Ways to Get Involved
Have a community-focused innovation idea? We provide comprehensive support to help you develop, test, and implement solutions that make a real difference.
- Funding support up to £25,000
- Expert mentorship and guidance
- Access to prototyping resources
- Community co-design workshops
- Implementation support
- Impact measurement assistance
What We're Looking For:
Ideas that address real community challenges, have potential for local impact, and demonstrate community engagement or support.
Artists, designers, makers, and creative professionals using their skills to address social challenges and bring communities together through innovative creative solutions.
- Creative workspace access
- Grants up to £15,000
- Community partnership opportunities
- Exhibition and showcase platforms
- Skills development workshops
- Collaborative project matching
What We're Looking For:
Creative professionals committed to using their talents for community benefit and social innovation.
Community groups, local organizations, and passionate individuals who want to be catalysts for positive change in their neighborhoods and across Essex.
- Leadership development programs
- Network building opportunities
- Resource sharing and support
- Advocacy and policy engagement
- Event hosting and facilitation
- Cross-community collaboration
What We're Looking For:
Individuals or groups with strong community connections and passion for driving positive local change.
Professionals, academics, and experts who want to share their knowledge and skills to support community innovation projects and help ideas become reality.
- Flexible mentoring commitments
- Project-specific consultancy
- Workshop and training delivery
- Strategic advisory roles
- Network expansion opportunities
- Professional development credits
What We're Looking For:
Professionals with relevant expertise willing to share knowledge and support community-focused innovation projects.
People who want to contribute their time and energy to support innovation projects, events, and community activities across Essex.
- Event support and facilitation
- Project assistance and coordination
- Community outreach activities
- Administrative and logistical support
- Skills-based volunteering opportunities
- Training and development provided
What We're Looking For:
Enthusiastic individuals who want to contribute to community innovation, regardless of experience level.
Businesses, nonprofits, councils, and institutions that want to collaborate on community innovation initiatives and amplify their social impact.
- Strategic partnership development
- Joint project opportunities
- Resource and expertise sharing
- Co-funding initiatives
- Policy advocacy collaboration
- Impact measurement partnerships
What We're Looking For:
Organizations committed to community benefit and interested in collaborative approaches to social innovation.
How to Get Started
Our streamlined process makes it easy to join the Essex Innovation community and start making a difference.
Support & Resources
Funding Support
We provide various levels of funding support for community innovation projects, from seed funding to full implementation grants.
- Seed grants: £500 - £2,000
- Development grants: £2,000 - £10,000
- Implementation grants: £10,000 - £25,000
- Creative grants: £1,000 - £15,000
Learning & Development
Comprehensive training and development opportunities to build skills and knowledge for effective community innovation.
- Innovation methodology workshops
- Community engagement training
- Project management skills
- Leadership development programs
Tools & Resources
Access to practical tools, resources, and facilities needed to develop and implement innovative community solutions.
- Innovation labs and maker spaces
- Digital tools and platforms
- Research and data resources
- Prototyping equipment access
Upcoming Events
Community Innovation Workshop
Monthly Workshop Series
Learn the fundamentals of community-centered innovation and meet like-minded changemakers from across Essex.
Creative Catalyst Meetup
Networking Event
Connect with artists, designers, and makers who are using creativity for social impact across Essex communities.
Sustainability Innovation Forum
Annual Conference
Explore cutting-edge environmental innovations and connect with sustainability leaders from across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous experience to get involved?
Not at all! We welcome people from all backgrounds and experience levels. We provide training, mentorship, and support to help you develop the skills you need to make a positive impact.
How much time commitment is required?
This varies depending on how you choose to get involved. We offer flexible opportunities from one-off event volunteering to longer-term project leadership. You can contribute as much or as little time as you're able.
Is funding available for all project types?
We support a wide range of community-focused innovations. Projects must demonstrate community benefit, have potential for local impact, and align with our values of inclusive, sustainable innovation.
Can organizations outside Essex participate?
While our primary focus is on Essex communities, we welcome partnerships and collaborations with organizations from other regions, especially when they can bring valuable expertise or resources to Essex-based projects.
What support is available for new innovators?
We provide comprehensive support including mentorship, training workshops, access to resources, networking opportunities, and funding. Our team works closely with new innovators to help them develop their ideas and skills.
How do you measure success and impact?
We use a combination of quantitative metrics (people reached, funding leveraged, projects completed) and qualitative measures (community feedback, story collection, long-term outcomes) to assess our collective impact.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Join hundreds of innovators, creators, and changemakers who are transforming Essex through community-centered innovation. Your ideas, skills, and passion can make a real difference.