Deadline: 31 January 2020
To recognise and support this new wave of pioneering approaches, Nesta has launched an open call for innovations working to re-energise and reshape the future of civic participation and everyday democracy in the UK, through a £100,000 award.
This new wave of innovations seek to enact this ‘Everyday Democracy’, harnessing the opportunities that new technologies bring, but also explore deeper and more effective ways for people to connect and create together in person.
Benefits
To recognise and support these pioneering approaches, Democracy Pioneers will receive:
- £10,000 to support the development of their work
- opportunities to showcase their work and ideas across a variety of local and national media, as well as Nesta communications
- the opportunity to work with Nesta and the other Democracy Pioneers collaboratively to champion this pioneering work, and create a case for what is needed to make democracy fit in the decades to come.
Eligibility Criteria
In order for applicants application to be considered, applicants innovations must satisfy their eligibility criteria:
- All entries must be based in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and have an impact in the United Kingdom.
- Entries can be from constituted organisations (including sole traders). All sizes and sectors will be considered, including; community groups, charities, start-ups, universities, SMEs, public, private and civil society organisations. Note private enterprises will need to demonstrate public benefit.
- Innovations must have been operating for at least six months and demonstrate evidence of ongoing work.
- Organisations and projects must be politically non partisan and must not be affiliated with party political campaigns.
- All entries should have a strong emphasis on the societal impact of their work and not be primarily motivated by profit.
- Organisations and projects must be able to commit a lead representative to work with Nesta in both a workshop and public facing capacity for a minimum of three days between March – October 2020.
Assessment Criteria
Nesta is looking for everyday civic participation and democracy innovations that demonstrate:
- An impactful approach, not yet adopted as mainstream but with an established track record
- A clear articulated vision for how their future civic participation and everyday democracy can be re-energised and reshaped to be:
- Better informed
- More inclusive and participatory
- More open, accessible and transparent
- Smarter and more creative or;
- More trusted and accountable
- High potential and clear aspirations to have a bigger impact in the coming years
- Clear commitment to be part of a wider community seeking to establish a movement for bigger civic participation and democratic shifts
For more information, visit https://www.nesta.org.uk/project/democracy-pioneers/