Friday, May 18, 2007

Free Land Grants for UK Community Development in SL

By Chris Eggplant (Chris Swain) ...

Education UK island is a not for profit educational island being constructed in Second Life to provide a 'safe' location for U.K. virtual education and community development.

Following on from our free education land grants programme [applications close 1st June], we are now launching our free community development space programme, which offers the opportunity to apply for one of three plots of land in Second Life to support or enhance community development, social inclusion, regeneration or the democratic process for one academic year.

Applications are invited from UK organisations or groups [England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland] whose work in community participation, development, engagement etc can be extended or enhanced by using the simulation and creativity tools available within Second Life.

These could also include local or regional community organisations, such as resident associations, environmental groups, or maybe groups building communities of practice or support around areas such as safer communities, tackling racism, promoting community integration, sexual health, mental health etc. We are keen to see some innovative ideas.

Partnership applications and/or local authority led projects are fine as they may fit in with the local authority e-Government agenda.

In addition to the free land grant, the programme will also offer successful organisations:

  • A one off startup grant of $10,000 Linden Dollars.
  • A dedicated and password protected audio channel.
  • Access to other island facilities.
  • Access to a community of support for the duration of their project.
  • A hosted project weblog.

You can download further information and an application form from: http://www.sleducationuk.net/?q=node/14

Applicants are asked to submit a completed application form, along with a delivery schedule / plan by Monday 2nd July 2007.

Successful applications will be announced by mid July 2007 and plots of land will be transferred as soon as practicable after that, so organisations or groups can plan for the inclusion of Second Life delivery within their work from that time onwards. The land will be granted free of all charges until 31st July 2008.

Documentation should be submitted in electronic format to: chris at sleducationuk . net

We would be grateful if you could forward this message onto other colleagues who you think may be interested in applying.

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