New app earns people in Derry with prediabetes 'Civic Dollars'

Civic Dollars, a mobile app that rewards people for spending time in parks and public spaces, is now live in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area after Developing Healthy Communities secured £247k from Innovate UK using the Contracts for Innovation mechanism for a programme that supports pre-diabetic individuals to improve their health and wellbeing through small, achievable steps.  

Anyone living with prediabetes who meets the programme criteria can start earning rewards by downloading the Civic Dollars app (available on android and iPhone) and joining the ‘DHCNI – pre-diabetic programme’ group.  

Users earn Civic Dollars for every 30 minutes spent in designated earn zones, which can then be exchanged for rewards from local businesses or donated to local charities. 

Launching the initiative, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Ruairi McHugh says: “This innovative programme gives our residents an exciting new way to improve their health and wellbeing, while also boosting local businesses and community groups.

"By rewarding people for spending time in our parks and green spaces, Civic Dollars will help us create a healthier, more connected and environmentally aware community.”

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DHC Chief Executive Edel O’Doherty adds: “We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Civic Dollars and to have received Innovate UK funding to bring this exciting initiative to Derry and Strabane. Civic Dollars is a fun, motivating way for people—particularly those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes to take control of their health and wellbeing.”

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations.

Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.