Create your own project

Changing Places can help you do this with:

• Advice
• Potential support and funding through the ‘Transform’ project

• Publicity via the Inspire programme

1. Advice on starting a project.

If you would like to organise your own event or project but don’t know where to start, then why not have a look at our Changing Places ‘Toolkit’.

The toolkit was developed following our own experiences of organising Changing Places events. It provides some basic advice about the things you may want to consider when developing your own project. These include health and safety, use of appropriate equipment, supervision of activities and more.

2. Need a financial kick-start and some expert advice? Try project ‘Transform’

If you already have a project that could improve your local area in mind but have been unable to get it off the ground, then a small grant and some expert advice from Changing Places might help. 

Changing Places has teamed up with Groundwork London and the London Sustainability Exchange to transform up to twenty rundown, derelict or underused sites across east London into thriving community resources.   The objectives of the project are to encourage people to lead more sustainable lifestyles and get involved in environmental volunteering.

Made possible through a grant from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Inspiring Sustainable Living fund, we want to help community groups with expert advice and materials to turn the sites into a resource for the community. This could be the creation of a community garden, an allotment, an orchard, or even help to fund a new or improved play area. 

The application process is now open, but to be in with a chance of becoming part of Transform, your project must:     

• Make a real physical transformation
• Have the potential to increase the skills of the community  group so that it can be more effective
• Support a group from the community to improve environmental behaviour choices and practices
• Be located within the five host boroughs of Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest
• Have the potential to increase the involvement of Black, Asian, minority ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) participants?

Applications from commercial organisations or individuals wishing to transform private land/gardens will not be accepted.   Joint applications can be submitted by the host borough authorities in partnership with community groups.

Please use the links below to download guidance information and an application form: 

'Transform' guidance notes (PDF, 86kb)

'Transform' application form (Word, 490kb) 

3. Join the London 2012 Inspire programme

For the very first time at an Olympic or Paralympic Games, we are offering communities a unique to join in, through the Inspire programme.

The Inspire programme allows not-for-profit organisations to run projects, events, or activities, which - subject to certain conditions - will be part of London 2012. No matter whether projects are large or small, the very best of these will be awarded the coveted ‘Inspire mark’, which can be used on brochures, posters and websites to promote the project or event.

Projects that improve the environment of local neighbourhoods and gain the Inspire mark within the sustainability category will become part of London 2012 Changing Places Programme. Successful applicants will be those presenting outstanding, non-commercial projects that are truly inspired by the London 2012 Games. Find out more about applying to be part of the Inspire programme. 

See also