$$$$$$$$$$$ The Knight Foundation in the USA is offering a big pile of cash in grants for neighbourhood innovation online in their newschallenge competition. Thanks to the generous Kevin Harris for the link. It appears that this grant scheme is focused on the technology, rather than the content. I am not sure that the web really needs more web2 hyperlocal news platforms – blogger, typepad and wordpress will do just fine. The web desperately needs more local content. The only way to get that it to train some folk. But if you fancy a punt read below and find more here.
‘We’re giving away around $5 million in 2009 for the development and distribution of neighborhood and community-focused projects, services, and programs.
If you have a great idea that will improve local online news, deepen community engagement, bring Web 2.0 tools to local neighborhoods, develop publishing platforms and standards to support local conversations or innovate how we visualize, experience or interact with information, we’d like to see it! You have the opportunity to win funding for your project and support within a vibrant community of media, tech, and community-oriented people who want to improve the world.
There are three rules to follow to apply to the 2008-09 Knight News Challenge:
Use or create digital, open-source technology as the code base.
Serve the public interest.
Benefit one or more specific geographic communities.
Get support for your application before you submit: The brand-new News Challenge Garage is a coaching and mentoring site for prospective applicants to talk with mentors and peers, check out previous winners’ applications and improve your application before you submit.
Applications for the 2008-09 cycle will be taken starting September 2, 2008 and close on November 1, 2008.’
William Perrin
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