Building a sustainable world

A new model for funding individual passion for sustainability

Abstract

Our world faces pressing challenges in environmental, financial, and social domains. Traditional institutional methods continue to be employed, often with little effect, reminiscent of Einstein's observation that insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different outcomes. Margaret Mead's perspective offers a valuable counterpoint: she famously stated that real change is driven by small groups of committed citizens, not by governments or institutions. Mead emphasised that significant social change stems from individual passion, contingent on access to opportunities and resources. Our funding approach aims to ignite this passion by supporting such individuals and projects.

This manifesto begins with a case study contrasting the impact of a small, resource-limited group of four individuals with a failed quarter-billion-pound government project. We delve into the history and reasoning behind Ethos's strategy, advocating for a shift from traditional methods to a more dynamic approach. This includes reevaluating how social value is measured beyond mere monetary terms and considering basic income support for those financially constrained from contributing to innovation.

We introduce the key principles of The Commons Fund, designed to foster a non-competitive, democratic, and bureaucracy-free environment for grassroots change. The paper details the supportive ecosystem which is in development to back the Fund. Concluding, we present the credentials of the fund managers and EthosVO, the organisation making the initial investment into the fund.

Introduction

In 2010, four individuals, frustrated by the inequitable military sports funding system favouring major sports, set out to create a fairer system. Within a few years, they established a new system, generating over £12m in profits, which they donated to over 100 projects through a charitable fund. This year will see the next £1m donation. EthosVO, the organisation behind this initiative, has since developed dozens of other innovative systems. These projects benefited from a work and measurement system known as 'Value Exchange’.

In stark contrast, and a decade on, from April 2019 to March 2022, the UK’s Home Office allocated £254 million​ of funding for UK Violence Reduction Units and Grip (formerly Surge) activities.[1]. Yet, according to the last independent review [2] "There were no statistically significant impacts on the primary SV outcomes of hospital admissions for sharp object violent injury or homicides"

These are just two examples. There are countless others (see bottom of paper for EthosVO credentials). The key point here is that often individuals with few resources can affect change whereas organisations tend to focus on “business as usual”. Moreover, the bureaucratic conditions tied to funding can lead to unintended consequences, such as demotivation.

How to unlock the person to person passion and leverage the resultant social value?

This paper outlines some context and rationale for a new system based on EthosVO’s experience of innovating outside of current systems and practices.

It is a call to action for funders, businesses, charities and government agencies to collaborate to bring about change using bottom-up approaches free from bureaucratic constraints [get involved].

It argues that we need “minimal viable bureaucracy” to:

• join forces as we are “better together”,
• maximise the passion that exists within people and projects,
• resource projects “bottom-up”,
• promote agency for participants,
• support those who are driving the change they want to experience,
• Involve those who have “skin in the game” through lived experience.

In the beginning…

For thousands of years people have developed the financial means, technology and institutions to organise production and to govern the means of production in order to accumulate power and wealth. Sometimes this is through innovation and productivity. Sometimes this is through violence, appropriation, extraction or enclosure of some kind.

Through the ages, one can mostly characterise societies as being represented by a small number of elites and a greater percentage of people who are the ‘subjects’ of systems and circumstances (link to be added later!).

That's one view.

Another view is that we are capable of creating technology and institutions for the “common good”. Set against a dominant narrative of property, power, violence and aggression are those technologies and institutions that emerge every now and again which have the potential to organise production and to distribute power and wealth more widely. A business might be run as a cooperative. A community may organise within a geographic location. The Internet can democratise knowledge. Software production may be freely shared as "open source". We can even imagine AI for good (OpenAI was originally intended as such). These are just a few examples (link to be added later!).

We are faced with a stark choice today.

Are we content to continue to operate systems which predominantly exercise self-interest to perpetuate war, famine, destruction, injustice and the destruction of our natural world? Or can we develop new approaches to moderation (self and institutional) and tolerance in order to  promote common good. Not to destroy the current system but to rebalance it.

The realisation here is that system change will not be birthed by an established system. System change comes from innovation outside of established practices. (link to be added later!).

