2010 Spark Challenge launched

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The Spark Challenge is inviting social entrepreneurs with bright ideas that will provide training, skills development, employment and independent living opportunities to tackle homelessness to bid for a share of a £1.6 million investment fund.

 

Spark is a pioneering development and investment programme that aims to inspire organisations to build social enterprises that will prevent and tackle homelessness using sustainable business models.

 

It was started in December 2007 and founded on the conviction that an enterprise approach offers a long-term and sustainable way to address homelessness and that cross-sector partnerships are the best way to foster this model.

 

So far the Spark Challenge has invested over £4 million and over 100 private sector leaders have given their time, knowledge and expertise to help 26 social enterprises develop sustainable business solutions that provide people with the confidence and skills to obtain both work and permanent accommodation.

 

The Spark 2010 Challenge – building on the success of 2008 and 2009 – was launched on 5th July by founders John Montague, CEO of The TREES Group, and Nigel Kershaw, Chair of Big Issue Invest, with the continued support of the Places for People.

 

“Spark is much more than a competition or a grant application”, said John Montague, “It is a cross-sector collaboration that brings together leading organisations and social enterprises from the public, private and third sector to work together to build sustainable solutions to homelessness”.

 

“For the third year we are immensely pleased to announce the involvement of Spark partners Places for People, PricewaterhouseCoopers and BT, and welcome Willmott Dixon to the partnership.”

 

Nigel Kershaw said, “Bringing together these partners brings value to their businesses, employees and the communities in which they work.

“It also shows how social enterprise can transform the lives of homeless people by providing training and employment and a route out of street and hostel life.”

 

Entrants for Spark 2010 should submit their business case by 5pm on 13th August. To apply, and for more information, please click here.