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UK charities and community groups invited to apply for technology grants
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Charities and community groups across the UK are being invited to apply for £60,000 worth of technology grants as part of the Community Awards 2008.
The Innovation in the Community Awards are run in conjunction with Citizens Online, a charity that aims to promote digital inclusion. They are open to UK-based not-for-profit organisations or
community groups looking to extend their work through the use of technology.
Thirty winners will receive cash grants of £2,000 each to fund technology-related projects, as well as technology equipment to help them make the most of the internet.
Five overall winners will also win a one-to-one workshop with celebrity dotcom entrepreneur and co-founder of lastminute.com Martha Lane Fox.
Winning charities and community groups from last year's awards used the grants to implement projects such as chat rooms and web-based support networks.
Pamela Thornes, fundraising manager for one of last year's award winners, teenage cancer charity The Laura Crane Trust, said, "The funding we received through the Innovation in the Community Awards
has given the Laura Crane Trust the confidence to go ahead with its plans to create a social networking site purely for young people aged 13-24 affected by cancer.
"The site will be launched later this year and will let young people chat with others in similar situation to them and be a huge network of emotional support."
John Fisher, chief executive, Citizens Online said: "Many people can find the internet daunting, but by developing exciting and innovative ways for people to use digital technologies, community
organisations can encourage new users.
"These awards provide an excellent opportunity to deliver projects that can inspire individuals to start their own digital journeys."
Martha Lane Fox said: "I know first-hand how powerful the internet can be for any company and am delighted to be supporting this year's awards.
"I'm really looking forward to helping the winning charities and community groups extend the great work they do through the use of new technology.
The awards are being sponsored by TalkTalk. To apply visit www.talktalk.co.uk/innovation.
