To be eligible for a grant, the group must:
• have been formed before 31st December 2006;
• have an average income of less than £20,000 over the last three years;
• be volunteer led.

The Foundation is particularly keen to receive applications for capital items for new equipment or renovating buildings. MDDA is available to assist any group who wish to apply for technology equipment.

For more details visit www.communityfoundation.co.uk

• What do the government’s plans for digital inclusion mean for your organisation? Wayne David MP, the Deputy Minister for Digital Inclusion, will explain the new Digital Equality Action Plan.

• What are the implications of the government’s Caio review into Next Generation Broadband? Francesco Caio will present his findings and tell us what he really thinks is going on.

• Which developers are getting on with the job of rolling out fibre to the home, and why do they see a good business case? Find out about major plans from developers around the UK.

• What are Openreach planning and where will their investment be directed? Find out what they are offering and what they expect us to contribute.

• What is going on with the South Yorkshire Digital Region? Digital Region director, Graeme Dent, will explain where they are up to.

• How else can public sector intervention make a difference? Learn about Manchester’s plans for rolling out fibre to the home and creating a ‘Living Lab’ of new applications and services

• What should local councils be doing to get their neighbourhoods ready for next generation broadband?

• What is happening in Bournemouth? Hear from H2O Networks about their plans to connect 85,000 homes and businesses with fibre through the sewers

• Is there a viable business case for rural next generation access? No, according to major players. Yes, according to Daniel Heery of deeply rural Alston Cybermoor.

• If NGA is going to be a ‘patchwork quilt’ of local initiatives, how will they be knitted together technically and operationally to look like a sensible proposition to major service providers?

• Is there a case for supporting next generation roll-out through better public service delivery? Learn about plans for e-health using next gen applications.

• Do the kids get it? Education, social networking and games could all be big drivers for next generation broadband

For more details on the agenda and registration visit the Gen 08 website.

Open for all to attend, the Manchester event will be held at the Palace Hotel on the 23 September 2008, from 1pm to 2.30pm. (A map and details are in that link.)

The panel will be made up of Ben Davies (Chair), Online Editor, New Statesman; Becky Hogge, Executive Director, Open Rights Group; Helen Milner, Managing Director, UK online centres; Paul Murphy MP; Tom Watson MP (tbc).

MDDA is a partner in a  European Union funded project looking at how technology can improve domestic energy efficiency.  The project partnership includes a mix of European local authorities, private business and universities.  The intention is to develop and test a “Digital Energy Home Energy Management System” (DEHEMS) for the home market.

As part of the intial development process, we want to find out what people think about energy efficiency.  To share your views complete a short survey of 20 questions, (just 10 minutes to complete).

Starting in East Manchester and services provided by Eastserve, the contract offers the potential to provide services to residents across each of the regeneration areas within Manchester.

The closing date is 8 August 2008. The Invitation to Tender and related documents are available on Manchester City Council’s website.

Activities can cover any topic or subject and the application process is realtively simple. GMVSC staff will even provide support to make an application. Grants are available up to 2010. For more information take a look at www.gmcvo.org.uk/?q=node/794