United Way of the Lower Mainland is partnering with BC Ideas in a competition to find innovative solutions to health, social and environmental challenges facing BC communities today and in the future.

The competition enables social entrepreneurs to enter their ideas and programs to gain funding and support, or to vote for and help select the winners.

More than $200,000 in investments will be awarded to top entries, and United Way of the Lower Mainland is providing a $15,000-investment to the best idea for combating homelessness in the Lower Mainland.

With its key priority areas of childhood poverty, bullying and social isolation among seniors, United Way sees homelessness as a key factor in the health and well being of vulnerable seniors and families. United Way is particularly interested in innovative partnerships that bring together all stakeholders in tackling homelessness in the Lower Mainland’s challenging housing market.

Further good news for social entrepreneurs is that the BC Ideas community will continue after the competition, offering access to additional opportunities for social innovations that strengthen BC communities.

The competition, which has already attracted hundreds of entries, allows entrants to connect with a global online community that supports positive social change, and with a provincial network through the BC Ideas community, where they can convene, collaborate, and turn ideas into action, and programs into even greater impact.

The deadline for ideas is 12th September, 2012, voting begins on the 19th of October and ends on 2nd of November 2012. The winners will be announced on the 7th of November.