Bitburg-Prüm, Germany, LocalHelper

LocalHelper, LocalHelfer in German, is an innovative online tool, where people needing support can be matched with volunteers in their neighbourhood, powered by an algorithm that pairs the closest helper to the requester based on specific need.

Initiated during the early days of the pandemic, when government agencies were overwhelmed with requests for help, the project was designed to create a neighborhood help system, providing seniors and unvaccinated people with the basics of life by engaging their neighbors as nearby “supporters.” Collaborating with TMF were the Bitburg-Prüm regional government, the German Red Cross, German Caritas, volunteer groups from the region, and software development by Erlkönig.io.

A growing number of seniors and people with disabilities who live in remote areas in Europe are dependent on inadequate or non-existent public transport, which creates isolation and hardship in these lesser-served areas. From basic needs, such as food and medical appointments, to social connectivity, a large gap is emerging. The EU estimates that 30 million people consistently feel lonely, and that 75 million people talk with another person only once a month.

The solution? Build an online tool to facilitate social interaction—one that could be adapted for a range of uses, such as ride sharing, errands, walking the dog, etc. The primary beneficiaries of this project are people with reduced mobility, including seniors or people with disabilities. However, the broader community will also benefit from enhanced communication, creating networks and bridging barriers.           

The project was completed in 2021 and is available as free software on GitHub.