French use donation apps for relief

French consumers are increasingly using peer-to-peer donation platforms like Geev to ease financial pressures caused by rising fuel prices, electricity and gas bills, and inflation on food products. These platforms allow users to give and receive items, helping them save money in times of economic hardship.

Survey shows frequent use of donations

According to a study by Geev, a peer-to-peer donation platform for objects and food, nearly 81% of the French have already retrieved an object due to financial constraints, with 51% doing so regularly. The survey highlights that the main categories of donations retrieved include clothing (39%), children's products (28%), and household appliances (27%).

Food insecurity affects many

A separate survey conducted by OpinionWay for Action against Hunger on October 12 found that 13% of the French declare sometimes or often lacking food, about 7 million people. Among those aged 18-24, the proportion rises to one in four, showing that younger people are particularly affected by food insecurity.

Test shows limited savings

To test whether food and hygiene product needs can be met through peer-to-peer donations, RMC Conso conducted a 24-hour test using the Geev platform. Within a 10-kilometer radius in Seine-et-Marne (77), the test retrieved four donations, but the savings were estimated at only two euros using the free version of the app.

Costs reduce savings further

However, calculating the actual price of the products retrieved, the total was evaluated at 21.96 euros. Accounting for the additional fuel cost for traveling to retrieve the donations, the net saving was approximately 17 euros, showing that the real benefit depends on location and transportation costs.

Platform encourages giving and taking

The Geev platform includes a "give and take" concept: the more users give, the more they can retrieve donations. Users also earn credits, which give them more freedom to make more requests and acquire more items. According to the Geev survey, 72% of respondents see the application as a real "purchasing power bonus."

Platform's origins and goals

Hakim Baka, co-founder of the platform, noted that Geev was born around anti-waste and reuse, and now it also addresses a purchasing power issue. Despite some limitations, like the need for flexibility in scheduling and the potential for unfulfilled appointments, the platform is considered a real good deal for economic, social, and environmental reasons.

Geev's impact over time

Since its launch in 2017, the Geev platform has allowed more than 70 million objects to be given a second life, showing its long-term impact on reducing waste and helping people in financial need.