To be clear, this paper does not promote the dismantling of the current system of economics, capitalism or globalisation, as some have proposed.  Nor does it call for any form of “degrowth,” as some are calling for. Nor is this part of a “purpose before profit”, or “profit before purpose” coalition. This is not a Political manifesto for a new trans-national organisation.

Instead, it promotes the idea that to find more moderate and tolerant systems we need to empower person to person value. Not with economic measures but with narrative value, through stories, capturing a clearer understanding of how individuals are making a positive impact and improving the wellbeing of people and the planet.   We need to innovate, to maximise the innate passion in people, the social outcomes they desire and to support their projects. In order to do this we need to promote bottom-up funding, to minimise the conditionality around funding and certainly to minimise bureaucracy. We know this works, because we’ve consistently received additional funding for our innovative Value Exchange funding system, based entirely on passionate stories told by those who benefit.

De-risking collapse. An approach to moderation.

Amidst a growing discourse, some analysts are depicting our era as a precipice of a 'meta-crisis,' [3] a term that conjures images of widespread upheaval and transformation. This narrative suggests an imminent, seismic shift in our societal foundations, implying that the current system must crumble to pave the way for a more just and equitable world. Such a transition, however, is painted in stark colours of turmoil and hardship, evoking scenes akin to the strife in Ukraine and Palestine, potentially spreading to global proportions. It envisions a cascade of events including market collapses, widespread energy shortages, currency failures, and the unbridled spread of advanced weaponry, AI, and cybersecurity threats. The potential fallout – ecological devastation and the endangerment of human existence – is a chilling prospect.

However, this apocalyptic vision is not one we subscribe to, nor do we find solace in the notion of maintaining the status quo. We firmly believe that such a catastrophic scenario is not only avoidable but also that we stand on the cusp of a transformative era, powered by the collective will and optimism of millions across the globe. These individuals, operating outside traditional systems, are championing a profound intensification of Social Value – prioritising people and the planet in a way that promises to act as a 'value multiplier.' This shift has the potential to ignite a boundless passion for creating a world that is inclusive and beneficial for all.

To harness this momentum, we are in the process of establishing a 'common good' fund. This fund will be a testament to participatory governance, where those directly involved, alongside experts in people-led value initiatives, oversee the platform. This model ensures that the communities benefiting from the fund have a decisive voice in resource allocation. The fund's impact would be measured not in economic terms but in the transformative stories of those whose lives are enriched through a proven “Value Exchange” process.

By channelling resources to the right people and projects, we can catalyse meaningful change. This approach doesn't just offer a solution; it offers a vision of a future where value is defined not by wealth or power, but by the positive impact we have on each other and our planet. So, what exactly is Value Exchange? It is the cornerstone of this new era – a concept that redefines value in terms of social and environmental impact, rather than traditional economic metrics. It's an idea whose time has come, and one that holds the key to unlocking a future that works for everyone.

Beyond Economics — Person to Person Value Exchange.

Value Exchange represents a paradigm shift, redefining how we perceive and assign value in our society. It transcends traditional economic metrics, spotlighting the rich tapestry of human experience and interaction that often goes unnoticed in our commodified world.

At the heart of Value Exchange lies the recognition of the intrinsic worth of stories, relationships, and communal bonds. These aspects of human life, though intangible and often unquantifiable in monetary terms, are fundamental to our wellbeing and societal health. This approach is crucial in realms where social value is paramount, as it acknowledges the profound impacts that extend beyond financial metrics. In social ventures, for instance, success is measured in the positive transformations within communities and ecosystems, reflecting a holistic view of progress.

Value Exchange challenges us to redefine our understanding of value, urging us to consider the depth and significance of our interactions and contributions. This reorientation enriches our experiences and fosters a more equitable and empathetic society.

Consider the example of parental care. Traditional economic systems do not recognize the value of a parent caring for their child, yet if this care is outsourced, it contributes to the GDP. This discrepancy raises critical questions about our current measures of societal and planetary wellbeing. Value Exchange seeks to bridge this gap, using methodologies from sociology, anthropology, and ethnography to capture and articulate the value inherent in personal narratives and community engagement.

“Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country, it measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. And it can tell us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans.” - Robert F. Kennedy, 1968

As we embrace Value Exchange, we start viewing individuals, communities, and projects as catalysts for passion and transformation. This perspective differentiates meaningful work from mere labour – the latter being a simple exchange of time for money. In a world increasingly influenced by AI, we see the displacement of traditional jobs not as a threat but as an opportunity to redefine work as a meaningful and fulfilling endeavour.

Empowering individuals to pursue their passions through Value Exchange is essential. It involves providing access to resources. In experimenting, we see the emergence of many new ”means of production” including blockchains, open source and maker labs.  We do not (yet) know “what comes next” in terms of sustainable work but those who are exploring need financial support and access to capital.

A foundational step in this journey is the implementation of a basic income for participants in this new system. This provision would not only offer financial security but also enable people to explore and engage in activities that truly resonate with their values and aspirations. In doing so, we create a framework where the exchange of value is based on personal and societal enrichment, rather than purely economic transactions. This is the essence of Value Exchange – a model that champions the human spirit and its boundless capacity for growth, connection, and positive change.

Basic Income

Universal Basic Income (UBI) presents a radical reimagining of societal support structures, one that could dramatically reshape the landscape of empowerment and opportunity. This paper, while supportive of UBI, is not a plea to policymakers for its immediate, wholesale implementation. Instead, it proposes a Basic Income plus Value Exchange as a means to bridge the gap that currently exists in our system—a gap that stifles innovation and exploration for those without financial independence or supportive employment.

Traditional systems often present an array of insurmountable barriers for those lacking independent means or a benevolent employer. To illustrate this point, we turn to an excerpt from Guy Standing's "The Politics of Time," which highlights the stringent and often counterproductive conditions placed on Universal Credit claimants. These individuals, in their quest for financial aid, are subjected to rigorous and sometimes futile job searching activities, with the constant threat of sanctions and benefit withdrawal looming over them.

Universal Credit claimants must wait a statutory five weeks for the first payment, and in practice the wait is often longer. To receive benefits, those deemed ‘able to work’ must sign a ‘claimant commitment contract’ to perform various tasks each week for at least thirty-five hours, backed by financial penalties in the form of withdrawal of benefits for non-compliance. They must engage in intensive job searching or preparation and prove that they have done so, whether suitable jobs exist or not. If any of the designated tasks are not done, or not done to the apparent satisfaction of the ‘work coach’, the person can be sanctioned and have their benefit withdrawn, reducing or removing their only or main source of income.

Our experience with the Young Leaders pilot during the pandemic, where we employed 65 long-term unemployed individuals, offered a glimpse into a more effective approach. Instead of compelling the unemployed to engage in endless job applications with little hope of success, we focused on enabling them to pursue work that they found meaningful and fulfilling and which the community benefits from. This approach not only empowers individuals but also fosters a transition through passion, rather than perpetuating disenfranchisement and frustration through sanctions and coercion.

The key to this empowerment is the elimination of funding conditionality. Such conditionality often leads to the attachment of strings to grants and income, creating burdensome administrative overheads for monitoring and reporting. These constraints are rooted in the current market-driven paradigm, where funding is often contingent upon answering questions like "Am I getting economic value for my money?" or "Can this be purchased more cheaply in the market?" These narratives dominate the discourse, making it challenging to shift away from the prevailing labour/commodity metaphor.

In stark contrast, our Theory of Change advocates for a funding model and a fund that is both unrestricted and free from unnecessary rules and conditions. By adopting this approach, we can create an environment where individuals are not just funded but are genuinely supported in their endeavours to explore and actualize their passions. This shift from a transactional to a transformational funding model has the potential to unlock unprecedented levels of creativity, engagement, and societal contribution, laying the foundation for a more equitable and thriving society. And this is not theory; we have proven the outcomes over and over again.

What are the key features of our fund?

A Commons Fund

The concept of a Commons Fund, as envisioned by EthosVO, represents a transformative approach to resource allocation and project support. This fund is characterised by several distinctive features, each designed to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and effective distribution of resources.

