Empowering Local Communities - A Digital Platform Connecting Consumers and Local Producers
The project aims to develop a digital platform that connects local producers and consumers. This platform will help small-scale local producers overcome the challenges of high costs and technical knowledge required for creating and maintaining a digital storefront. The goal is to promote local and responsible consumption in Europe by leveraging digitalization to make local products more widely known and accessible.
Cross-border/international
Belgium
Luxembourg
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Disclaimer: Countries were added as those are mandatory fields to proceed further, but the concept has not yet been implemented.
Mainly rural
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
The goal of the project is to develop a digital marketplace connecting micro local producers with customers. It aims to promote responsible and sustainable consumption by providing an easy and convenient way for customers to discover and purchase products from local producers.
The platform shall allow micro producers to showcase their products and prices on a digital storefront, and customers to make orders, pay, book a slot for pick-up, and collect their purchases on-site. This eliminates barriers to consume locally, such as lack of visibility and accessibility. The platform will also allow customers to search for products and producers based on various criteria, and will provide an easy and centralised management of orders for producers. A preliminary analysis shows that there is currently no platform offering such flexible services, and this platform aims to fill that gap.
To ensure the platform is tailored to the needs of key users, we plan to co-create it with consumers and producers and adapt it accordingly. Different extensions will be possible depending on the interest shown by consumers/producers (e.g. incorporating package delivery to ensure inclusivity or offering a function for consumers to evaluate producers based on relevant criteria in their field of activity).
The platform development objective will be achieved through the following steps:
1.) Completion of a business plan as part of a management master's thesis project at the Louvain School of Management (evening classes).
2.) Based on the business plan, creation of a minimum viable platform (MVP) in the Walloon Brabant region.
3.) Continuous improvement of the MVP by incorporating feedback from local consumers and producers, ensuring the platform meets their needs and is constantly evolving.
Responsible Consumption
Local Consumption
Empowering Local Communities
Producer-to-Consumer
Digital Marketplace
Sustainability Objectives
1. Supporting the local economy: By connecting consumers with local producers, the platform helps to promote and support the local economy. This can have a positive impact on the community by keeping money within the local area and supporting local jobs.
2. Reducing environmental impact: By reducing the need for intermediaries and transportation, the platform can help to reduce the environmental impact of consumer goods. This can be achieved by reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and packaging, as well as reducing the energy and resources needed to produce and distribute products.
3. Promoting sustainable practices: By connecting consumers with micro local producers, the platform can help to promote sustainable practices among producers. By providing a direct link between consumers and producers, the platform can help to promote transparency and accountability, which can encourage producers to adopt more sustainable practices.
4. Encouraging community building: By connecting consumers with local producers, the platform can help to encourage community building by promoting a sense of connection and shared purpose among local residents.
5. Supporting small-sized enterprises: By connecting consumers with micro local producers, the platform can help to support small enterprises by providing them with a new way to reach customers and sell their products.
To be exemplary in this context, the platform could have strict guidelines for the products, certifications for the producers, transparency in the supply chain, and a clear and direct communication with the consumers about the origin and the production of the products. Additionally, the platform could also have an educational section to promote sustainable practices and the benefits of local economy.
The key objectives of this project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people is to provide an easy-to-use, visually pleasing, and engaging platform that promotes positive emotions and cultural benefits. The design of the platform will be user-centered and will aim to make the experience of discovering and purchasing products from local producers as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
To achieve this, the design will focus on creating a visually appealing and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, and that showcases the products and producers attractively. The platform will also be designed to make it easy for customers to search for products and producers based on various criteria such as location, type of activity, organic and fair trade options, prices etc. This will help customers to find the products they are looking for and to discover new products and producers.
The platform will also aim to promote positive emotions by providing an enjoyable and satisfying experience for customers. This can be achieved by providing useful information about the products, offering a secure and easy payment process, and by making it easy for customers to book a slot for pick-up and collect their purchases on-site. The platform will also aim to promote cultural benefits by connecting customers with local producers and encouraging responsible and sustainable consumption.
