Community crowdfunding platform launched to make Exeter more sustainable

Exeter City Futures has launched a crowdfunding movement called #EveryonesExeter. The crowdfunding movement can be used by anyone with project ideas that address city challenges around congestion and energy.

#EveryonesExeter enables individuals and communities to share their ideas, build support and pledge and pitch for funding. Exeter City Futures is are looking for projects that help make Exeter a more sustainable city, and a better place to live for future generations.

The #EveryonesExeter crowdfunding movement is available on Spacehive, a funding platform that enables individuals and communities to share their project and market it to their local crowd, to help raise funds for its delivery. The platform provides a method for crowdfunding for anyone who wants to make change in their locality. Project ideas may come from innovation workshops as part of Exeter City Futures Partner Network as well as community engagement events.

Some examples of ideas that may be supported through #EveryonesExeter are:

A car-free Sunday down your local street
Community bicycle storage on your road to help incentivise families to cycle more
Make your community centre more energy efficient

Exeter City Futures will provide support, mentoring and expertise for citizens and community groups who want to build crowdfunded projects that tackle congestion and energy use in their local area.

Projects can also apply for additional funding from Exeter City Futures, and if successful they could receive an extra boost of up to £1,000 to aid in the development and deployment.

To further help communities and individuals consider creating and developing a project to crowdfund through #EveryonesExeter, Exeter City Futures are making available regular sessions in the City Futures Space.

With dedicated support from a member of the Exeter City Futures team to act as a point of contact, these sessions can help individuals develop their project ideas, talk through how the crowdfunding platform works and support the launch and marketing of a project to the crowd. Look out for announcements on the Exeter City Futures website and social media platforms for the free sessions in early 2018.

Kerry Deacon, Community & Education Engagement Manager at Exeter City Futures, said: “We’re thrilled to launch #EveryonesExeter for the city, it enables us to support the community in coming forward with solutions to city challenges and provide support for Exeter individuals and community groups.

“The platform is now live and ready for projects to added. If you’re a resident, student, educator, or community group with projects that could improve congestion and energy use within your community, we want to hear from you.”

For more details on the Spacehive crowdfunding movement: #EveryonesExeter, and how to upload your project please visit the Spacehive movement page: https://www.spacehive.com/movement/exeter-city-futures