Submit your Idea and Win Grants (by Mahindra)

Source: http://www.sparktherise.com

Spark the Rise is a unique online platform for change-makers across India to connect with one another, collaborate and exchange ideas, procure volunteers and donors, and to compete for monthly grants from Mahindra. Submit a “Spark” – a Project or Idea that aims to drive positive change – and work with the Spark the Rise community to make it a reality! Browse through existing Sparks and support your favorites by voting, volunteering, lending your expertise, or providing funds and equipment. Hope on over to our Discussion Forum, introduce yourself, and Spark a conversation. The Spark the Rise Community is growing and thriving – join today and play your part in India’s Rise!

Evaluating Sparks

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Public voting and Jury evaluation

For each of the four monthly rounds and the Grand Finale, Sparks will be evaluated both by the public and by our expert Jury. Anyone who signs up on Spark the Rise is eligible to vote and can support their favorite Sparks. The Jury will evaluate each submission by looking at the Spark’s impact, feasibility, and potential.

How can you evaluate the strength of a Spark? We suggest that you use the following framework both when you are creating your own Sparks and evaluating others:

Impact:

How much will it affect the target group's lives? How many people will it help? Is it a one-time improvement or a continuous/long-term change?

Feasibility:

Does the Project or Idea’s action plan look achievable? If this Spark receives a grant, is it likely to succeed?

Innovation:

Is this Spark creative or original? Does it demonstrate alternative thinking that we can learn something new from?

The Jury will use these three points to make their decisions. However, public voting means that voters are free to evaluate Sparks as they choose. And remember, even if your Spark is not chosen to receive a grant, you can always use Spark the Rise as a platform to attract volunteers and donations.

What’s at Stake?

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Earn Grants

Each month, 12 Sparks will receive grants. Of these, 8 will be Projects, and 4 will be Ideas. Winning Projects will receive a grant of 4 lakh each, while winning Ideas will receive 2 lakh each. Winning Sparks will be decided by a combination of public voting and Jury evaluation. The top 2 Projects and top 1 Idea from each month will be eligible to participate in the Grand Finale.The remaining 6 entries – for a total of 18 participants in the Grand Finale – will be chosen by our expert Jury. Meet the Jury here.

Grand Finale

The 25th of February to the 15th of March 2013, 18 finalists will be in the running for 5 large grants from Mahindra. The 5 grants will be awarded as follows:

1) Projects:
1.1) The Top Project winner will receive 1 grant of 40 lakh.
1.2) The two runner-up Project winners will each receive 1 grant of 20 lakh each.

2) Ideas:
2.1) The Top Idea winner will win 1 grant of 20 lakh.
2.2) The Top runner-up Idea winner will win 1 grant of 10 lakh.

From the 25th of February to the 15th of March 2013, you will be able to vote for the Sparks you think can drive the most positive change in India. More details to come closer to the date!

These experts will be evaluating all Sparks and identifying which they believe should be awarded grants; they will also choose 6 Sparks to enter the Grand Finale. Check out the "How to Evaluate Projects" section above to see how they'll make their decisions

For more info., Visit http://www.sparktherise.com/aboutUs.php