BRUNA: digital coin to empower caregivers of dependent, vulnerable population
Published on
13/09/2024
About this project
Innovative Action description
→ Challenge to be addressed:
Formal caregivers, often family members, who care for dependent individuals face significant challenges, including physical, emotional, and social strain. These challenges not only affect their own well-being and quality of life but also their ability to continue providing care in a sustainable manner. In cities like Manresa, with an aging population, where there is a strategic focus on health and social care and a network of institutions dedicated to developing social and community assets, the existing support systems often fail to provide the desired coverage and impact. This is particularly evident in the lack of citizen engagement and awareness regarding the issues of dependency and vulnerability. The challenge, therefore, is to create a system that not only supports these caregivers but also engages the broader community in addressing the needs of dependent individuals.
→ The proposed solution:
The proposed solution is the creation of a Cyber-Health space in Manresa that centers around a circular economy model designed to support dependent individuals and their informal caregivers. This initiative introduces a system of "BRUNAs" (Bonus of Resources Useful for Needs & Assistance), which are virtual tokens earned by caregivers as a form of compensation for their caregiving efforts. These tokens can be exchanged for various activities, services, or social support offered by local and community institutions. The activities and services available are structured and monetized through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), ensuring that caregivers receive direct and tailored support that enhances their well-being. All activities are supervised and supported by health and social care professionals, ensuring that the solutions provided are in line with the caregivers’ and the dependent individuals' needs.
Formal caregivers, often family members, who care for dependent individuals face significant challenges, including physical, emotional, and social strain. These challenges not only affect their own well-being and quality of life but also their ability to continue providing care in a sustainable manner. In cities like Manresa, with an aging population, where there is a strategic focus on health and social care and a network of institutions dedicated to developing social and community assets, the existing support systems often fail to provide the desired coverage and impact. This is particularly evident in the lack of citizen engagement and awareness regarding the issues of dependency and vulnerability. The challenge, therefore, is to create a system that not only supports these caregivers but also engages the broader community in addressing the needs of dependent individuals.
→ The proposed solution:
The proposed solution is the creation of a Cyber-Health space in Manresa that centers around a circular economy model designed to support dependent individuals and their informal caregivers. This initiative introduces a system of "BRUNAs" (Bonus of Resources Useful for Needs & Assistance), which are virtual tokens earned by caregivers as a form of compensation for their caregiving efforts. These tokens can be exchanged for various activities, services, or social support offered by local and community institutions. The activities and services available are structured and monetized through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), ensuring that caregivers receive direct and tailored support that enhances their well-being. All activities are supervised and supported by health and social care professionals, ensuring that the solutions provided are in line with the caregivers’ and the dependent individuals' needs.
This project is looking for
We are looking for cities which are developing (or willing to do it) an integrated system of health and social care, surrounded by an ecosystem of a diversity of public and private stakeholders involved, and they are interested in introducing digital tools to have a better, more efficient alocation of resources and services needed and available, and to boost local enterpreneurs and business.
Dependent, vulnerable population and, specially, their informal caregivers are the focus of the project. Thus, working with families and other informal carers will be a priority of the transfer, together with the public and private providers of health and social care services, both already existing and potencial ones.
Dependent, vulnerable population and, specially, their informal caregivers are the focus of the project. Thus, working with families and other informal carers will be a priority of the transfer, together with the public and private providers of health and social care services, both already existing and potencial ones.
City size
Towns (< 50,000 inhabitants)
Regional development level of the city
Less developed regions
Transition region
More developed region
Applying to
EUI-IA Third Call for Proposals - Technology in cities
Launch of the Call in May 2024 - End of the Call in October 2024
See more about the call for proposals
EUI - Innovative Actions Third Call for ProposalsAuthor
Sònia Puyol González
Spain
European Projects and International Relations Manager