Key Features of the Commons Fund:

1. Unrestricted Scope: The fund operates without geographical, demographic, or beneficiary restrictions, embracing a diverse range of participants committed to enhancing the wellbeing of people and the planet.
2. Well-Defined Commitments: Participants agree to specific outcomes related to people and planet wellbeing, along with clear start and end dates for their projects.
3. Living Wage Participation: All project participants are offered a living wage, ensuring that involvement in these projects is both sustainable and equitable.
4. Value Exchange Prioritisation: Participants complete a Value Exchange process before applying, ensuring alignment with the fund's core principles.
5. Social Value Reporting: Projects, rather than the funding source, are responsible for reporting social value to stakeholders, emphasising accountability and transparency.
6. Efficient Fund Management: Both fundraising and fund management operate on a 100% variable cost basis, maximising efficiency and resource allocation.
7. Participatory Governance: Projects are funded and governed through participatory mechanisms, allowing for broader and more democratic involvement in decision-making.
8. Minimal Governance Oversight: Fund managers provide only essential oversight, reducing bureaucracy and empowering project teams.
9. Independent Project Funding: There is no direct funding of projects by funders, ensuring impartiality and fairness in the allocation process.
10. Continuous Funding Mechanism: Projects are continually funded based on a 'Project Pipeline' system, similar to models used in open-source platforms like GitHub, moving away from competition-based or periodic funding meetings.

This approach challenges the traditional grant-making process, often dominated by competition, which can be both destructive and regressive. Rather than engaging in a zero-sum game where organisations expend significant efforts on unlikely grant submissions, the Commons Fund utilises proven methods from open-source participatory models. This approach ensures a more equitable distribution of resources, focusing on projects with a clear mission for the common good and a consensus among stakeholders.

The Commons Fund envisions a system where the majority of resources – 90-95% – are directly allocated to the projects themselves, leaving only a minimal portion for administrative costs. This model treats assets as 'common goods,' akin to those in open-source or community land trusts, avoiding the pitfalls of bureaucracy often seen in traditional structures like Community Interest Companies (CICs).

While this proposal does not advocate for an immediate overhaul of current governance, business, and charitable systems, it does propose a gradual, necessary transition towards a more equitable distribution of resources. In an era where businesses excel in generating profits and governments have the capacity to create fiscal stimuli, the focus should shift towards supporting projects that contribute to the common good. This approach, rather than bolstering institutions like banks through traditional quantitative easing, envisions a form of monetary easing that stimulates societal wellbeing.

The ultimate goal is not to build an expansive new institution or to rely on excessive funding but to create practical propositions that initiate this transition. With a focus on building momentum and crafting better narratives, this model posits that a fairer and more just society is within reach, based on the resources and capabilities we currently possess. This vision for the Commons Fund is a bold step towards that future, prioritising people, planet, and the power of collective action. The key components and stakeholders of the Commons Fund are illustrated below:

The Ecosystem

Key to the success of our mission is the support of an ecosystem of organisational participants who are committed to our core mission: to amplify individual passions towards building a sustainable world for everyone. As explained in the fund outline, our approach is rather “bottom up” insofar as participants are empowered and supported to collaborate with one another to form projects that will explore innovative new ways to work sustainably and create more societal wellbeing.  

The system described below can be categorised as either Government, Funders and Beneficiary Organisations.

Government: Governments (central, local and covering many nations) support our project primarily as an ‘endorser’ of business and community projects. At this stage of the economic cycle they are not key funders (this may differ at the next round of QE). Government uses policy, events, procurement and the Social Value Act to support the endorsement and networking required to sustain the project. These terms are encapsulated in a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) with various government agencies and departments. Ethos has used this method successfully in major projects such as Team Army, SkillsPlanner and Team Police in the past.

Funders: The role of funders is self-evident.  The fund will be operated in an open and transparent way according to relevant laws and fundraising guidelines. Funders will receive regular impact reports on the stories generated by community participants and their projects enabled by their support. Funders come in all shapes and sizes from businesses (where EthosVO has an exceptional track record), to venture philanthropists, grant giving charities and family offices. Funders will have the ability to visit and experience the impact of funded projects first hand and will be able to attend a variety of signature events arranged by our ecosystem participants. Funding terms are encapsulated in a sponsorship contract, funding, donation or grant agreement.

