How do you bring people with disabilities into the world of work, and into the heart of their community? And where do you find the money to start?
Bubamara, an NGO from Vinkovci, had the answer to the first question: open a café where people with Down syndrome would work. The second question led them to the Crowdfunding Academy in Zagreb. After completing the Academy, they decided to fund the opening of Buba Bar and its equipment through a crowdfunding campaign.
The campaign, “Extra Chromosome for Extra Coffee”, ran on Indiegogo with mentoring support from the Brodoto team. The community responded: 531 backers contributed $16,821, reaching 168% of the goal. It became the second most successful crowdfunding campaign in Croatia in 2016.
The campaign raised more than money. It showed that a community will stand behind a business built on inclusion, and it created jobs where people with Down syndrome can work and connect with their community.
See the campaign on Indiegogo and follow Bubamara’s work on their Facebook page.