What was the inspiration behind LocalEyes?

I (Peter Anderson) used to be the MD of Buzinet Solutions, a fairly large IT firm based in SW Wales. It was while running this company that many social groups approached us wanting to use technology and the web more effectively.

At this point I created a project that was to deliver the latest technologies to social groups, where these internet tools would be delivered to the groups by unemployed people on IT training programmes. So not only did the groups receive the technology, but also additional capacity and man power to good make use of them.

This project was funded by the WCVA (10k) and was successful in its aims but I realised that before the model could be rolled out on a nationwide basis we needed to create a comprehensive groups directory (the social equivalent of yell.co.uk) for the UK first.

This led me to the realisation that there is a huge amount of information about our own communities that is almost impossible to access easily. This is where the concept of a “Comprehensive Community Resource” for all 9763 communities and the UK’s “No.1 local social network” was born.

The next realisation was that we could not comprehensively capacity build with social groups until there was first a UK wide directory, (similar to yell.co.uk but for our social needs), so this became our primary objective.

Following on from this came the ideas for a local marketplace, local car sharing, local social networking, community carbon footprinting tools etc.

The most recent development has been "The VOICE" in response to the lack of communication & dialogue between governing councils and the citizens they represent.

What problems is LocalEyes addressing?

Presently there is little communication between the key decision makers in a community and the majority of the residents, and consequently many people feel unempowered. It is our aim to radically improve this, thus engaging & empowering individuals while improving social interaction and local democracy.“Public opinion is undoubtedly the largest superpower on the planet but is still largely uncoordinated.”

Many people do not know enough about the people, groups and businesses in their own communities and are still relatively socially isolated as a result. Also, the process of reducing the cost of living, our carbon footprints and dependency on oil, leading us towards a sustainable and resilient future, largely revolves around connecting to everything that is local.

Many social groups are not making the best use of the web technologies available and consequently struggle to promote their activities, engage existing members and attract new members.

There is a lack of funds that are easily accessible for local community initiatives.
It is very difficult to gauge our progress in relation to climate change without being able to calculate community carbon footprints.

LocalEyes - a network of networks

The following screenshot gives a good visual overview of the project...
http://www.localeyes.org/beta07/voice/communities_profile_homepage.asp

Imagine ..

… the voting technology seen on X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing grounded into the community enabling the residents or members of social groups to vote on local topics, involving them in the decision making processes and facilitating consultation with governing bodies.

… the voting technology seen on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, working in our local village/town halls, where people gather on a regular basis (i.e. quarterly) to discuss, debate and then vote on local issues in a collective space

… the social networking abilities of Facebook or MySpace grounded into the community to enable local people to make local connections with like- minded people, then go out the door and meet those people face to face.

… Yellow Pages for social groups instead of just businesses, connecting & engaging people with the activities & events happening in the local area.

… having the tools to help reduce your community’s carbon footprint – be it car share, how to go plastic bag free or sourcing local produce.

… a local version of eBay combined with FreeCycle & SwapShop, that creates a local marketplace for people to buy or sell local products, fresh produce, arts & crafts, FreeCycle or swap items.

… a summary of all this information coming to your inbox on a weekly/fortnightly basis, showing exactly how diverse, active & engaging our communities really are.

... now you should have a fairly good idea about what we're trying to achieve.

Main objectives ..

The project is called LocalEyes and has 2 humble objectives:
1. To give a VOICE to every man, woman & child (on local issues)
2. To become the world's no.1 LOCAL social network (grounded in action)

LocalEyes Funders

Funding has been secured from the following sources:
SCC (Somerset County Council)
Broad Haven Primary School
NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts)
UnLtd (Supporting Social Entrepreneurs, levels 1 & 2 grants awarded)
TFN (The Funding Network)
TalkTalk (Innovation in the Community)
WCVA, (Welsh Council for Voluntary Action)
Private Sponsors

LocalEyes Partnerships

Research, planning & advice partners:
Involve: specialists in civic engagement and public participation projects will be providing the monitoring and evaluation aspects. They can also identify partner organisation to assist in delivery
http://www.involve.org.uk

NESTA: “making innovation flourish” will be providing consultancy, advice and assistance regarding partnerships.
http://www.nesta.org.uk

Council on Social Action: They are helping to generate ideas and initiatives through which Government and other key stakeholders can inspire, catalyse and celebrate social action.
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/social_action.aspx

UnLtd: Providing extensive support and networks to promote the service.
http://www.unltd.org.uk

UK SDC: Peter Davies, vice chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission has headed the advisory board for the project from its inception 5 years ago and provides ongoing support, advice and links into complimentary projects.
http://www.sd-commission.org.uk/

Schumacher Institute (for sustainable systems): are providing support and advise on an ongoing basis. They also host all our meetings in the Bristol area.
http://www.schumacherinstitute.org.uk

eQuality Networks: providing advice in involving groups that otherwise would be overlooked, so in a project looking to empower and to improve democracy, their understanding will be key.
http://www.equalitynetworks.org.uk

If you would like to partner with LocalEyes .. please email interested@localeyes.org