Since Simpl, the social innovation marketplace, launched last month, the site has been buzzing with great ideas and offers of support. In case you missed it, Simpl is a place where innovators (from inside and outside government) can post up their idea and if you're from a council you can bid on the ideas, Ebay-style. However, rather than bidding with cash (because we all know there's very little of that around) you bid with resources.
Local authorities have lots of stuff at their disposal that can be more valuable than money to someone with a great idea. An introduction to a relevant person in your organisation, technology equipment, a chat, brand endorsement, server space, office space, office equipment, printing, specification writing, tea and biscuits, user testing, business model advice, graphic design, mentoring… the list could probably go on forever. From coffee to cash no offer is too big or too small.
Simply offering a social entrepreneur a meeting or a conversation that helps move an idea forward has value. Better still, it's a low-risk option for local authorities as it gives a safe way to have a chat about an innovative project, without the need to squeeze budgets.
Camden's culture and environment directorate has been already held Social Innovation Speed Dating and they get top marks as the first council to bid on a Simpl idea, offering to meet the School of Everything to discuss their citizen run adult learning groups. Barnet is also hot on the case, offering a meeting with Locality about The Place Station.
James Sweetman, from Stickyboard, a social enterprise based in London, explains why he posted his idea on the site: "We've been looking for a way for getting in touch with established councils and those sorts of bodies. We're really looking to help out and, in the current climate, save money."
Alison Smith, director of GoGenie, sums it up nicely: "It's a way of bringing together different people who wouldn't usually connect. It's a creative tool and makes you think 'I have got this idea, this is where I can go to make it happen.'" Alison is currently working with Telford and Wrekin Council, with the support of Nesta, to bring her idea to fruition.
If councils are looking for one small, but bold, step they could take towards bringing the community into the council, then bartering your resources could be it.
Carrie Bishop is director at FutureGov
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