9 December 2005

Bristol has entered to race to scoop the £7 million on offer for the winner of the Digital Challenge competition.

The contest was launched this week by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in an effort to encourage local governments to compete against each other to develop the use of ICT to improve local services.

A partnership between businesses, the community and the leaders at the city council believe that Bristol has a good chance of winning the challenge.

"Our hi-tech industries, universities and creative and cultural organisations are leading the way and the city council itself is heading up several national projects to promote online consultation, democratic engagement and trading," explained council deputy leader, councillor Simon Cook.

This city partnership is hoping that its recently launched Electric December digital event will help demonstrate that the city is worthy of the winning the prize money.

Electric December is an online digital advent calendar, aiming to bring community and education groups together with professional media companies.

The online calendar works like a traditional calendar, except that every time you click to open one of the boxes you'll find a digital treat rather than a picture or chocolate.

These can include original artwork, composed music, an interactive animation and video footage.

The city also has a good track record in terms of technological innovation having been recently awarded a Science City status by the government and named European City of eDemocracy.

The next step in the Digital Challenge is for Bristol to work out its initial proposals of how they would spend the £7 million to improve the use of ICT to benefit all in the community.

These proposals have to be submitted by the end of April next year, where the city will have to pass the regional heats to be in with a chance of hitting the jackpot.

© Adfero Ltd

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