Eyes Wide Open

Eyes Wide Open is an opportunity to hear a perspective on a topic or story from a different angle.  Hosted in Cardiff and taking inspiration form Ignite Cardiff, Detroit Soup, Big Moose, TEDx Cardiff and the RSA this series of events will help tell new stories and support fresh ideas at the same time.

Each event will feature a speaker from three areas of society – sports & culture, business, and politics – but there is a key difference; all of the money donated on the door will go to local projects. This is inspired by Detroit Soup, which is a monthly dinner that directly funds creative projects in Detroit with micro-grants.

The awards at Eyes Wide Open will be made there and then on the night, through a vote once the speakers are done and the ideas have been presented.

And the really good news? We have received a Catalyst Award from the RSA to make it happen! Our first event will be held on Friday 25 September, from 6PM until 8PM, in a secret city centre location.

What we need

• projects

• ideas

• things that bug you that you wish somebody would do something about.

We want to use the funds raised to support local projects, social entrepreneurs, community groups, and more to democratise grants and bring forward new, fresh ideas.  We know there are stacks of people in the city who could make things happen, but need a little bit of support to get it across the line.  The thing we are hoping for most is getting the right people in the room who can offer more than just the money: support, mentoring, expertise, breaking down doors to keep projects moving.

Throughout the night, there will be videos between the speakers which show off the projects that are looking for support, giving an idea of what they are looking to make happen, why it matters to them, and what is currently missing in order for them to get going.

Detroit Soup, established in 2010, has raised over £60,000 through 100 events, funding projects like Sit On It Detroit, which turns bus stops into book sharing hubs, and the Empowerment Plan, which has gone on to create over 25 jobs for the homeless community.

What we will fund: materials, project costs, development fees, between £250-£500, awarded democratically by the audience on the night.

We are even using a good example of this kind of community action with the platform used to manage the voting process. DooPoll is a project built by Small Joys in Cardiff to enable groups to share opinions in a simple, attractive way, without external influence or bias.

If you have an idea, want to hear some great speakers, want to support the local community, or just spend an evening with an awesome group of people, keep an eye out for tickets, which will be released on Thursday 10 September, along with news of speakers and the venue.  

Do you want to join us?

More details will be announced on our Facebook Event Page or you can book tickets on Eventbrite now.

If you know of, or are involved with, any great local projects that benefit the community and would benefit from instant microfunding then please use this form to apply.