THE Great Walk
THE Great Walk
(Fundraising Campaign to raise awareness & end global homelessness)
In an unprecedented initiative to raise awareness for the global homelessness crisis, Homeless Entrepreneur organizes “The Great Walk,” which is an epic 150 km walk to give a voice and presence to the 150 million homeless individuals worldwide: Every kilometer we walk represents 1 million people made of potential experiencing homelessness. The upcoming Great Walk will take place in two different countries at the same time: Argentina and Switzerland. The former will culminate in a sleep out in Mendoza after climbing Aconcagua (the highest mountain in the Americas at 6,961 meters) and the latter will coincide with the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
Our aim is to inspire individuals affected by homelessness and their future support network through our commitment to ending homelessness, so we can connect the two groups faster and ultimately speed up the process of ending their state of homelessness.
Problem(s)
#Homelessness In 2021, the World Economic Forum reported that 150 million people were homeless worldwide.
Solution
Inspire and activate the global labor force through actions that are beyond incredible. According to Wikipedia (2017), there are approximately 3.4 billion people, who could be part of the support network ending homelessness.
Opportunity
Homeless Entrepreneur aims to inspire 1% of the global labor force, 33.8 million people, by getting their attention through mass and social media during THE Great Walk. Raising awareness will then lead to recognition [338,200 people (1% of audience)] and ultimately positive, social change [3,382 people (1% of recognition)].
How we do it
For our upcoming Great Walk, we will have two Great Walks happening simultaneously for the very first time: Argentina and Switzerland!
(Argentina) 150 km trek that starts in Aconcagua Provincial Park, reaches Aconcagua's peak (the highest mountain in the Americas at 6,961 meters) and ends in Mendoza.
(Switzerland) 150 km trek that starts in Zurich, Switzerland and end in Davos for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.
1) Awareness Walk: 5 days of walking and talking with locals about the obstacles and opportunities related to the cost of living crisis, homelessness, inflation and poverty.
2) Challenging Status Quo: Communicating with the general public that watches television and uses social media to inspire recognition that will lead to action and ultimately positive, social change.
3) Clear Proposal: Homeless Entrepreneur’s programs (Helpline, Voices and the HELP Program) are designed to empower people made of potential out of poverty. We will be raising funds through a pledge per km walked to support future beneficiaries as well as building an international support network for them.
Next Location & Dates
(Starting Points) Zurich, Switzerland & Aconcagua Provincial Park: January 15, 2025
(Destinations) Davos, Switzerland & Mendoza, Argentina: January 19, 2025
Watch CNBC Interview!
New Merchandise
(Support The Great Walk & End Homelessness)
There is currently a waiting list to buy this new merchandise to support The Great Walk and End Homelessness with us! Each item costs 30€ plus shipping and handling.
Please click on the button below NOW and let us know 1) what item(s) you want 2) what size(s) if it’s a shirt and 3) how many items you want.
Join or Support The Great Walk!
(Please Fill out this Form to Get Involved)
Watch our first TV report of THE Great Walk! (Click on image below to watch)
Press
Please click on image below to see related press to THE Great Walk.
If you’re a journalist, communication professional or represent an organization that would like to cover THE Great Walk, please click on the button below and write us!
If you are currently experiencing homelessness and would like to be an active, working citizen again, please apply for our HELP program.
*All HELP beneficiaries are eligible for The Great Walk scholarship.
Make a Monthly Pledge per km!
Imagine walking 150 km to defend a cause you believe in…
Imagine conversing with locals who represent the global economy…
Imagine having the opportunity to give 150 million people living on the street, in temporary dwellings, at refugee camps, and in other transitory and often dangerous conditions a voice and presence, so they can be heard…
Become a Partner/Sponsor!
Please fill out the following form to request an exploratory meeting to discuss the opportunity of being a #THEgreatWalk partner/sponsor!
Partners
Collaborators
Listen to our Twelve Cities Song called “Paris” by Guillem S. Benet.
FAQs
Q: What is the specific location of the sleepout in Paris?
A: The experience is truly homeless so the sleepout location will be defined as a group upon arriving to Paris.
Q: Can you tell us, with your words, WHY you are doing this walk?
A: We are doing this walk to give 150 million people made of potential experiencing homelessness in the world a voice and presence at the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games in Paris. Instead of temporarily clearing the streets of Paris of homeless people and relocating them in other cities, we believe the homeless community should be given a chance to add value and shine as the host city and country showcases themselves to the world. Our walk is a conscious act of inclusion to inspire states and authorities to discontinue the practice of explusing homeless people during large events like the Olympics and start bringing the homeless community into the design of events that should be celebrated by all of its citizens. Each Great Walk will end homelessness for one of the participants and raise funds to do the same for current and future beneficiaries of our main programs: Helpline, Voices and HELP.
*All of the Great Walkers have experienced homelessness or social exclusion, or are currently supporting Homeless Entrepreneur beneficiaries.
Q: What kind of volunteers are needed?
A: Please see most common volunteer profiles below:
Walkers: Volunteers are invited to join us in the walk! They can join us for 1 hour, 1 day or the entire 150 km!
Fundraisers: Help us raise funds to end homelessness for beneficiaries in our main programs thanks to The Great Walk!
Team Support: Help us develop The Great Walk project as a volunteer team member, which will allow you to get involved in the operations and weekly meetings!
Promotors: Spread the word in your social media and get the press involved!
Connectors: Connect us with individuals and companies who would like to support The Great Walk!
Q: Where do your volunteers come from?
A: 206 countries will be represented at the XXXIII Olympic Summer Games in Paris and every nationality is invited to join our cause! Europe, the United States, Latam and Africa are currently leading the way with volunteer support.
Q: What’s the route for The Great Walk to Paris?
A: We will start in Orleans, France on July 21 and arrive to Paris on July 25th. The exact route will be published in June.
Q: How do people register for The Great Walk?
A: People interested in joining or support The Great Walk must fill out the Join or Support The Great Walk form on this landing page.
Q: Can we donate to support The Great Walk?
A: Yes, you can donate to support The Great Walk. We have a specific link for donations, https://donorbox.org/the-great-walk.