Western Union unveils “Chain of Betters” to create positive change globally

“Chain of Betters” awards grants to individuals or communities nominated by others

November 2015 : Dubai – United Arab Emirates :  Western Union announced a campaign to kick start a chain of good deeds by pledging to help fund projects that aim to make lasting favorable change for individuals and communities.

The Western Union® Chain of Betters competition* will award US$1,000 (or local currency equivalent) for winning selfless “betters.” During the first phase, residents from 20 countries including UAE, Russia , Morocco, India & Philippines  will be invited to nominate betters, but with one important provision: the nominator will be entrusted to making the idea happen.  

“Western Union helps people move the money that creates an economic ripple effect. When money moves, we know that lives are improved,” said Western Union Chief Marketing Officer Diane Scott. “The Chain of Betters competition highlights and magnifies the impact that moving money has on millions of lives around the world.

“More than 75 percent of the $580 billion in global remittances are paid out in developing countries, according to the World Bank. 

“We see this first hand across our consumer-to-consumer (C2C)   and our business-to-business (B2B). Every single C2C transaction we process involves two individuals – a sender and a receiver, often located in diverse parts of the world – some of them are banked and others under-banked or un-banked. They send back to family and loved ones for regular support including education, gifts, emergencies and financial payments.

“Our C2C customers are what we call double-belongers - they have the ability to make a difference in multiple places at once. 

“Our B2B customers are business pioneers—from startups to small-and medium-sized enterprises – and have a need to quickly and easily move money around the globe in different currencies. They work hard to make their local business successful which in turn propels the global economy. 

The Western Union Chain of Betters competition celebrates this movement of money that helps stimulate the economics within a household, a business and the broader global community,” Scott concluded.

To kick off the Chain of Betters competition, some grants have already been awarded. 
•    In Mexico, a group of farmers now access pedal-powered mills to grind corn. View video
•    In India, the grant paid for a boat that will allow a village’s school-aged children safe access to a school. View video
•    In Ghana, a hospital is now “Bettered” with a new power generator. View video

Chain of Betters nominations can be made by legal residents over the age of 18 in Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK and USA. The beneficiaries can be located anywhere, worldwide.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Nominations require a maximum 150-word description of how the idea would make the world a better place for others with US$1000. Ideas will be judged based on the extent they express a selfless good deed, bring positive and lasting change for a number of people, have the potential to do something of value in their community, inspire more people, serve others and make the world a better place 
Each entrant will also need to submit at least one photo of himself or herself and preferably two additional photos or a short video of the current situation or idea that will make the world better.  
The winning entrants and their “betters” will be published on the contest website, www.chainofbetters.com

* Enter between 12.01 on 15 October 2015 and 23.59 on November 30, 2015 (all times in GMT) (inclusive). No purchase necessary. Enter at www.chainofbetters.com and tell us how you would make the world a better place for others if you were given US$1,000 (maximum of 150 words plus one image) (2 additional photos and a video are optional). Prizes: 5 x US$1,000 for nominated project. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.chainofbetters.com. Open to legal residents over 18 years of age in Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE, UK and USA. Void where prohibited by law. 
Promoter: Western Union Financial Services Inc. 12500 E. Belford Avenue, Englewood, CO USA. Contact: Chain of Betters Promotion, WURS UK Limited Level 1, 200 Hammersmith Road Hammersmith London, UK W6 7DL.

Western Union may also run the competition in subsequent phases, with the right to amend details and participating countries for each phase, with the goal of awarding up to 100 prizes.