Northern Ireland’s Social Innovation Camp

by Startacus Admin

Derry, the UK City of Culture 2013, is to host a 48 hour coming together of ideas designed to solve social problems from June 14th- June 16th. The two day event is run by Social Innovation Camp who deliver similar events throughout the UK.

This is how it works: There is an 8 week open call from 25th March during which the organisers have asked people interested in the project to send in ideas for either a solution to a social problem, or even just an issue which needs addressing. The solutions however, have to be web based so being able to code will be a big advantage if you’d like to take part. 

It isn’t, however, essential, as some of the best – according to the website – software developers from the UK and Europe will be brought along to help with the creation of a solution. The ideas sent in will be judged by a panel who will decide which ones hold the greatest potential to create social change and actually benefit from the weekend. These 6 ideas are then worked on by all the attendees of the event over the two days. Some of the previous ideas winners are on the Social Innovation website.

The overall goal of the Innovation Camp is to bring people together; coders, entrepreneurs and volunteers to create relationships that can benefit all parties in taking the various project ventures forward after the weekend is over. Over those two days, everyone will be divided into teams and the camp will end with a Show and Tell competition for everyone to show where they would like to go with the plans afterwards.

Each camp usually has a specific theme, such as Scotland’s 2011 one of social isolation, from which most of the ideas were targeted to solving. Workshops and events are being run in the lead up to the deadline for ideas throughout Northern Ireland (in Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Omagh and Newry) where you can get involved, meet the organisers and find out any other information you might want to know.

Want to find more UK and Irish startup and enterprise events, festivals and conferences? Check out our pretty handy and comprehensive startup and enterprise events list!! 

Ethan Loughrey

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• #ideas
• #innovation
• #social good
• #projects

Published on: 20th March 2013