Many large companies establish impact arms or philanthropic programs to address social issues and support important causes. Uber and Spotify are two such corporations. Here’s how they use their influence to make a difference in the world, including partnering with Yuri Milner’s Tech For Refugees.
Uber’s Commitment to Global Challenges
Uber is a multinational transport company that provides services like ride-hailing and package and food delivery. To make movement equal for all, Uber seeks to address four environmental, individual, and societal challenges:
- Economic empowerment: Uber has championed a new approach to platform work and helps drivers and delivery people realize their ambitions.
- Safety: During the Covid-19 pandemic, Uber provided millions of free rides, meals, and deliveries to vulnerable communities and essential workers.
- Sustainability: Uber has pledged that, by 2040, all trips worldwide will be in zero-emission vehicles or use micro-mobility and public transport.
- Equity: Uber is an anti-racist company and has made many commitments to promote equity and rid its platform of racism.
In May 2023, Tech For Refugees announced a new program in partnership with Uber and the data-matching platform NeedsMap. The program’s mission was to meet the transport needs of those impacted by the February 6 earthquake in Turkey.
A grant from Tech For Refugees allowed NeedsMap users in the region to buy Uber ride credits. In turn, Uber covered the fees and costs for all rides taken and forwarded any payments to local drivers.
In August 2023, Tech For Refugees and Uber revealed that they would expand their partnership. Under the new program, another Tech For Refugees partner — the International Rescue Committee (IRC) — can access Uber credits.
The IRC will use Uber credits to support its work in providing healthcare, education, and integration services to refugees and vulnerable populations. Uber credits will also allow the IRC’s staff to travel safely and reliably, facilitating the organization’s humanitarian efforts.
Spotify’s Social Impact: Empowering People Through Music
Spotify has transformed how people access and enjoy music and podcasts. The audio streaming service uses its platform to increase awareness of the world’s most pressing issues and operates three social impact initiatives:
- Frequency, which seeks to create a space that represents the broad spectrum of Black artistry.
- EQUAL, a global music program and hub that empowers and spotlights the work of women artists and podcasters.
- GLOW, a global music program that amplifies and celebrates the voices of LGBTQIA+ creators and artists.
In 2022, Tech For Refugees and Spotify teamed up in response to the outbreak of war in Ukraine, to offer Spotify Premium to Ukrainian refugees at no cost.
Meanwhile, Spotify has embarked on a multi-year partnership with UNICEF. This partnership will explore how the power of music and audio can help young people affected by war and their caregivers heal and recover.
Music is a powerful tool for those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Studies show that music therapy has a positive effect on mental health as it stimulates the release of hormones like oxytocin, the so-called “love hormone.”
Tech For Refugees: Other Tech Partners
Spotify and Uber are just two of the tech-focused organizations that have partnered with Tech For Refugees to improve the lives of displaced people everywhere. Alongside Spotify, Flexport.org and Airbnb.org are inaugural partners of the initiative. Meanwhile, the IRC has been a Tech For Refugees partner since February 2023.
Learn more about the companies and organizations Tech For Refugees works with.
About Yuri Milner
Yuri Milner is a tech entrepreneur, author, and Giving Pledge signatory. He has co-founded several philanthropic programs centered on science and technology. Aside from Tech For Refugees, which he established with his wife Julia in 2022, these programs include the Breakthrough Initiatives, Breakthrough Junior Challenge, and Breakthrough Prize.
Milner published his first book, Eureka Manifesto: The Mission for Our Civilization, in 2021. Eureka Manifesto argues that the global issues facing humanity stem from our lack of a shared mission. Milner believes that we should commit to exploring and understanding the Universe to advance our scientific and technological knowledge.
