The Social Innovation Competition 2017 is now open for applications!
Do you have an innovative product or service that tackles a social or environmental issue in Scotland?
The competition is looking for exciting, innovative business solutions that are tackling the most pressing social and environmental issues facing Scotland today, focusing on culture, heritage and tourism. It is delivered by Firstport on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Three winners, including one young social innovator under 30, will be announced at an awards ceremony in the Scottish Parliament in November and receive £5000 alongside tailored business support from Firstport, Scotland’s agency for start up social entrepreneurs.
Applications close at noon on 9 October.
Key dates
| Applications open | Monday 7 August 2017 |
| Applications close | Noon, Monday 9 October 2017 |
| Presentation of winners | Tuesday 7 November 2017 |
Pianos on Prescription
One of the 2016 Social Innovation Competition winners, Pianos on Prescription is an innovative scheme helping people experiencing difficulties including: isolation, loneliness, depression, long-term health conditions and poverty by offering free access to acoustic pianos, events and tuition in Glasgow.
Through a pilot project, launched by Tom Binns, who founded and runs Glasgow Piano City, a small number of patients with mental health or social problems are referred informally by GPs, community links practitioners and other organisations for tuition and participation in decoration activities on pianos located around the city.
Glasgow Piano City was set up to install pianos in public spaces during the Commonwealth Games in 2014 to encourage more people to play and create the opportunity for moments of spontaneous human contact. It now has around 20 hand-decorated pianos in hospitals, museums, cafes and galleries throughout Glasgow and over 40 more instruments, donated to the project, housed in community projects, care homes and schools with more venues housing pianos in 2017.
The Pianos on Prescription scheme aims not just to help people learn a musical skill but also receive one-to-one attention and be supported through a process of strengthening connection with others. Read more here.
Case Studies
See more about the 2016 winners and other examples of innovative business solutions that tackle social and/or environmental issues in Scotland here.
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