Introducing FLAN
Written by Co-Founder Majdy Miqdady
This entry is an introduction about FLAN, what it stands for and what it offers to the world.
The potential offered by alternative means of working such as freelancing or having a digital nomad lifestyle is a pathway many professionals are turning to in recent years. The digital infrastructure has provided a good base for matchmaking opportunities between professionals and employers, in addition to the worldwide web which facilitates the existence of such as infrastructure. As of January 2021, there were 4.66 billion active internet users worldwide, proving the internet’s value and enforcing the UN’s decision to enlist access to it as a human right in 2016. Complimentary and incremental to this infrastructure are the intermediate banking services that control and monitor the payment transactions these professionals need. Despite the advantages a banking system provides, 1.7 billion adults out of the 4.66 billion internet users remain unbanked- without an account at a financial institution or through a mobile money provider. Meaning that a large workforce is unable to benefit from the global village we are now a part of because they are not associated with a bank for whatever reason; and because account ownership is nearly universal in high-income economies, most unbanked adults live in developing economies.
To work online is not contingent on having a registered banking account somewhere, however, it is becoming a hindrance for many within the gig economy. A freelancer in a developing economy can be exempted from the thousands of opportunities online simply because their banking credentials, or lack thereof, do not match a set of requirements. Nomad freelancers who choose to have a traveler lifestyle while working from a laptop are restricted by banks, their transaction fees, and exchange rates. In a century where an individual’s options are celebrated, having a registered banking service is an option that should not be forced upon professionals and therefore limit their output within society.
It is our belief at FLAN that freelancing should be free from centralized institutions. We founded FLAN because we believe freelancing is a growing part of the future economy and our mission is to revolutionize the gig economy, making it more secure, transparent, sustainable, and decentralized. Our vision makes use of Blockchain technology, which is shifting how the world operates, focusing more on decentralized networks and creating unprecedented opportunities for millions out there.
Our vision of making a sustainable gig economy won’t come to fruition unless it was centered on supporting emerging communities. We aspire to create the conditions for prosperity through building an accessible and inclusive ecosystem; which makes our partner Celo the ideal candidate for this journey. Celo shares our values of making the gig economy available to as many professionals as possible around the world. They also grant us access to one of the most widely used blockchains for real-world use.
With the computing powers and technologies humankind has today, comes the responsibility to rethink the way we work and conduct business. COVID forced us to view the world through new eyes: we no longer need the 9 to 5 job in an office; we can choose to work at our convenience, conduct virtual meetings, and still finish what is required of us. Digital nomadism and freelancing are gaining major support and seem to have a lasting impact on the professional workforce worldwide, which is why we need to dig deeper into the issues of today and build the tools of tomorrow. Together we can shift norms and create a digital hub for freelancers and nomads worldwide.
Our Flan Values:
· Drive Change.
· Embrace Local.
· Express Individuality.
· Inspire Creativity.
· Liberate Time.
· Push Limits.
· Seek Authenticity.
· Unleash Imagination.
· Value People.
· Shift Norms.
Flan is a community of crazy people who are on a mission to change the world. If you want to know more about us, check out our website: www.flan.design. You can join our community on discord, and stay updated by following our social media channels: LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram.
