At the launch event of the Havaianas Original Campaign last week, this RockEd project was brought to my attention.

What is The RockEd Original Project Grant?

The RockEd Original Project Grant is a search for the most original youth-involved and youth-targeted projects.

Keeping with the “original” theme, this initiative is looking to fund groups or organisations with an original idea.

Who can join?

• Any individual or group between the ages of 13 to 32 years old.
• Group members may be made up of two members or more.

How to join:

1. Send in your original youth-involved and youth-targeted project on or before 04 April 2009.
2. Email your entries to: myidea@rockedphilippines.org
3. Entries must include the following information:

• Complete name/s of sender/s
• Age/s of sender/s
• Email address/es
• Address of project representative
• Telephone and mobile phone numbers of project representative

4. The project entry must follow the following format:

• Project Title (name of your project should be catchy, original, and descriptive)
• Objective (the main goal of your project)
• Project Team (information about the team; reasons for joining)
• Beneficiary (who will benefit from your project)
• Mechanics (how will you go about it; where will it be implemented; details will be greatly appreciated — this portion of the application is your best opportunity to explain and describe your project, feel free to enumerate)
• Budget (a detailed report on how you intend to distribute the grant money)
• Extra info we need to know about you/your team

Terms and Conditions:

1. All project details will be posted on rockedoriginalgrant.multiply.com for online voting. Online voting ends on 17 April 2009.

2. There are three (3) categories:

• High School - any individual or group ages 13-17 years
• College - any individual or group aged 17-21 years, not necessarily enrolled in a university
• Professional - an individual or group 21 years and older

3. Three (3) projects will be chosen per category. A total of nine (9) projects will be chosen.

4. The following are the minimum* grants to be awarded:

• High School - Php 8,000.00
• College - Php 10,000.00
• Professional - Php 15,000.00

*Actual grants will depend on the pledges during the launch of the Havaianas Original Campaign

5. Entries will be evaluated and selected following this criteria:

• ORIGINALITY of idea (25%)
• Social relevance (25%)
• Impact on intended beneficiary (25%)
• Votes generated through the Multiply site (25%)

6. Entries will be evaluated and judged by:

• Anne Gonzalez of Terry SA/Havaianas
• Gang Badoy of RockEd Philippines

7. Winners and awarding event details will be announced via the Multiply site. Winners will also be notified by phone call and email.

8. Winners must be available to physically accept the grant during the awarding. They must also present two valid IDs.

9. Winners must agree to the implementation of guidelines of RockEd, which includes liquidation of the grant fund with official receipts, vouchers, and document the event with photographs and/or video.

I reckon for you folks dying to make a difference, here’s a great way to turn that original project into reality. There’s no harm in taking shot to get that grant, yes? I’m sure that amount will take your project up a notch. Best of luck!

Image: Havaianas Philippines