This week, Perth based community funded microgrant dinner, Perth SOUP had their inaugural event at Spacecubed.
We weren’t able to attend the event, because West Tech Fest, so we asked the organisers to explain what it’s about and how the first event went:
What is SOUP?
SOUP is more than a dinner, it’s a platform that allows everyday people to connect with others and shape the future of their place. SOUP’s goal is to showcase and support projects that benefit the Perth community.
“We’re open to any kind of project, big or small, as long as the impacts are local. The variety of projects presented at SOUP is what makes it so engaging.”– Keeya-Lee Ayre, Co-founder.
For $10 guests receive soup, salad, bread and a vote. Attendees will hear four presentations from creative social initiatives who each have four minutes to share their idea and then field questions from the diners. When the night nears to a close we count the votes and whichever pitch has the most takes home the money donated at the door.
What is the future for SOUP?
We hope to empower everyday citizens to make a difference in Perth through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust and fun. If we get a strong regular turn out and can see impact being made in the community, we would be ecstatic. We’d also love to see neighbourhood or regional SOUPs popping up, where residents outside of the inner-metro area get together to create smaller SOUP events that encourage neighbours to get together and support local projects.
News from the night
Over 80 people attended the event, raising $836.
The four ideas pitched ranged from supporting Australian charities through e-commerce to educating West Australians about recycling. By 8pm the crowd had spoken, Jen Worrall from Smokin’ Honey Beehives took home the microgrant. Smokin’ Honey Beehives aims to educate people about the importance of bees in our environment and how to manage their own hives confidently.
Jen said that the grant will “go directly to hive supplies, flat pack hive boxes that I will build myself in preparation for Spring to house rescued bee swarms. The microgrant will also contribute to educational supplies to train new beekeepers”.
Proposals pitched on the night:
Smokin‘ Honey Beehives – promoting the importance of bees in our environment and training Perth people how to manage their own hives confidently.
eKarma – a unique e-commerce platform which allows conscious consumers to nominate and raise funds for their favourite charities by simply shopping for their favourite brands/services without spending a dollar more.
ReShoe – a shoe recycling program that empowers disadvantaged people in the Korogochu slums in Kenya and educating Perth school children on the value of entrepreneurship, basic business principles and recycling.
Lunarticks and Enkel – a group of creative looking to set up space for a Living Lab concept that brings people together to collaborate and learn with the intention of being a community catalyst.
Supporters
Perth SOUP would not be possible without the support of Spacecubed, Mary Street Bakery, Delish Ice, Greenstone Legal, FatHen and our volunteers on the night.
Further Information
Perth SOUP is held on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.
