Subject and goals of the project

The project is funded as part of the DBU's Green Start-up program. The aim of the project is to realize the so-called digital "global tip", which directly benefits the people in emerging and developing countries who produced the purchased product. The new digital solution for online stores initially focuses on the most sustainable textile production possible in Asia (especially in Vietnam, China and India), but also has other target countries and products in mind. When realized, the global tip can be added to the shopping cart with one click and everything can be paid as usual. The tip is divided between all workers in the production facility participating in the tip me system. Via Mobile Money, the production workers receive an SMS with an ID code; the tip is paid after the ID is presented at the local bank. The validity of the personal data is verified, as are the factories involved. This is done, among other things, via third-party certificates, such as the EU Eco Label and the Fair Trade seal. Communication between the tip me team and the factories or workers takes place via video call or WhatsApp chat. The following development steps are planned:

• Further development of the verification solution with CreditBureaus and expansion to be able to verify data through trusted sources
• Automation of tip transactions: Develop software that automatically calculates the tips due to individual workers in companies in target countries and triggers the corresponding financial transaction for all valid worker accounts
• Acquisition of at least six partner companies in Vietnam and/or India or China
• Scientific support is provided by, among others, the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences

Innovation and exemplary nature of the project

The vision of tip me is a world in which fair products, i.e. also fair pay, are a matter of course. By realizing the digital "global tip", tip me wants to help ensure that the tip directly benefits the people in emerging and developing countries who produced the very product purchased. For example, the person who picked the coffee purchased, or in the case of shoe or clothing purchases, the person who was involved in its production. Through stronger customer loyalty, companies also benefit from the system. The digital solution for online stores with a focus on the most sustainable textile production possible, initially in Vietnam, China and India, is so far new and unique.

Special aspects of the project

tip me raises awareness among end consumers in the global North that their own consumption behavior can contribute to fair production and appreciation of this work with an additional tip for the people who produced the purchased product. Increasing the transparency of the production process through tip me is also one of the key points. Even if the project cannot solve the problem of the low basic level of wages in the countries of the global South, it is a step toward greater justice, in particular toward strengthening the livelihoods of the workers involved. In the context of the recently passed Supply Chain Act, tip me can contribute to more transparency and justice in exemplary global supply chains of the textile industry and be a blueprint for other global supply chains.

Funding subject: Development, design and acceptance of environmentally-friendly consumer goods

Applicant:

• tip me Global UG (limited liability)

Associated partners:

• Partner companies and organizations from Asia

Locations: Germany, Asia (focus: Vietnam, China and India)

Funding period: August 2020 to August 2022

Project costs: Total volume: 124 220 Euro, DBU funding: 124 220 Euro

DBU-AZ: 35501/13

Note: Translation of the German version with DeepL

Last updated: 12.11.2021