SOS Relief is conceived of as a one time financial relief to cover basic costs. We have made the difficult decision to pause requests until everyone who has already asked for relief is matched. We know that there are many people still in need of support, but if someone puts in a request now, they would have to wait around 6 months. This would not be emergency relief, and it creates an expectation that we cannot meet.
We are not turning a blind eye to people in need. The request tool is now open for people in need to share their stories with us. Testimonies of individuals are crucial to help us make policymakers aware of the realities people live. Click Testimony in the form.
Our project for the new year is to restructure SOS Relief to make it more sustainable: decentralizing the workload, solving the problem of the waiting list (i.e. build-up of requests to receive), and making a shareable, open source version of the tool that other communities can use.
In the meantime, we are going all out to close the gap! Please join us (again) if you can.
WHAT IS IT
Via SOS RELIEF you can donate directly to someone in need. This tool facilitates person-to-person financial solidarity.
It connects people with financial stability to people faced with precarity as a result of the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium. SOS Relief is temporarily pausing the requests to receive, but we are not turning a blind eye as we are aware that precarity persists. Please feel free to share your story with us. This information is crucial to make policy makers aware of the realties people are living.
HOW IT WORKS
GIVE: select the amount you can give (50, 100, 200 or 400 euros). When we find someone who needs it, we will contact you with the bank details in order to make a direct, one-time transfer. You can give as many times as you want.
NEW: SOS Relief has introduced a new feature which enables a new form of engagement, called Golden Reliever: give the same amount to a new person once a month for 6 months!
TESTIMONY: Please share your story. This information is crucial to us to make policy makers aware of the realties people are living.
ABOUT US
State of the Arts is an open platform run by artists and cultural workers to reimagine the conditions that shape the art world today. find out more
We think of this tool as an experiment in a different way of doing things. It will have flaws. We are open to suggestions for how you think we can make this better. So, please be in touch and write to sosrelief@state-of-the-arts.net.
SOS RELIEF is run by volunteers, without funding. If you like this project and would like to help us, please make a donation to BE94523081066 514. Need an invoice? Send an email first to sosrelief@state-of-the-arts.net.
With thanks to Beursschouwburg, Kunstenpunt, Toneelhuis, STUK, Campo, workspacebrussels, Lazarus/Arsenaal, Concertgebouw De Singel, Buda, ARGOS, ACOD, Andante, Het Theaterfestival, WALPURGIS,
SPREAD SOLIDARITY
Spread the word and share the tool on social media.
Can your organization help promote the tool? Click here for the media kit.