Furthermore, this platform is able to fill the gap in the market by providing the flexibility and convenience that other platforms do not currently offer. The platform is also developed with the user in mind, by co-creating it with key users (consumers and producers) and adapting it as much as possible to their needs.
Inclusion Objectives
1. Accessibility and affordability: By connecting consumers with micro local producers, the platform can help to make products more accessible and affordable for all. This can be achieved by reducing the costs of intermediaries, transportation and packaging, and providing a platform for consumers to purchase products directly from local producers.
2. Inclusive governance systems: By providing a platform for consumers to purchase products directly from local producers, the platform can help to create inclusive governance systems that are more democratic and participatory. This can be achieved by providing a platform for users to interact and engage with one another, and by promoting transparency and accountability.
3. Design for all principles: By providing a platform that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and inclusive, the platform can help to promote design for all principles. This can be achieved by providing a platform that is accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, and by promoting inclusive design practices among local producers.
4. New societal models: By connecting consumers with local producers, the platform can help to promote new societal models that are more sustainable, ethical, and inclusive. This can be achieved by promoting transparency and accountability, encouraging sustainable practices, reducing environmental impact, and by promoting community building.
5. Inclusion of underprivileged groups: By connecting consumers with local producers, the platform can help to include underprivileged groups by providing them with a new way to reach customers and sell their products. This can be achieved by providing a platform for small-sized enterprises, and by promoting transparency and accountability.
By connecting consumers directly with local producers and promoting sustainable practices, the platform can serve as an exemplary model for promoting inclusive and sustainable consumption.
The proposed platform will benefit citizens by connecting them with local producers and providing them with an easy and convenient way to discover and purchase products. This can help to promote responsible and sustainable consumption, and encourage citizens to support their local economy. By making it easy for customers to search for products and producers based on various criteria, the platform will also help to promote cultural benefits by connecting customers with local producers.
The platform's success will depend on active involvement from citizens, specifically consumers and local producers, in the co-creation process. Their input and feedback will shape the platform to meet their needs and preferences, leading to greater adoption and usage. As the main users of the platform, citizens will be directly impacted by its design and effectiveness.
By involving civil society in the creation process, the platform will better reflect the needs and preferences of citizens. This enhances the likelihood of the platform's goal to foster responsible consumption and support local economies. Inclusivity is also ensured as the participation of diverse groups of citizens guarantees the platform addresses the needs of all.
Disclaimer: As the concept is not yet developed, this section depicts how the different stakeholders WILL BE engaged.
The involvement of various stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) is critical to the success of the platform's design and development. Each group brings unique insights, resources, and expertise to the table.
Local stakeholders, including local producers, consumers, and community organizations, will play a key role in co-creating the platform. This will ensure that the platform is tailored to local market needs, providing a better experience for all.
Regional organizations such as trade associations will also be consulted to provide insight into regional trends and regulations (to ensure compliance with national laws).
European Commission documents will be consulted to ensure alignment with cross-border trade regulations and European initiatives.
Stakeholder engagement provides several benefits. It ensures that the platform meets the needs of all relevant groups, reduces the risk of legal and regulatory issues, and builds support for the platform's success and sustainability.
In conclusion, engaging with stakeholders is vital to the design and development of the platform. It provides valuable input, ensures compliance with regulations, and leads to a comprehensive approach to inclusion and sustainability.
Disclaimer: As the concept is not yet developed, this section depicts which disciplines and / or knowledge fields WILL BE reflected in the design and development of the concept.
The following disciplines and knowledge fields will be reflected in the design and development of the concept:
Market research and economics: To understand the local and regional markets, market research and economic analysis will be conducted to provide insights into consumer preferences, demand trends, and market opportunities.
