The end of Hilfma: A digital help network takes stock!

The end of Hilfma: A digital help network takes stock!

The era of the neighborhood aid app Hilfma is coming to an end-a seven-year success story that began during the Covid 19 pandemic and connected thousands of people. Based on a digital solution in a crisis period, the app was developed in just two weeks and helped over 7,200 users and more than 650 companies with services ranging from shopping aids to tutoring. "Our mission was to beat a digital bridge to strengthen solidarity in society," said Emir Selimović, Managing Director of the Dotbite software agency, behind Hilfma. The response was overwhelming, the commitment of the public enormous-a performance that also received support from large organizations such as Uniqa and the Austrian university, such as apaot reported.

Although Hilfma continued to be used after the peak of pandemic, it turned out that the original necessity in this form was no longer available. Many volunteer offers have been integrated into existing structures or have returned to everyday life. Dotbite plans to put resources in innovative digital projects in the future. "Hilfma was always intended in response to a special time. Now, after almost five years, the right moment has come to say goodbye to this heart project," said Selimović. The team was also behind the successful PCR test program "Everything Gurgelt!" involved and tirelessly involved in coping with pandemic, which illustrates the importance of their work.

To make Hilfma known, all the stops were drawn: Around 2,100 mayors in Austria were contacted directly to advertise the app in the municipalities. Millennials and volunteers support the announcement by flyers, social media and translations in several languages, which led to a rapid spread of the app. "We have often used auxiliary, and it was incredibly satisfactory to help people," said the founders, who also in the media like fm4 and the standard reported on their initiative. With the end of Hilfma, the vision of continuing to develop digital solutions that offer real added value - clear evidence of the engagement of Dotbite for technology and community.