Beneficiary Organisations: give the project its primary route to market (beneficiaries who are individuals with project ideas). Any organisation can become a beneficiary organisation like a charity, for example. All share some common characteristics:

1. Organisations are a "route to market" to bring people and projects proposals to the platform and
2. They are funded by the Commons Fund (for project administration) and
3. They use the Value Exchange System to document the person to person wellbeing outcomes and project progress for all participating people and projects.
4. They act as the project coordinator to provide administrative support and reporting for the projects.

These terms are encapsulated in a "rights of association" contract.

The final piece in the ecosystem is the digital platform which is free to use. It is an open source digital resource to enable the development and management of the key components of the system. This includes project support, Value Exchange and a better understanding of how one spends their time in exploring socially valuable work. More information can be found about the overall project on https://ethosvo.org and an MVP platform at https://commons.ethosvo.org and here: https://www.hylo.com/groups/tcf

Who are the stakeholders of the project?

The Ethos Project co-founders

Rob, Tony and Annabelle worked together in the 90s as part of EY’s UK management consulting team and have worked together since then (Annabelle did have a few years outside the ‘clan’ where she went to Sweden with no children and came back with two and now Tony’s main work is in being an endlessly engaged grandfather!).  Ethos infrastructure has varied from just a few of us to over 150 ‘partners’ according to the projects we are developing. The Commons Fund Project started in December 2022 when, following the pandemic, Ethos saw an opportunity to transition our knowledge and experience towards an open innovation system rather than solely incubating our own projects.

Annabelle Lambert

Having been on this journey for the last 25 years, I really believe there is a better way of working. I don’t want to be a wage slave and am particularly passionate about having purpose and enabling “real” flexibility at work.

I see changes required to the system and behaviour in how people engage with each other, I want these exchanges to be more meaningful, I would like to see people more responsible and accountable, shed their corporate mask and understand that they have the power to make a difference both within and without their organisational contexts.

I will continue to champion flexibility and keep pushing for “value exchange” to change the world! Oh...and have some Phun doing it!

The Young Leaders initiative was one of the best things I have ever done.  The young people I worked with really got the future of work, what’s possible and why Value Exchange gave them the empowerment they needed.

Robert Pye

Rob lives in Surrey with his wife Sarah. They have three grown-up boys Jonny, Sam and Will. He is half geek, half social-entrepreneur with a passion for supporting people's ongoing discovery of meaning.

Rob's career was mostly Corporate until 2010 when he co-founded Ethos with Tony and Annabelle. Since then Ethos has conducted 1,000s of experiments into how humans can work with one another more successfully and harmoniously. Right back to when Rob was at EY in the late '90s Rob believed that organisations and bureaucracies can often hinder more than help these people-outcomes: His mission is to help people re-engage with activities that mean most to them both inside and outside of work.

By nature of experimentation, dozens of projects have resulted in huge learning opportunities whilst others have become sustainable charities, businesses and projects in their own right.

Rob's focus now is on supporting individuals and organisations through change by focusing on re-connecting them with social and environmental value using the Value Exchange Approach. Primarily this is about a set of behaviours based on Trust, Collaboration, Alignment and Moderation (of interests). Rob sees work (paid or otherwise) as the key means of engaging meaningfully.

Tony Clarke (part-time)

After 35+ years working in a variety of organisations (business/IT) Tony retains a constant interest  in how they actually work (practice versus process), the nature of ‘work’, emerging enablers (to address both efficiency and effectiveness) and the role of cooperation and networks (between individuals and between organisations). These topics are of increasing relevance today as the new ‘industrial revolution’ begins to play out and new economic models begin to emerge.

As a co-Founder of TeamArmy (now TeamForces) Tony had the freedom to use his business architect skills to help build a new model for sustainable fundraising in aid of wellbeing through physical activity within the Armed Forces. The model he co-created is still sustainably funded today having raised over £12m to date.

The Projects

Past

For over a decade and a half, EthosVO has been at the forefront of supporting individuals dedicated to the wellbeing of people and the planet. Our approach has been holistic, providing not just support, but a nurturing ecosystem where passion for social and environmental change can flourish. We have established a safe and collaborative environment, underpinned by common processes and a robust platform, fostering a community where innovation and experimentation are not just encouraged but are the norm.

Central to our mission is the concept of 'pump-priming' – an initiative where we offer the necessary minimum incomes and capital investments. This strategy ensures that those driven by their passion for making a difference are not hindered by financial constraints. By placing these passionate individuals at the heart of our endeavours, we empower them to explore, innovate, and actualize their visions for a better world.

