Boles Launches New Social Entrepreneurship Initiative

Following David Cameron's lead on social responsibility London mayoral candidate Nick Boles has today launched 'Good Neighbours', a philanthropic initiative designed to help youth groups working in some of the most deprived parts of London. He will help them raise money from those generating new wealth in the City. He says...

I believe that the solution to London's problems lie within our own community. We are all neighbours in London. And good neighbours help each other in times of need. I am confident that the people currently enjoying spectacular success in the City want to do their bit to give all of London's young people opportunities to learn and grow and to build confidence in themselves and their futures. But many of these new millionaires are busy people who work very hard and they need someone to make it easy for them.That is what Good Neighbours will do.

Good Neighbours is already working with groups like XLP in SouthLondon and the Eastside Young Leaders Academy in East London. Donors will be encouraged to provide support in a number of ways: some will want to form a relationship with a particular youth group and give money directly to them; others will want to give money to a charitable intermediary that assesses which groups most deserve support. For this reason, Good Neighbours is working with the new charity andventure philanthropist, Future, which was set up to support projects assisting disadvantaged young people. Future will vet youth groups looking for support and report to donors on the outcome of their investment. Good Neighbours will encourage donors to make a long-term commitment ( e.g. 3 years) and to support the core costs of youth groups rather than just the eye-catching new projects on which most statutory funding is focused.

Speaking ahead of the launch this morning, Nick Boles said...

In recent months, London has seen a spate of gang murders involving childrenkilling other children. At the same time, just a few miles away, other Londoners have been making unprecedented fortunes from hedgefunds, private equity and investment banking. Although the primary focus of Good Neighbours is to encourage wealthy Londoners to donate larger sums of money, we want to encourage every Londoner to try and make a difference, whether by giving £50 or volunteering a few hours each week. Any Londoner who wants to be a good neighbour to London's young people should visit our website and sign up.

Obviously Nick wants this kind of initiative to help his campaign, and good luck to him. It's certainly innovative and a very different way of campaigning to the others who have already announced they are running. To find out more visit the Good Neighbours website.