Environmental campaigning organisation Friends of the Earth is opening its doors to the UK’s start-up community with a prize worth thousands of pounds. The charity is looking for a like-minded digital start-up to take up residency in its award-winning London office.

The prize, which includes six months’ free desk space in Friends of the Earth’s Stockwell office, represents an estimated cost-saving of over £8,000 and includes access to internal training and networking events.

“I’m thrilled that Friends of the Earth is opening our door to the digital community by launching the Start-up in Residence. We’ve worked hard to embrace digital transformation across our organisation so I’m looking forward to developing a mutually beneficial relationship with the winning start-up. This is a great chance for Friends of the Earth to build and nurture links with the UK’s entrepreneurial community,” Simon Phillips, head of technology and infrastructure at Friends of the Earth said.

https://youtu.be/sdw5e8MPobI

For more than 40 years, Friends of the Earth has championed solutions to environmental problems, putting the wellbeing of people and planet hand in hand. The organisation’s first action in 1971 was to dump 1,500 non-returnable bottles outside the Schweppes London headquarters, to promote re-use. Since then, the organisation has hit major milestones, including drumming up support for green energy, doorstep recycling, and winning the world’s first climate change law.

To qualify for a chance of winning, candidates need to complete a simple questionnaire. Applications closes on 11 December, and shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their business to a panel of judges in January 2017. The residency is supported by HubbleHQ, the online marketplace that connects startups and other small businesses with those who have space to rent out.