The impact of our work is best exemplified through a showcase of selected projects. Each of these initiatives highlights the tangible results of our commitment to nurturing and supporting change-makers in their quest to create a more sustainable and equitable world. These projects are not just demonstrations of what has been achieved; they are beacons of inspiration, showing what can be accomplished when passion is met with the right support and resources. Please see these resources for more information: Team Army / Team Forces, Smart Cities, SkillsPlanner, TeamPolice and 1TeamActive and Young Leaders  

The above cases represent only a small portion of the work we have undertaken since 2010 when the original c-people.com established in 1999 was relaunched as EthosVO.org.

Meet The Projects!

In the section below, project leads share short synopsis of their current projects and participants. They outline how the first round of grants is going to be spent as well as the social impact that they are moving towards.  This is only a very tiny selection of the projects we currently have access to.  There is a near infinite scalability to the momentum and impact that our platform will reach with the support of current and future collaborators.

• The Valley of Grace, situated 90 minutes from Cape Town, South Africa, stands as a groundbreaking action research initiative committed to sustainable, denizen-led transformation, which includes ecological and cultural forgiveness and deep reparations. This living laboratory and learning hub, rooted in indigenous principles, has embarked on a multi-generational journey to revitalise both nature and human communities. With a historical legacy tracing back to 1737 when the first mission station in South Africa was established, the Valley of Grace acknowledges and transcends the challenges posed by colonial and neoliberal practices. The State of Grace process, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary framework, encompasses deep forgiveness, community land trusts, reforestation, community-led food production, circular economies, community inclusion currencies, and alternative education models. By leveraging local resources, fostering social cohesion, and implementing innovative projects, the initiative addresses systemic issues such as unemployment, substance abuse, and teenage pregnancies. This action research venture not only promises ecological regeneration but also serves as a model for inclusive, resilient community development, inviting Family Offices to join in leaving a legacy of renewal, resilience, and repatriation during times of uncertainty.

• Wilder Sensing The venture mission is to better understand how biodiversity is changing through analysing vast quantities of soundscape audio using AI identifying which species are present. Sites will generate over a million species level records per year providing ecologists, land managers and investors a much better understanding of the impact they are having from changing the land management plan.This is now being used in a number of countries and by professional ecologists. See here for more information.

• Planet Earth Games. Project Lead: Christopher Broadbent. Planet Earth Games was created in 2019 bringing together sport and physical activity with sustainability. The path to decarbonise and environmental sustainability requires massive collective action. Nothing is as powerful as sport in generating passion and bringing people together in a shared cause - that’s why we believe it has a unique role in tackling the climate crisis. We have clear proposition, channelling the tools of sport including points, rewards, leaderboards to recognise and reward people taking sustainable actions in workplace, education and community settings leading to annual Earth Day winners

• Somerset Biochar: (Blackdown Hills Transition Group / Blackdown Hills Eco Hub / Trim Plants (nursery) Project Lead: Carolyn Dare. Our world faces a critical challenge: diminishing topsoil and destruction of valuable microbial/fungal networks and the subsequent impact on agricultural sustainability. The loss of this vital layer, essential for nutrient concentration and fostering healthy plant growth, threatens global food production. The UN predicts we have 60-70 harvests left if this continues. The erosion of topsoil due to intensive farming, chemical use, deforestation, and climate change is already jeopardising the livelihoods of millions. The Solution: Biochar Implementation We propose leveraging biochar—a valuable resource derived from waste green materials, diseased wood, branches and hedgerow cuttings that are typically discarded, burnt or put in landfill —to address this challenge. Biochar's multifaceted benefits in soil improvement, carbon sequestration, and agricultural enhancement, position it as a powerful tool for sustainable land management and soil regeneration.

• Returning Citizens: Project Lead: Lady Val Corbett. Jobs are crucial to people released from prison. UK reoffending rate – highest in Western Europe - is around 50% but falls to 19% when they are employed so charities and social enterprise members of the Corbett Network focus on jobs for their service users.. We look for funding for 6-12 people to give them employment for six months which gets them into work ethic habit: reliability, turning up on time and being a team player. This will stand them in good stead for obtaining a permanent job. After their time on this funding stream, we will connect them to a Corbett Network member’s Careers Service which gives them access to socially functioning employers who hire returning citizens.

