FACEBOOK IS HELPING PEOPLE IN EUROPE DO MORE
From innovative small businesses to community initiatives, people in Europe are creating positive change on our platforms.
Facebook is helping businesses in Europe do more.
Helping small businesses grow their customer base.
In the EU, the majority of small businesses surveyed that used Facebook’s apps, said doing so helped them attract new customers in the pandemic. By connecting small businesses to new customers across Europe and beyond, Facebook is helping these businesses to grow.
“Facebook means our shoes aren’t just worn in Belgium, but all over the world.”
— Nathalie, owner of Les Casse-pieds
After establishing a passionate local following in Belgium, children’s shoe shop Les Casse-pieds went on to use Facebook and Instagram to expand into new markets, including the US and Australia — growing, even as the pandemic took hold. The business now attributes up to 80% of international sales to Facebook’s apps and services. Nathalie uses Instagram as a great source of customer feedback that enables her to keep fine-tuning her product and how she markets it.
“Using Facebook, we went from food truck to nationwide business.”
— Shannon and Declan, owners of Rívesci
Every day, more European businesses are moving online. Many are increasing their use of social media to boost sales and connect with new audiences. Just like Irish food business Rívesci. During lockdown, owners Shannon and Declan were forced to pivot their business from a food truck to selling condiments online. They credit Facebook and Instagram as being instrumental to their success, as Facebook’s apps allowed them to connect with more than 25,000 people with just a €5 ad spend.
Learn how Facebook is helping Rívesci to do more here.
Facebook is helping communities in Europe do more.
Empowering communities.
More than 200 million people in Europe are members of active Facebook Groups. By bringing together like-minded people, Facebook’s apps are empowering communities.
“Our Facebook Group turns empty fields into precious forests.”
— Roberto from RiForestiAmo Italia
Special interest groups on social media are an invaluable way for people to connect and create change. Among these is RiForestiAmo Italia, a conservation community that uses its Facebook Group to organise reforestation drives in Italy and abroad. To date, its members have planted around 300,000 trees that capture up to 42,000 tonnes of CO2 every year. In the Group, volunteers also exchange tips on how to fight climate change and reduce carbon emissions on an individual level. Through its skills sharing and ongoing tree planting efforts, RiForestiAmo Italia is driving real progress in sustainability.
“Our Facebook Group helps turn young creatives’ ideas into reality.”
— Young Creators Group
Facebook’s apps and services are helping people connect to find support, advice and friendship. Among these is Netherlands-based Young Creators Group on Facebook. The Group offers career advice to young creatives, reviews start-up business plans and organises conferences and meetups where members can network and share ideas. Moderator Tino says the Group has helped many members start new businesses, including a 17-year-old who has just opened his fourth ice cream shop. With over 32,000 members, the Group’s positive influence is wide-reaching. “Without Facebook Groups we would never have been able to facilitate so many people,” says Tino.