Cultura
UK: Connecting expertise
A new initiative encourages voluntary and community organisations to generate income by selling goods and services.
The initiative, called Only Connect, was launched on 2 May 2006 by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) which will manage Only Connect as part of its Sustainable Funding Project. Triodos Bank, which specialises in finance for ethical, environmental and social enterprise, is funding the scheme. The initiative will link voluntary and community organisations with organisations that are already generating income through trading. As part of the scheme, trading organisations that participate will receive a consultation fee in payment for the expert advice, time and information that they supply. Only Connect will also reimburse travel expenses. The NCVO aims to award around 10 bursaries every three months until November 2006. www.ncvo-sfp.org.uk