• The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit: Project Lead: Jimmy Paul. The VRU unit is part of Police Scotland. Their mission is to reduce violence. Jimmy would like to put together a young persons governing board of 8-12 young people with “lived experience”. Their role would inform stakeholders (police, charities, government, business) of “what works” through the eyes of people who not only have lived experience but also the passion to improve the lives of those who are involved with violence in Scotland.  The fund aims to support this group and potentially many other similar groups through a living wage for up to 2 years.

• Young Leaders Project Lead: Haleem Clift  Speaker, film maker, young person influencer. B2M Productions is a creative youth-based media company dedicated to enhancing the well-being of young men through impactful digital content. We craft narratives addressing mental, emotional, and physical health, acknowledging concerning statistics on issues like violent crime and suicide rates. Our initiatives include podcasts, videos, and educational tours empowering young men and incorporating diverse voices to tackle broader societal challenges. Committed to sustainability, we continuously refine our projects to advocate for young men's well-being and offer solutions to some of society’s biggest issues.

• TeenTech - Project Lead Maggie Philbin. We run lively initiatives with a supporting Award scheme to inspire 15,000 young innovators of the future each year. We support teenagers in gaining skills, experiences and connections to guide them into contemporary careers and give everyone the chance to reach their full potential. We work collaboratively with companies, universities, business organisations and education business partnerships to build sustainable and imaginative programmes focussing on regions of greater social need in the UK and Europe.

• The 4th Sector - Lebanon: With 6 international partners, The 4th sector Lebanon aims to use Blockchain to empower local communities to run their civic infrastructure. Enabling peers to manage their water, energy, waste management and other civic needs on a municipal level - This project is managed by Carpe Verum.
• Integrating OFN Lebanon: OFN is an online platform that connects local farmers and growers directly with consumers, including households, cafes, restaurants, schools, and hospitals. M Social Catering (MSC) & Carpe Verum aim to expand their reach and impact by integrating the Open Food Network (OFN) into their operations in Lebanon enabling the establishment of food hubs, which act as intermediaries between producers and buyers. This collaboration aims to empower bottoms-up and P2P socio-economic practices by onboarding, in the future, producers and buyers from different industries. The final stage will be integrating all platforms into the Blockchain - This project is managed by Carpe Verum.

• 4wardFutures: 4wardFutures is a registered charity working in England and Wales, committed to revolutionising the landscape of careers education. A Warrington-based charity with a primary focus on empowering young individuals from diverse backgrounds, we aim to equip them with the tools necessary to navigate and excel in their professional journeys. Our ethos, underscored by the belief that 'People can’t be what they can’t see,' drives our efforts to address the evolving challenges posed by rapid technological advancements and innovation. Through strategic partnerships with leading employers, esteemed universities, and reputable professional organisations, we endeavour to disrupt traditional paradigms in careers education. Our groundbreaking approach hinges on the implementation of highly creative collaborative projects, branded as our 4FJourneys, which serve as catalysts for engagement and learning. These meticulously curated 4FJourneys delve into thought-provoking themes such as Space, Sustainability, and AI, resonating with participants' inherent passions, values, and interests. By illuminating the realm of possibilities and opportunities available to them, we empower individuals to realise their fullest potential and chart a course towards a fulfilling and prosperous future.
• Supportive Citizen Credit System:  Project Lead: Giovanni Gambacorta The SCCS facilitates community-driven economic growth by matching local needs with local providers, ensuring a high success rate for investments and promoting individual and communal well-being. It emphasises a mutualistic, locally-focused approach to enable autonomy, prosperity, and societal change, inspired by Ivan Illich's conviviality concept, moving away from hyper-individualism towards collaborative empowerment. Local savers / investors will receive superior returns through locally productive investments mixing projects which have social / infrastructure benefits with those whose needs are more economically driven (interest/debt/equity tools)

If you are interested in finding out more, and/or participating in this project in any way please just contact us via email: annabelle.lambert@ethosvo.org and robert.pye@ethosvo.org