Go! London Changemaker Challenges – FAQ
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- What kinds of initiatives are the Open Innovation challenges looking for?
Both challenges seek bold, community-rooted, and innovative solutions that use sport and physical activity to address key issues for children and young people in London.
Sport for Climate Action Challenge: Looking for initiatives that either (1) use sport and physical activity to build climate awareness and inspire action among young people, or (2) enable climate-resilient participation by adapting practices, environments, or behaviours to the realities of climate change.
Reimagining Spaces for Sport & Play Challenge: Looking for initiatives that unlock or reimagine spaces for young people to participate in sport and physical activity, especially by removing barriers, fostering collaboration, and making spaces more inclusive, welcoming, and relevant.
Initiatives can be at any stage - from early ideas and pilots to fully implemented projects.
- Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible for this Challenge, applying initiatives must fulfil the below criteria:
Age: Applicants must be over 18 by the time of the application deadline
Geography: Initiatives must be designed and delivered within London (32 boroughs of London and the City of London).
Language: All applications should be submitted in English.
Registration: The lead applicant must be a UK registered legal entity, and have a London based address. The lead applicant or organisation should be a non-profit organisation (including schools, universities, and local authorities). For-profit organisations can be part of the partnership but not the lead applicant
Eligibility is outlined here: Sport for Climate Action - Project Eligibility | Changemakers and Reimagining Spaces for Sports & Play | Changemakers
Note: For the Reimagining Spaces for Sport & Play Challenge, you will notice we do require evidence of having access to the lease of the space that you want to use.
- Can organizations registered outside the UK apply?
Yes. However, the lead applicant organisation applying to this Challenge must be registered in the UK and have a London-based address. Organisations that are not registered in the UK may apply as part of a consortium, provided the lead applicant is a UK-registered entity.
- What are the key dates of this challenge?
Key support dates mentioned:
Info Session #1: 9th January at 2pm UK time
Info Session #2: 16th January at 2pm UK time
Office Hours #1: 28th January at 2pm UK time
Office Hours #2: 10th February at 2pm UK time
Note: Finalists must be available from end of March to end of May for the capacity building programme.
For application deadlines and other key dates, please refer to the challenge website or contact the organizers at [email protected]
- Are collaborations between multiple organizations allowed?
Yes. The challenges encourage collaborations across communities, landowners, local authorities, change leaders, and others. Collaborative applications are welcomed and seen as a way to ensure solutions are rooted in lived experience and supported by those who can help scale them. Provided that the lead applicant is a UK registered legal entity, and has a London based address.
- Can two organizations submit a joint application, especially if the ecosystem-building process is jointly done?
Yes, joint applications are allowed and encouraged, especially where the process is co-developed and implemented by multiple organizations or stakeholders. Provided that the lead applicant is a UK registered legal entity, and has a London based address as outlined in the eligibility criteria.
- What support is available during the application process? Will you provide guidance on what a strong application looks like?
Yes, several forms of support are available:
Info sessions and office hours for direct support and guidance.
An evaluation rubric to clarify how applications will be scored.
FAQ page and the opportunity to email the team with questions.
- What are the evaluation criteria?
Applications are evaluated equally on four criteria:
Innovation: Is your solution new, resourceful, or changing the status quo?
Community Involvement/Collaboration: Are young people and communities actively involved in design and implementation?
Potential for/Evidence of Impact: Is there a clear case for impact on young people, especially those underserved or climate-vulnerable?
Viability and Scalability: Is there a clear plan for long-term success and potential to scale or inspire similar action elsewhere?
Please see the Rubric for more information.
- What grants and other benefits can participants receive from this challenge?
All eligible applicants receive feedback, community connections, and access to training.
Up to 10 finalists per challenge:
Participate in a capacity-building programme.
Have the opportunity to receive a grant of up to £10,000 - this may be disbursed to support the development of your idea, and to enable your time and involvement in the programme.
Refine their application with support.
Present to a panel of expert judges.
3 to 6 winners per challenge:
Have the opportunity to receive a grant of at least £50,000 and up to £100,000 (potentially more in exceptional cases).
- What funding can I apply for?
Both capital and revenue funding are eligible under the Go! London Innovation Challenges.
Projects funded through the Go! London Innovation Challenges should demonstrate how the overall approach is innovative. The budget should reflect this by allocating resources to elements that enable or support innovative or new to the sector approaches, rather than simply maintaining existing practices.
Capital Projects
Capital funding can cover costs that enable innovation and help organisations encourage children and young people to participate in physical activity. Examples include:
Building adaptations or refurbishments that use new-to-sector approaches to improve existing amenities or deliver new facilities.
Large equipment purchases where the equipment is innovative for the sector or essential to stimulate innovation.
Digital infrastructure, such as apps or databases.
Revenue Projects
Revenue funding supports the delivery, management, and development of innovative projects or activities that enable children and young people to take part in physical activity. Example eligible costs include:
Staffing and activity delivery, Staff training, Low-cost or short-lifespan equipment, Marketing, Associated Overheads
Key Considerations
For larger capital projects, applicants must provide evidence that significant funding has been secured or applied for (e.g., from other funders or their own organisation).
For smaller capital projects, applicants are encouraged to contribute from other sources (e.g., other funders or their own organisation).
Planning permission must be secured where applicable.
Quotes for capital projects should be current (no more than three months old, where possible).
The lead applicant must hold the lease or contract for the venue.
Applications with “agreements in principle” will be accepted; however, if selected for a grant, a formal lease or contract must be in place before the grant agreement is signed.
Applicants will have six weeks from the grant offer date to provide the required paperwork.
- What are the costs that can and cannot be covered by the grant?
Finalists: Selected finalists will be required to attend a capacity-building program between end of March until end of May. For those who identify a need for additional support, funding of up to £10,000 may be made available to help facilitate their participation. The eligible expenditure for this grant is:
Direct project costs: These include expenses directly connected to project development, excluding salaries.
External expertise and services: Costs for services like consultancy, which are not related to litigation.
Winners: Between three (3) and six (6) final winners will receive a grant of at least £50,000 and up to £100,000. The grant amount will vary depending on the initiative’s maturity, impact potential, and needs. Grants will be disbursed within a 12-18 months' timeline.
Note:
The £10,000 can’t be used for salaries of partnership members, events or alcohol.
All expenditure must be directly linked with project development, and applicants will have to submit impact reports and receipts to draw down the grant.
Submit requested information within 2 months of the award final payment date, or upon request by Ashoka UK or any relevant local tax authority.
Retain all spending records for a minimum of 10 years and make them available upon request.
- What is the delivery timeline for the project?
Grants will be disbursed within a 12-18 months' timeline, with flexibility based on the idea presented & budget involved.
- Can an organization apply as a lead in one challenge and as a consortium partner in another?
Yes, organizations should only lead one project but may participate as partners in multiple applications. Lead applicants should specify the role of each partner in a consortium.
- How can I apply to this challenge?
Visit the challenge pages to learn more and submit your application:
Sports for Climate Action Challenge | Changemakers
Reimagining Spaces for Sports & Play | Changemakers
Follow the instructions on the challenge page to complete and submit your application.
If you need more details or have specific questions, you can attend the info sessions, book office hours, or email the organizers (email address to be provided on the challenge page).
- Is there a word limit for an application and does match funding enhance the chances of success?
Yes, there is a word limit on the questions, which are specified near each question. Match funding is encouraged but does not increase the chances of success. Success will be determined by the 4 evaluation criteria.
- Support & Contact
Email: [email protected]
- Resources
Guidelines PDF or link: Rubric to be delivered