of an average school’s annual budget. Further, many rural schools do not have the relevant infrastructure to accommodate a computer lab, nor do they have the resources to even build a computer lab.

However, having access to a computer lab is becoming more and more crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty. In the short term, computer literacy can have enormous benefits on the students’ education. This then is very impactful for their futures as they will have a broader range of career opportunities.

Therefore, funds raised will go towards supporting the renovation of a Malawian school’s computer lab. Let’s have a positive impact together on the students’ education and future.

Make a Donation in €

Make a Donation in $

Get droidcon Socks for a Good Cause

This year’s droidcon events will sell special edition droidcon socks where 100% of the revenue will be donated to Groundbreaker.

Get your socks for charity in our San Francisco, Berlin, New York and London online ticket shops. Look out for a separate ticket category titled “Socks” and simply add it to your cart! You will receive your socks at the respective event.

Supporting Children in Ukraine

While we have been working to get this project rolling for quite some time now and don’t want to turn away from our initial goal, we also cannot turn a blind eye to what is happening to the people in Ukraine right now.

Therefore, together with Groundbreaker, we’ve opened a second fundraiser for the time being to support children in Ukraine. You can make a donation below.

Make a Donation

FAQ

droidcon is a global community, networking and supporting each other are deeply rooted in our DNA. We know that education is the one tool that can have the greatest impact on people’s lives. It awakens untapped potential, strengthens individual talents, and has a positive effect on self-confidence and self-esteem. Unfortunately millions of children have no access to education due to a lack of school buildings. That’s why providing educational infrastructure is so crucial as the cornerstone for creating a place of knowledge and growth for generations to come.

Groundbreaker is a non-profit organisation based in Cologne, Germany. They work as a link between motivated donors and small local initiatives in the Global South. By providing straightforward support for social and environmental projects, Groundbreaker helps companies and individuals contribute to a fairer and better-preserved planet. Their donors are fully supported in their project-based contributions.

You can do your part by voting for your favourite sock design, buying the winning pair, and by stopping by Groundbreaker’s stall and learning more at our Berlin, NYC, and London events.

You can also make a direct donation above or reach out to Groundbreaker directly if you want to get involved and set up your own fundraiser.

We are planning on building this relationship with Groundbreaker for many years to come. Our goal with this long-term partnership is to help bring education to the global south, by focusing on one big project per year.

At the end of every year, we will evaluate several projects on a needs basis and pick one that we feel needs the most financial aid.
For 2022 this will be the Malawi School Computer Lab.

Groundbreaker works fully transparent and 100% of the donations reach the projects– something you can also check out in their annual report (The 2021 report will be released within the next couple of weeks – Please check back then).