Innovative ICT projects get government funding

The My Society civic software project led by Tom Steinberg has just heard it's been awarded £250,000 by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, in response to a bid made in partnership with West Sussex County Council. The money comes from the e-innovations fund, a pot of government cash set aside to stimulate useful online projects.

The mainstream public sector will be the main beneficary of the initial £14m fund: 34 councils have been awarded money in a first round of bids. Public Finance magazine reports that funded projects include "a virtual tour of vacant council houses, text messaging to improve access to services for rural residents and measures to help elderly people use electronic services". Westminster Council has come away with the largest amount, £500,000.

A further round of funding will be available in the autumn.

Government press release: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2004_0060

List of awards (DOC file): http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pns//pnattach/20040060/1.doc