FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Curious to find out more? Below are answers to your most frequent questions. If your question is not answered here, please feel free to get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you.
What is Plain Ink?
Plain Ink is a social enterprise harnessing the power of books, media and storytelling to support communities around the world to gain the practical skills, tools and insights needed to build a sustainable future.
We do this by producing and distributing culturally appropriate and stimulating literacy and learning materials, while also meaningfully engaging individuals, communities, local organisations and governments to actively contribute to shaping a better future. We use the money that we raise through our publishing activities in Italy to spark new educational activities in India and Afghanistan.
In what ways are you different from other organisations doing similar work?
We have a unique model:
We create new, inspiring publications.
Unlike many of the pro-literacy organisations, Plain Ink does not donate discarded books. We believe that importing books from abroad into developing countries is only a temporary solution. More often than not it damages the local economy, publishing industry and distribution business. It can also have environmental consequences, through large quantity shipping and book re-distribution.
We create local employment.
Plain Ink brings a fresh approach. We believe that the skills, knowledge and resources are available locally, everywhere. That is why we support the use of local skills in the countries where we work, and find the best authors, illustrators, printers and distributors to collaborate with. By doing so we create employment and contribute to local economic and social development.
We believe that education and literacy should be universally available.
Which is why our books and other learning materials are widely distributed to as many children, schools, communities and institutions as possible. We don’t think that resources should only be available through partner NGOs or an organisation’s local offices and networks.
We are a social enterprise.
Plain Ink is the first and only educational and publishing organisation of this kind. By creating a revenue-generating model to effectively reach sustainability we can engage as many different stakeholders as possible in developed countries.
Is Plain Ink a non-profit or a for-profit organisation?
Plain Ink is registered as a non-profit organization. However, in order to attain financial sustainability it seeks part of its funds through the production and sale of children’s books in Italy. In accordance with Italian Law this publishing activity has to be undertaken separately from our other fundraising activities. We therefore have established a separate, non-profit entity called Plain Ink Books. Plain Ink Books devolves all the proceedings from its sales to Plain Ink.
Where are you based?
Plain Ink is officially registered in Italy as non-profit organization (C.F 94050680159). You can contact us here.
Are you a publishing house?
Not in the traditional sense. In essence, Plain Ink is an NGO promoting literacy and education. However, we also create and distribute children’s books and other educational material to fulfil our mission. We encourage authors and illustrators to send us their work for possible collaboration (see below).
Do you accept manuscripts or illustration samples?
Yes, we do! Please click here to learn more about our submission guidelines.
How can I get Involved?
There are lots of ways for you to get involved with Plain Ink. You can, for example:
Donate – Help Plain Ink to write a better story. Learn more and donate by clicking here.
Vacancies, Internships and Volunteering – Read about our current offers and apply to join our team by clicking here.
Support a Project – Contribute in our marketplace to a specific project or a cause close to your heart by clicking here.
Become a Member – Become a Plain Ink member and show your support for literacy worldwide.
Subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter – be in the know!
Partnerships and Sponsorships – If you, your organization or company is interested in discussing a partnership or sponsorship plan, we’d love to hear from you.
Parents, Teachers, Educators, Students, Children, Readers – your comments, suggestions and ideas matter to us. Make sure to join our network to help us to create meaningful books, comics and projects.
Speaking Engagements – As much as we love writing stories, we also love telling them! We are available to tell our story, be it an informal gathering or after-dinner presentation, a workshop, or motivational event. Get in touch with us to find out more.
Do you send volunteers overseas?
No, not at the moment. Instead we focus on harnessing local skills and knowledge for our programs overseas. However, should the need arise, we will communicate opportunities through our newsletter and on our website.
However, we would be more than happy to have you join us as an online volunteer though. There is always lots of interesting things to do around here!