The Social Innovation Challenge (SIC) is a grant-funding and support programme that seeks innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges of our times. The winner will receive a £50,000 grant and tailored support for the duration of their award to help them kick-start their solution. The other finalists will receive £25,000 each, in addition to signposting or introductions to alternative sources of funding or capacity-building programmes.
Key Criteria
To fulfil our aim of supporting solutions to the deepest issues currently present in Scotland, we are aligning the programme with the First Minister's priorities. Firstport will accept eligible applications addressing any one of the following 4 themes:
- Eradicating child poverty: innovative ideas which help the families of children living in deep poverty increase their long-term wellbeing and economic resilience.
- Growing the economy: projects providing innovative routes to meaningful employment for individuals facing significant barriers (such as disability, stigma or discrimination).
- Tackling the climate emergency: projects proposing innovative ways of reducing reliance on fossil fuels or delivering regenerative environmental solutions (such as increasing biodiversity, improving soil health or addressing water pollution).
- Ensuring high quality and sustainable public services: ideas that alleviate pressure on essential services by offering support to those who need it most, through innovative means.
