Intercultural Roots Receives £100,000 Innovate UK Grant for EcoGPX® Initiative

COVENTRY, U.K. - July 3, 2024 - PRLog -- Intercultural Roots for Public Health, a not-for-profit charity dedicated to advancing arts for health and social change, has secured a significant £100,000 grant from Innovate UK, a part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to launch the EcoGPX® initiative in Coventry and Warwickshire. This groundbreaking project aims to tackle prevalent social and environmental challenges through collaborative efforts with local communities, setting a new benchmark for community engagement and sustainability practices.

From May to October 2024, EcoGPX® will deeply engage with communities in Coventry, Nuneaton, and Bedworth, identified as some of the UK's most economically deprived areas. The initiative will forge partnerships with local organisations, artists, and practitioners across creative, cultural, and ecological domains to foster positive impacts and promote sustainable development.

Maryam Safe, Creative Liaison Manager of EcoGPX®, emphasises the project's inclusive community engagement process, stating, "EcoGPX® (https://www.interculturalroots.org/project/ecogpx) reveals the diverse characteristics of Coventry, Nuneaton, and Bedworth by nurturing both established and emerging relationships. Coventry, known for its confluence of rivers and cultural diversity, serves as a vibrant backdrop where ancient traditions converge with contemporary aspirations. We are privileged to provide a platform through EcoGPX® for communities across these regions, deeply listening to the city's heartbeat through a felt-sensed approach. During the residency period, we will collaborate with local artists, leveraging an eco-arts lens to authentically address the needs and aspirations of its people and places."

Ben Spatz, EcoGPX® Creative Director and Reader in Media and Performance at the University of Huddersfield, underscores the project's innovative digital tools, designed to bridge communal divides. "While many digital apps explore place-based relationships, they often assume users operate in isolation. EcoGPX® builds upon Intercultural Roots' pioneering work by developing new digital tools oriented towards community and social network integration."

Intercultural Roots aims to spotlight EcoGPX®'s success in Coventry and Warwickshire, aiming to inspire neighbouring organisations and local authorities. The project also seeks to extend sponsorship opportunities to businesses eager to embrace Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This initiative underscores the transformative impact of arts and culture in driving substantive change and advancing broader sustainability goals.

About Innovate UK (https://www.ukri.org/councils/innovate-uk/): 'Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is creating a better future by inspiring, involving, and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. We provide targeted sectors with expertise, facilities, and funding to test, demonstrate, and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth. Join our network and communities of innovators to realise the potential of your ideas and accelerate business growth. Innovate UK: inspiring business innovation.'