Partnering with UNICEF Sweden, this project aims to strengthen collaborations with Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to support UNICEF's mission of protecting children's rights and fostering their potential. 



With 1.2 million companies in Sweden, 99.9% classified as SMEs, and over 5,000 recurrent donors, there is significant potential to enhance corporate partnerships. Currently, UNICEF primarily engages SMEs through single donations during major campaigns.



Goal:
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Encourage consistent support by fostering a monthly donation subscription program.

We found that many organizations similar to UNICEF provide comprehensive social media packages, which are highly popular among SMEs.


For instance, we examined various non-profit organizations to understand the types of support and incentives they offer to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

These packages enable businesses to effectively showcase their positive social and environmental footprints, enhancing their brand image and engagement with customers. Additionally, we explored other engagement strategies such as branded content collaborations, recognition programs, and digital marketing support.

However there must be a reason on why UNICEF is receiving one-time or seasonal donations from SMEs even when such services are available to them.

Before conducting interviews, we clarified the problem by defining and reversing it, then collecting and reversing ideas. This approach enabled us to identify solutions with strong impact.

Then we formed our hypotheses and based upon them two sets of survey questionnaires were developed, one set for SME’s who already donate and one more generic.

We managed to interview 8 SME’s, 6 phonecall interviews and 2 personal.



Our survey revealed clear patterns in donation behaviors and motivations among companies. Most donations (62.5%) are directed towards children’s welfare and health organizations, with a strong preference for supporting local causes (75%). 



Personal motivations, such as personal experiences and corporate social responsibility, drive these contributions. Additionally, recurring donations are common, often involving employee participation to strengthen connections to the cause. 



Key factors motivating partnerships with UNICEF include transparency and accountability (100%), alignment with company values (83.3%), and employee involvement (66.7%). Companies prefer one-time donations (62.5%) and support during specific times of the year (75%), expecting detailed impact reports (87.5%) in return. 



These trends indicate that companies prioritize transparency, value alignment, and meaningful engagement when donating, with a focus on local and children-centric initiatives.

Based on our research insights, we developed a subscription model centered around Badges, each representing a specific cause that SMEs wish to support. This approach allows companies to subscribe to multiple badges, reflecting their diverse philanthropic interests. 


Badge holders gain access to statistics and detailed results for their chosen causes, albeit in a generalized format to accommodate UNICEF’s focus on immediate needs. Additionally, subscribers can view and create events organized by other companies with the same badge, fostering networking and collaboration around shared causes. This last feature was highly appreciated by UNICEF, as it promotes community engagement and collective impact. Furthermore, SMEs can showcase their badges on social media, enhancing their visibility and advocating for their contributions. 



This badge-based subscription model aligns with the identified preferences for transparency, value alignment, and meaningful engagement, providing a sustainable and interactive way for SMEs to support UNICEF’s mission.

We developed a high-fidelity prototype for the "Friends of UNICEF" initiative with a landing page to effectively promote the program. Post-program, I revamped the site to enhance its visual appeal and user experience.

Additionally, I designed a comprehensive dashboard for subscribers, enabling them to view their contributions, upcoming events made by other SMEs, manage subscription details, and track their badges.

Who the solution is for:

SMEs that are currently contributing or would like to start contributing to UNICEF’s cause.
They would appreciate a more collaborative relationship with UNICEF.

It provides them with:

Ability to Contribute: Comfortable monthly payments
Recognition: Badge
Engagement: Networking events
Tangible results: Monthly Reports

I contributed on the research, the strategy process and designed the bagdes and the high-fidelity prototypes.

Special thanks to Leo Sommer, Business Manager SME at UNICEF Sweden, for their invaluable guidance and support and his valuable feedback, guidance and cooperation for this project. We also appreciate the Hyper Island community for providing a collaborative environment. We are grateful for the input from our peers and mentors, which significantly contributed to the success of this project.