Description
Zlto is a non-profit platform that leverages blockchain technology to increase engagement among youth, tracking positive behaviour via live dashboards and encouraging desired behaviours through an innovative rewards system. Users earn the Zlto digital currency by self-earning (learning, volunteering, community upliftment), completing microtasks, or filling out surveys, and can redeem these rewards across a network of roughly 3,000 vendor stores (including major retailers such as Shoprite and PEP) for goods like food, transportation, connectivity, and healthcare services. The platform provides a mobile wallet, a Digital Impact CV that documents completed tasks and skills, and a data dashboard for partners to track verifiable, blockchain-backed impact metrics such as attendance, skills gained, and SDG contributions. Zlto serves three main partner types: vendors who supply incentives, clients (community and enterprise-development organisations) who use Zlto to incentivise beneficiaries toward impact objectives, and funders/impact investors seeking measurable, cost-effective social return on investment. Since its 2016 public beta, Zlto has partnered with organisations including Mastercard Foundation, UNICEF, and UNDP, expanded into Tanzania and Nigeria, launched 'Zlto Biz' for small business support, and registered as an NPC in 2021. Its current flagship initiative, 'Pathways to Possibilities' (P2P), takes 1,000 South African youth through Learn-to-Earn programs in Tech, Green Economy, and Micro-Entrepreneurship, allowing them to earn up to R750 monthly in Zlto as an alternative to government social relief grants.