Solly: Lille-Based Startup Pioneers Digital Donations for France’s Homeless Population
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A new initiative is tackling the growing challenge of providing aid to France’s homeless population, as fewer people carry cash. Solly,a project launched this weekend in Lille,utilizes QR code-enabled cards to facilitate electronic donations,ensuring funds are used responsibly. “People often say, ‘I want to help, but I don’t have any change,'” according to its founder, aims to bridge the gap between charitable intent and practical limitations. The project’s creator, a 22-year-old from Lille with a background in communications and marketing, successfully funded the initiative through a crowdfunding campaign.
Addressing a Growing Need
The scarcity of cash, exacerbated by the rise of digital payments following the COVID-19 pandemic, has created a barrier for those wishing to directly support individuals experiencing homelessness. “We were blocked, so many people asked us if we didn’t have a TPE,” one individual experiencing homelessness shared, highlighting the demand for electronic payment options.
The Solly card, distributed by the local association Les Soldats du Sourire during outreach efforts on Saturday, features a QR code that donors can scan with their smartphones. The process requires donors to submit a short form with their personal and banking information, selecting the desired donation amount. Notably,no app download is required; a notification appears directly on the user’s screen.
Ensuring Responsible Giving
A key concern surrounding direct donations is ensuring funds are used responsibly. Solly addresses this through a partnership with Upcoop, limiting card usage to purchases of essential products and overnight stays. This restriction alleviates fears that donations might be used for non-essential items like alcohol or drugs.
Security is also a priority. A volunteer with Les Soldats du Sourire, Elodie Hague, explained that the cards are designed to be unusable if stolen, as they do not support contactless payments and require a confidential code. Donors also retain the ability to object to transactions.
Expansion and Future Outlook
The initial rollout will see 1,000 Solly cards distributed across 11 additional cities in France, including Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice, and Strasbourg, in the coming weeks. The first two months will serve as a period of experimentation and data collection, with an initial assessment planned following the trial period.
A 9% commission on each donation will be allocated to support two partner housing associations, Toit à Moi and Lazare.
Mixed Reactions and Ongoing Challenges
While many have welcomed the initiative, reactions are varied. A 21-year-old law student, Fleur Choppin, commented, “It’s a great initiative. We always have our phones with us, even though we don’t have much change anymore.” though, an older resident, 77-year-old Elianne, noted that the reliance on technology may not appeal to all demographics, stating, “It’s not bad, just our generation, the telephone is not our cup of tea either… That’s good for young people.”
Another similar project, “La Nouvelle pièce,” faced setbacks after a partner withdrew support in 2024, but its creators are aiming for a 2026 launch.
Despite the innovative approach, some experts remain skeptical. Sociologist Julien Damon cautioned that digital donations to strangers are still uncommon, even in more “cashless” societies like Sweden. He also pointed out that “some of the people who give can be quite insecure” about completing mobile transactions with individuals they do not know. Damon further observed that “dematerialization is obviously extremely problematic for people who are begging, and that all the specific solutions until today have not worked.”
According to the Housing Foundation (formerly the Abbé Pierre Foundation), France is home to approximately 350,000 homeless individuals, with around 20,000 living on the streets. Whether Solly can overcome the inherent challenges and establish a sustainable model for digital giving remains to be seen, but it represents a significant step toward adapting charitable giving to the realities of a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
