Spark 2009 - New Programme

Applications for Spark 2009 have now closed. Applications will open for another round of Spark in the Spring of 2010.

Spark Programme

Spark is looking to develop promising organisations that will work to prevent and tackle homelessness through social enterprise. The £1.6 million funding available can be applied for by charities, small and medium businesses, established and new social enterprises, housing associations, and local authorities

What happens next?

The winners of Spark 2009 have been announced. They will receive support from Eastside Consulting, who will give expert advice on how to prepare a business plan and present their business case. This is in preparation for the pitching event in June.

In June, each winning enterprise will pitch to Spark’s high profile panel of social enterprise, homeless sector and business leaders in order to have an opportunity to win further investment money. Winning organisations will also be matched with one of our corporate partners to enhance their skills and resources to help their business grow as a sustainable enterprise.

All of the winners will be encouraged to develop their business, their learning, their network of social enterprise contacts and to become champions of social enterprise within homelessness.

Spark Programme – for Individuals 2009. Application information available from Monday March 30th.

For the first time in 2009, Spark will invite applications from individuals who are at risk of homelessness or those who have been homeless.

Application form and programme details will be available here fromMonday 30th March. .

Subscribe to the Spark Newsletter to be kept up to date on the programme.

Read about what our Spark 08 winners say about Spark and read about case studies from Spark 08 winners

Spark Conflicts of Interest Statement

As social enterprise consultants, Eastside work across the sector directly with many homeless charities, social enterprises and housing associations on a range of projects aimed at developing social inclusion, financial sustainability and growth. Along the way we have developed   relationships with organisations that could be applying for and then participating in the programme.

 In Spark, Eastside’s role is to market and project manage the programme which includes delivering business support both before and after the Investment event in June to all 15 Spark winners.

 Eastside has responsibility for shortlisting the best 25 applications but the decision on applications for the final 15 and who will receive investment is the sole responsibility of an external panel consisting of social enterprise leaders, corporate partners and a member of Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG). This enables Eastside to focus on supporting the programme winners and  helps us to avoid conflicts of interest.

Eastside strive to create a level playing field for all who apply and participate in the programme. To ensure this there are two specific policies that we also follow:

1. Application Stage. Scorers with a personal connection with any applicant must register this conflict and will not score that particular application

2. Business Support Stage. No additional consultancy work will be delivered by Eastside for a Spark winner between the first event on the 23rd March to the time of the Investment event in June.

Eastside would like to thank and wish best of luck to all who have applied to the programme. We look forward to meeting the final 15 on the 23rd March.