Imagine a world where long-forgotten causes receive attention and action, all thanks to ingenious, user-friendly technology. Meet Solly, the brainchild of Tim Deguette, a young mind bustling with ideas and a heart full of compassion. Just when you thought the innovation train had left the station without you, here comes a delightful surprise. Integrated within a sleek web-app, Solly offers a new way to support the homeless community. It’s like Santa, but instead of reindeers, it’s powered by smartphones and a dash of your goodwill. Pair this with a secure payment card, and voilà, your donations reach those truly in need. The prize? A National Recognition Award. It’s not every day a small spark of empathy gets the pomp and glory of a big-stage success story.
It all started when a young man’s encounter with a homeless person sparked an idea big enough to revolutionize social support. Meet Tim Deguette, a visionary from Lille who, at the tender age of 21, decided it was time to make social action more accessible and transparent. Enter Solly, a groundbreaking web-app set to officially launch in 2025, designed to enable users to confidently donate while choosing exactly where their money goes.
Solly tackles homelessness with a modern twist—a smart card that replaces traditional donation mechanisms with contactless options through smartphones. With over 330,000 people without homes in France in 2023, the app’s promise of transparency and effective allocation of funds is a much-needed remedy.
The national acclaim for this initiative was sealed with the Pépite National Prize, acknowledging Solly’s significant social impact. For Tim, taking Solly from a simple idea to a recognized platform underlines the power of social entrepreneurship to inspire change.
With aspirations to educate and involve more citizens, Tim wishes to transform donations into a journey towards secure housing, anchoring the belief that each of us can become agents of change. It’s high time we say goodbye to the excuse, « Sorry, I have no cash, » and instead embrace this opportunity to evolve into compassionate superheroes—one touch at a time!
solly: the idea that sparked a movement
In the hustle and bustle of life’s daily chaos, every now and then comes a story that makes us stop and think. This is the story of a 17-year-old Tim Deguette who found himself contemplating social justice while being asked for change on the streets of Lille. With only a few coins in his pocket and an inclination for social change germinating in his mind, Tim realized the immense gap in how contributions could impact lives. Unable to buy the man a drink, he chose food instead. This choice, simple yet thoughtful, would later spark the birth of Solly, a platform aimed at transforming the way we perceive and perform acts of charity. The seed planted then has grown into a profound initiative that we’re still marveling at today.
how solly works its magic on social exclusions
Fast forward to today, one may ask, what exactly is Solly? Solly is not just another app; it’s an avant-garde approach to modern philanthropy. By providing secure, digital payment cards for homeless individuals, Solly enables recipients to receive donations directly through smartphones. While some might face skepticism about donating change, Solly offers a transparent solution, ensuring funds are directed towards essentials like food and shelter. The app reflects a broader mission to make social action accessible and meaningful. With more than 330,000 people living without homes in France, Solly bridges the divide, turning fleeting moments of goodwill into sustainable support. This initiative challenges traditional charity models by empowering individuals with informed choices, thereby redefining how we see community support.
tim deguette’s recognition and the road ahead
For Tim Deguette, the recognition Solly has received isn’t just a personal accolade but a testament to the power of collective compassion. Recently awarded the National Prize for Excellence, Solly is setting the bar high for innovative social programs. But beyond basking in accolades, the platform continues to draw in younger audiences, dispelling the myth that philanthropy belongs solely to big brands or organizations. From securing €79,349 in crowdfunding to winning the coveted Pépité prize, Solly is marching forward with plans that hold a vision to overturn the conventional charity landscape. In the words of Tim, “Every donation counts”, and Solly has proved that even in a digital age, we’re never too far from extending our reach to lend a helping hand.
