The Innovation Fund worth £14 million opens for applications
Launched in April 2013, this fund is looking for innovative ventures and programmes that use social action to achieve impact in four areas:
- Ageing well: Helping people to age well, particularly by supporting people over 50 years to have a purpose, a sense of well-being and to be connected to others
- Long-term health: Enabling people with long-term health conditions to have a better quality of life, particularly through the use of peer to peer networks and groups
- Young people: Supporting and encouraging young people to succeed and find employment, for example through mentoring, coaching, and peer-to-peer networks
- Impact volunteering: Using new approaches to 'impact volunteering' to mobilise volunteers to increase and enhance the outcomes achieved by public services
This Fund is the first initiative from the Centre for Social Action, established by the Cabinet Office, to support programmes that encourage people to create positive change through social action.
Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation, is managing the Innovation Fund, which is open to applications from public services, charities, social enterprises and for profit businesses, providing financial support - from £50,000 to £500,000 - and non-financial support, including advice and help to make connections with purchasers and investors.
The Innovation Fund will be open for two years from April 2013 and will look for innovations in specific priorities. The first four priorities are expected to be open for applications for six months (until the end of October 2013); further priorities will be opened for applications in due course.
Website: Nesta the Centre for Social Actions Innovation Fund