Future Processing joins with UNICEF to Give the Gift of Life
Around the world, the act of Christmas gifting to business partners and clients is a lucrative one – to the tune of around $125 billion worldwide. In Poland, around 124 Euros is spent on each business gift – a huge expenditure considering that only 17% of recipients find business gifts useful or desirable. Although it is, of course, important to acknowledge business partners at Christmas, a Polish software company, Future Processing, has hit upon a way to show appreciation whilst putting the Christmas gift spend to good use.
From Poland with love
UNICEF Polska’s ‘Gifts Without Boxes’ campaign marks a new era in corporate and business gifting. Instead of gifting a tie that will never be worn or a desk gizmo which will never be used, businesses can, instead, help to save lives. The initiative allows people to buy a gift box containing vital supplies such as water purification tablets, high energy peanut past and exercise books and pencils to be delivered to needy children. A gift card is then sent to the business associate explaining that the gift has been issued on his or her behalf.
Unblocking lifelines with blockchain
Future Processing’s contribution to UNICEF’s initiative uses the power of blockchain to provide an online service for its customers. The company will allocate each gift recipient a funding amount to be spent in its online shop. The recipient is then able to choose a gift – which can be anything from school supplies to life-saving vaccinations – to be sent to those who need it the most. Future Processing’s Michal Sztanga says, “We were looking for a way to show gratitude and affection to our clients and partners differently, making good use of the funds allocated for gifts. We decided to get involved in co-operation with UNICEF.’”
Uniting nations and saving lives
Launched in 1946, UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) works tirelessly to improve child mortality and the standard of living across the globe. With research centers and offices around the world including New York, Florence, Tokyo, Geneva, Poland and Brussels, UNICEF’s motto is ‘Every child has the right to survive and thrive’. UNICEF Polska’s Gifts Without Boxes is the first initiative to target business gifting through charity work. UNICEF Polska’s Committee Co-ordinator, Malgorzata Rychlik, explains, “The purchase of a ‘Gift Without A Box’ is an unusual form of donation for which UNICEF will deliver a selected product to countries in which our programs are run. Children receive life-saving drugs, vaccines, medical equipment, and therapeutic food – as well as items, which improve living conditions and enable children to learn.”
The future of business gifting
Future Processing is a team of software experts based in Gliwice, Poland. Offering a number of IT and software services, the company has an impressive roster of clients including Volkswagen, Zest, Marston and mPay. No stranger to using its power for good, Future Processing has also provided software solutions to the UK’s Freedom From Torture – an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering victims of torture.
As Future Processing joins forces with UNICEF, it’s hoped that many more businesses across the globe will follow suit. With hundreds of billions of dollars spent every year on unwanted and un-needed gifts, UNICEF’s initiative has the power to save the lives of thousands of children as well as providing the educational tools necessary for these children to help themselves.
Ringing in the changes
2020 promises to be a year of great change as we become more aware of the world around us and the need to protect it. Future Processing and UNICEF are setting a great example but, gifts are not just for Christmas – we can keep giving the whole year-round.