MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
News Release (102/08) issued by The Government News Network on 30
July 2008
Fresh ideas for
encouraging people to become involved in democracy will be
rewarded with grants under a £150,000 government scheme aimed at
charities, community groups and non-government organisations.
The Innovation Fund, launched by the Ministry of Justice today,
will support projects developing new ways to help people
participate in public discussions and influence government policy.
Democracy Minister Michael Wills said:
"Active participation is essential for a healthy and
vigorous democracy. Through the Innovation Fund we are looking for
new and interesting ways to get people engaged in the political
life of their community."
This is the third time grants of up to £15,000 will be available
for up to 10 of the best proposals for using online tools,
face-to-face events or a combination of approaches.
Previous winners have included Speakers' Corner Trust, which
established a speakers' corner and held a day of debate in
Nottingham, and the South Kesteven District Council, which
developed a process for online citizens' juries.
Another successful project was FixMyStreet website. Developed in
2006-2007, it allows people to tell their local authority and
others in their area about broken civic infrastructure such as
street lights. People can post photos of the problem on the
website and tag a map to provide its precise location. The website
automatically forwards the report to the appropriate authority.
In Norfolk, a Gallomanor Communications and Norfolk Council
project encouraged civic leaders to blog. A Solent People's
Theatre Project held creative workshops in Thanet District
Council, Kent and South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire.
To present its idea or comment on those of others, organisations
should go to the Innovations Fund website at http://www.buildingdemocracy.co.uk.
Applications close on 26 September 2008. Decisions will be
announced in October.
Notes to Editors
1. For further information, including the criteria on which
applications will be judged go to: http://www.buildingdemocracy.co.uk.
2. The Innovation Fund is linked to the Show Us A Better Way
competition run by the Power of Information Taskforce (http://www.showusabetterway.co.uk),
which is looking for good uses of public information. The
Innovation Fund has a wider remit - looking for all types of ideas
for improving public engagement.
3. In 2006 the Department for Constitutional Affairs (now the
Ministry of Justice) launched the first phase of the Innovations
Fund Project. The scheme aimed to provide early funding for
building, testing and evaluating new tools to improve democratic
engagement between government and the public.
4. Eight proposals were funded in 2006/07 and eight in 2007/08.
5. For public inquires, contact Jessica Ellis on 020 7210 0147; Jessica.Ellis@justice.gsi.gov.uk.
http://www.justice.gov.uk
ENDS