How blockchain improves international aid and empowers communities (feat. Mercy Corps)

The Agenda Podcast: Decoding Crypto

Mercy Corps chief investment officer Scott Onder explains how the international NGO uses blockchain to streamline aid relief and breaks down its strategy for investing in crypto projects in emerging markets, particularly in the Global South, to help build community resilience and fight climate change.
The Agenda is brought to you by Cointelegraph and hosted/produced by Ray Salmond and Jonathan DeYoung. Follow Cointelegraph on X (Twitter) at @Cointelegraph, Jonathan at @maddopemadic and Ray at @HorusHughes. Jonathan is also on Instagram at @maddopemadic, and he makes the music for the podcast — hear more at madic.art.
Time codes:
(00:00) Introduction to The Agenda podcast and this week’s episode
(01:20) What is Mercy Corps? What does it do?
(03:41) Why Mercy Corps dove into crypto and blockchain
(08:56) How blockchain improves aid delivery in the Horn of Africa
(13:51) Are most NGOs interested in blockchain?
(16:10) How crypto is perceived in emerging markets
(22:18) What is the Mercy Corps Ventures fund?
(25:23) What is the Crypto For Good Fund?
(31:38) Lessons learned for future builders
(34:57) How Web3 can fight climate change
(40:55) Can crypto help migration crises?
(44:54) Scott Onder’s proudest accomplishments
(46:07) Benefits of decentralization in general
(48:18) Mercy Corps’ 2025 agenda
Follow Scott Andor on X at @scottonder.
Check out Cointelegraph at cointelegraph.com.
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The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast are its participants’ alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph. This podcast (and any related content) is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be taken as such. Everyone must do their own research and make their own decisions. The podcast’s participants may or may not own any of the assets mentioned.

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1. Introduction to The Agenda podcast and this week’s episode (00:00:00)

2. What is Mercy Corps? What does it do? (00:01:20)

3. Why Mercy Corps dove into crypto and blockchain (00:03:41)

4. How blockchain improves aid delivery in the Horn of Africa (00:08:56)

5. Are most NGOs interested in blockchain? (00:13:51)

6. How crypto is perceived in emerging markets (00:16:10)

7. What is the Mercy Corps Ventures fund? (00:22:18)

8. What is the Crypto For Good Fund? (00:25:23)

9. Lessons learned for future builders (00:31:38)

10. How Web3 can fight climate change (00:34:57)

11. Can crypto help migration crises? (00:40:55)

12. Scott Onder’s proudest accomplishments (00:44:54)

13. Benefits of decentralization in general (00:46:07)

14. Mercy Corps’ 2025 agenda (00:48:18)