The Our MK interactive website was officially launched at our Cheese and Wine Event last month.

As you already know from our previous newsletters, Our MK is a platform for all people living in Milton Keynes who want to have their say in shaping the future of MK. Individual citizens and local groups can share their ideas through the website and apply for up to £5K funding to run projects beneficial for the city’s transport, energy, water, health and environment. The website aims to generate exciting and tangible citizen-led projects in Milton Keynes.
 

The launch event featured presentations from the key people behind the MK:Smart project, including members of the Our MK team at Community Action: MK and the Open University, who explained the concept of this smart cities initiative in MK.



The real highlight of the event was a talk from Michael Sheppard, MK citizen, who has been announced as one of the first Citizen Ideas Competition winners.

 

To find out more about the Our MK launch event, please read our blog story here. 

The project is about promoting a very low-cost system for off-grid solar lighting. Such a system is about promoting and fostering a sense of independence and resilience and at the same time hopefully encouraging a more judicious and respectful attitude to domestic electricity consumption.

Visit Michael’s page on Our MK here to find out more about his project.

FRANZI - MK INDIE FOOD FORUM AND FOOD PASSPORT



The project is focussed on the ‘Milton Keynes Indie Food Passport’, a brochure type passport, which includes descriptions and addresses of local food outlets (including directions and opening times) as well as general information on the Milton Keynes independent food scene. The passport will have a space where local food outlets could ‘stamp’ their own logo when a customer visits their stall/shop. The passport could also act as a ‘discount booklet’, offering holders 10% off (or similar).

Visit Franzi's page on Our MK here or visit the MK Food Revolution site to find out more.

Don't forget that You or your group can also apply for funding to the Citizen Ideas Competition.

Application deadline: 8th of November!

Find out more & apply here. 

September was a very busy month for our team - we travelled across MK to promote Our MK to a wide range of audiences!
 
10 September - Asda Superstore in Bletchley

We talked to a large number of Asda's customers during the busy lunch time footfall.

22 & 24 September  - MK College

We engaged with Students during the Fresher's Fairs at the Woughton nd Bletchley campuses.

22 September  - The Buszy

We showcased Our MK at the training sessions of the Citizens:mk group.

 

We follow social media to find news, articles and case studies that are relevant to the MK:Smart project, and could give us ideas on how to work towards transforming MK into a smart city.

Here is our (very popular) post from September:

Posted by us, @ComActMK, #driverlesspod spotted in MK on the 15th September!

 

Follow us at @ComActMK or search #MKSmart, #ChallengeMK or #OurMK, and tag us in any interesting stories that you come across. You can also connect with us on our MK:Smart Citizen Lab on Google+.