CatalystThe UK Catalyst Awards: community awards for social technology

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Read on to find out more about the awards, discuss the awards, view our 2008 winners to see some examples of great ideas that have already made a difference.

Partners BERR NESTA

Winner - The Community Award

Christy McAleese - Savvy Chavvy

http://www.mediafordevelopment.org.uk/

The Savvy Chavvy Project began in January 2008 when Nathalie McDermott of On Road Media and I hit the road to deliver social media and citizen journalism training to young Gypsy Travellers across the south east. Despite very early starts, getting stranded on various rural branch lines and some unusual training venues (including a converted Double Decker Bus) we were spurred on by the positive responses of the young people we worked with. We met some amazing young journalists, editors, camera-people and directors all of whom we could see growing into powerful advocates for their community. Whilst all of this happened the Savvy Chavvy online network was growing at a phenomenal rate. With Nathalie’s technical wizardry and guidance from Unltd young Gypsy-Travellers from across the UK and beyond began to make connections and talk about their shared interests and culture. Savvy Chavvy hosts some brilliant examples of citizen journalism but it is the simple day-to-day exchanges that I find the most powerful; young people discovering relatives they didn’t know they had, making friends, talking about music, dancing and fairs. It is this combination of social purpose and social life that I believe will ensure Savvy Chavvy continues to grow. Many thanks to everyone who was involved, it is due to the fact that you are all too numerous to name that the project has been such a great success and so enjoyable to work on.  

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