VANEL are extremely pleased to announce that following months of research and planning, our IGNITE team have been successful in applying for up to £10,000 from The Environment Now, to fund their exciting CGI Virtual Reality experience ‘Pipes Away’.
The Environment Now (TEN) project is funded by O2 and the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund as part of the Our Bright Future programme. The programme, which is lead by the The National Youth Agency, is, over the course of three rounds, inviting young people aged 17 to 24 to find innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues using digital technology.
‘Pipes Away’ is a fun and interative virtual reality (VR) experience in which participants can travel down a virtual drain pipe and banish some of the belligerent blockages commonly found in UK drains. The aim of the experience is to teach people about the types of things that should and shouldn’t be put down the drain and the reasons why.
After submitting a successful preliminary funding bid to The Environment Now, IGNITE team members Victoria and Chris were invited to London to pitch their idea to a panel of judges who would decide whether or not they would be awarded up to £10,000 in funding for their VR experience. Prior to the pitch, Victoria and Chris had the opportunity to attend a ‘pre pitch’ event at the Think Big Hub in Hoxton Square on 14th January. There they had the chance to meet other young people who had also submitted a funding bid to TEN, and discuss their project ideas.
The following week, on Thursday 26th January, Victoria and Chris travelled back down to London to present their VR experience. The duo had 15 minutes to wow the judges with their presentation and answer logistical questional addressing the strengths, weaknesses and sustainability of the project. The teams’ hardwork paid off and the following day the IGNITE team were contacted by the NYA and told that they had been successful with their funding bid.
As of early next month, ‘Pipes Away’ operations will officially commence. We look forward to updating you with more news about this as and when we can! Stay tuned.
The next round of The Environment Now is open NOW for applications from young people aged 17-24 years. Visit GoThinkBig for more details and links to apply.