Business administration: Representatives from the field of business administration will be involved in the development of the business model and in ensuring that the platform is financially sustainable.
Information technology: Experts in information technology will be involved in the development of the platform, ensuring that it is user-friendly and meets the technical requirements for a modern e-commerce platform.
Design for all: To ensure that the platform is inclusive, representatives from the field of design for all will be involved in the development of the platform, ensuring that it is accessible to all users regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
Sustainability: To ensure that the platform promotes sustainability, representatives from the field of sustainability will be involved in the development of the platform, ensuring that it promotes sustainable practices and reduces environmental impact.
Representatives from these different fields will interact with each other through a collaborative design process, sharing their expertise and insights to ensure that the concept is comprehensive and well-rounded. The added value of this process will be a platform that takes into account the needs of all relevant groups, ensuring that it is inclusive and sustainable. The collaborative design process will also encourage cross-disciplinary learning and knowledge-sharing, resulting in a platform that is innovative and cutting-edge.
The proposed platform is innovative when compared to mainstream actions in the field of connecting local producers and customers, as it aims to provide a more convenient and flexible way for customers to discover and purchase products from local producers. The platform will allow producers to showcase their products and prices on a digital storefront, and customers to make orders, pay, book a slot for pick-up, and collect their purchases on-site. This eliminates barriers to consuming locally such as lack of visibility and accessibility. The platform also allows customers to search for products and producers based on various criteria, and provides an easy and centralised management of orders for producers.
Currently, there are platforms that provide a directory of local producers and products, but they do not provide the ability to make an order, pay and pick-up the products on the same platform. Additionally, these platforms often focus on only one aspect of the buying experience, such as the discovery or the order process, and not on the whole process. The proposed platform aims to provide the whole process in one place and to make it easy, convenient, and enjoyable for customers.
Another innovative aspect of the concept is the involvement of key users in the development process by co-creating the platform with consumers and producers and adapting it as much as possible to their needs.
One key element that can be replicated is the use of a digital marketplace to connect local producers with customers. This concept can be applied to other regions and contexts to promote responsible and sustainable consumption and support local economies.
Another key element that can be replicated is the use of a user-centered approach in the design and development of the platform. The co-creation process with key users (consumers and producers) can be used in other contexts to ensure that the platform is tailored to the needs and preferences of the intended users.
The platform's ability to allow customers to search for products and producers based on various criteria, and provides an easy and centralized management of orders for producers, can also be replicated in other contexts. This feature can make it easy for customers to find the products they are looking for and to discover new products and producers.
The platform's ability to provide a whole process (order, payment, pick-up) in one place and to make it easy, convenient, and enjoyable for customers is also an innovative aspect that can be replicated in other contexts.
Finally, the platform's potential to offer different extensions such as package delivery or a function for consumers to evaluate producers based on relevant criteria in their field of activity can be replicated to other places, groups of beneficiaries and contexts, depending on the interest and needs to be shown by users.
The concept addresses several global challenges by providing localized solutions, including:
Sustainability: By connecting consumers with local producers, the concept reduces the environmental impact of transportation, packaging, and intermediaries. This promotes sustainable practices and reduces the carbon footprint of the supply chain.
Inequality: By providing a platform for local producers to reach consumers directly, the concept helps to include underprivileged groups, promoting economic and social equality.
Economic stability: By promoting local economies and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, the concept helps to create economic stability and reduces dependence on larger, centralized systems.
Food security: By connecting consumers with local producers, the concept promotes food security by providing access to fresh, locally sourced products and reducing the risks associated with global supply chains.
Community building: By promoting interactions between consumers and local producers, the concept helps to build stronger, more inclusive communities.
By addressing these global challenges with localized solutions, the concept has the potential to promote sustainable and inclusive development on a local and global scale. The added value of this approach is the ability to create impactful and sustainable solutions at the local level, while also contributing to global efforts to address these challenges.
