Have you got a bright idea on how you’d like to improve your neighbourhood using technology? How would you like to improve community spaces? From beaches, markets, bus stops and skate parks to urban games, accessibility, learning zones, outdoor spaces, busking or street art – if you’ve got an idea, the Embrace Your Space challenge could help it become reality.
Through the project local people are invited to come together to share ideas and create solutions to local issues using technology. You can create a community of interest, comment on and share ideas and solutions. It’s a great way to find solutions together.
The project is broken down into four steps:
Steps 1 and 2 – Give your ideas and get talking
9 September – 19 October
During this phase you are invited to give ideas or a neighbourhood challenge you’d like to be solved and talk to local people about their ideas.
- Put your suggestions, ideas or challenges on the website
- Get together in your local community groups to come up with ideas
- Comment on ideas on the websites – get a discussion going online
- Vote for your favourite ideas
- Take part in workshops bringing people together to start to discuss ideas and solutions
- Pitch your ideas at the Digibury Weekender
- Communities and developers start to talk together about turning ideas to reality
- Sign up to the Innovation Day on 29 November where the ideas and solutions will be presented and the final winner chosen
At the end of this phase ten winners will be chosen from the ideas submitted so far. Prizes will be given.
Step 3 – Develop the ideas and the technology solutions together
20 October – 15 November
During this phase:
- Developers start developing prototypes of the technology solutions to the ideas and challenges
- Hopefully people will already be talking and sharing ideas and can work together to develop the solutions
- Test initial solutions within groups
- Prepare competition presentation
Step 4 – Innovation Day at the University of Kent
Saturday 29 November, 10.00 – 15.00
The Innovation Day brings together everyone involved in the project to finalise the development of the shortlisted prototypes and to demonstrate the solutions.
The individuals who have put forward ideas and those involved with the development of them are all invited to come along to Woolf College at the University of Kent.
During the day delegates will be able to meet with colleagues they have been sharing ideas with and developers can do more work on the projects. Entrants will present their ideas to the audience and a judging panel who will then announce the winning entry and the prize will be awarded.
The day is being hosted by the University of Kent as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations.
What can you win?
The winning entry will have a cash prize to put towards further development of the project to bring it to reality. There will also be a support package available to help take the project to the next level whether it’s small business support or technology development time and advice.
Is the competition for me?
You may have used public spaces and have ideas on how they can be improved. You many never have used them because of a particular issue and have ideas on how they could be improved. You may have ideas on how a website, app or other technology devices you use could help people make the best use of public spaces. You might not use technology because it’s difficult to use and have an idea on how it could be more user friendly and accessible.