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In Lille, this app allows you to make a donation to the homeless without cash and in just a few seconds

undefined undefined 19 janvier 2026 undefined 18h00

The Editor

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No more need to dig deep into your pockets! In Lille, a wonderful app is changing the way we give to people without homes. Tested for several weeks in the metro area, Solly allows passersby to make a donation through their smartphones, simply by scanning a QR code.

In Lille, where winter spares no one, solidarity is also being reinvented in a digital way. As cash gradually disappears from our bags, an association has found a simple, quick, and (most importantly) effective alternative to continue helping those who live on the streets.

A QR code to replace the begging tin

The principle of Solly is super easy. Volunteer homeless individuals have a personal payment card linked to a QR code. Passersby just need to scan it with their phone to make a donation, ranging from 2 to 100 euros, in just a few clicks. No cash, no contact, no awkwardness. In Lille, the city currently has the highest number of beneficiaries from this initiative, which has been tested in the North for several months.

More independence for beneficiaries

Contrary to popular belief, the money given is not completely free for use. The Solly card allows only the purchase of essential products: food, hygiene, transportation. It's impossible to buy alcohol, tobacco, or lottery tickets, and cash withdrawals aren't allowed.
In conclusion: beneficiaries gain independence while maintaining a secure framework. Some feel they have received up to 30% more donations since the system was implemented.

« Before, I didn't even dare to ask »

In the streets of Old Lille, several homeless individuals testify to a real change. The card removes the barrier of the classic handout, often experienced as humiliating or anxiety-inducing. Donations become more discreet, smoother, and almost natural. Another advantage: 91% of donations arrive the very next day on the beneficiary's card. The rest is only used to cover the banking fees of the association.

Lille, a playground for solidarity experiments

If Solly is being tested in several French cities, Lille stands out as a laboratory in the country. Between cold spells, winter storms, and growing precariousness, the metropolis is particularly affected by the challenges of solidarity.
This app is part of a new way of helping: more direct, more modern, but still very human. It’s proof that technology can also help rebuild connections.