What an evening. During the Dutch Interactive Awards, Online Department and Socialdebt took to the stage to receive a Golden DIA in the Digital for Good category. A category full of wonderful social projects, and that's exactly where they won the top prize.
And that feels like much more than just an award. It's recognition for a project that really makes an impact.
An app that does what needs to be done
Socialdebt helps young people with emerging debts to regain control of their finances. Not by punishing them, but by motivating them. The app combines smart technology with personal guidance and rewards for good behaviour. Think of a shopping gift card, a discount on your debt or a topped-up public transport card. Humane and effective.
Local authorities often struggle to reach young people, but Socialdebt does. And it works: young people pay off their debts in small steps and build a debt-free future. Socialdebt is now active in more than 75 local authorities, we have taken on more than £200,000 in debt, and the first young people are now completely debt-free.
Why does this work? Because it's different.
Together with Socialdebt, we have built something that connects with the lives of young people. We worked in a user-centred way, co-creating with young people and their supervisors. The insights we gained? We incorporated them directly into the flow. And we continuously tested everything with data and behavioural research (together with Leiden University and VU University Amsterdam).
The result is an app that not only feels good, but also does measurable good.
What the jury said:
A big problem, cleverly tackled. With an impact that would not have been achieved without this app. The flow is right, the target group is really being reached, and the future looks bright.
Credits where they belong
This award belongs to the entire Online Department team. To Socialdebt, to the supervisors, to the donors, to the young people themselves. And yes, a little bit to us too.
