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Microsoft and LGC, with the support of SOCITM and the IDeA, is proud to launch Innovate08.

LGC  and Microsoft are calling all free-thinkers in local government to submit ideas for Innovate08, a new competition that not only showcases, but develops ground-breaking ideas in local government.

All finalists will receive £1,000 worth of Microsoft software and a mentor to help them develop their ideas for a final judging day on 8 September 2008.

The winner will receive a two-day development workshop with Microsoft experts to develop a detailed plan for transforming the idea into reality and will share their experiences with the readers of LGC.

Criteria and categories

Innovate08 aims to develop transformational ideas in local government. We are looking for creative solutions that harness technology to tackle social and economic problems. These could be around solving 'bigger picture' problems such as green energy, communicating with disaffected young people or crime reduction. There could also be ideas for communicating and engaging with communities on difficult issues such as planning or housing development. The idea should have potential for a practical, tangible application that could be utilised by other local authorities or public service partners.

We are putting no limits on the number of submissions per authority. However, only one from each council will progress to the next round, so we encourage councils to use the breadth of knowledge and experience throughout their local authority in developing a submission. Council teams can be made up of representatives from across the entire council, parish councils, local strategic partnerships, the voluntary community and local business.

Categories

• Environment

• Community engagement

• Social inclusion

• Place-shaping

Criteria

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Demonstrates originality, imagination and excellence

• The extent to which the idea can bring benefits to all of local government in the UK

• The extent to which the idea solves a key challenge faced by local authorities and the communities they represent

How to enter

Please ensure that your submission includes the below information before sending to David Brownsey-Joyce at David.Brownsey-Joyce@emap.com.

Closing date: 31 July 2008

Submissions should include

1. Details of the local authority and the person submitting the proposal

2. The relevant Innovate08 category

3. A 200 word synopsis on the local authority business need the submission addresses

4. Up to 1,500 words describing the scope of the submission and addressing the following questions:

5. How will the idea be practically developed?

6. Who will benefit?

7. How they will benefit?

8. What benefit the idea will bring to their local community?

The entries that are selected as finalists will be those that make the most compelling case that their innovative ideas can make a real, positive difference to their citizens and communities.