We’re very excited to tell you about our new micro-funding project – SOUP! This year the theme is getting people in Portsmouth and Southampton up and moving! We’re inviting you to come up with a project which could help your community become more active. If you’re the pitch receiving the most votes you could receive over £500 to deliver it.
The sky’s the limit here – it can be anything from circus skills to nature walks in the park, street dancing or parent and baby yoga.
What is SOUP?
We’ve partnered with Active Portsmouth Alliance and Southampton Place Partnership to deliver this project which has been inspired by the Detroit Soup model. A SOUP (Supporting Our Urban Projects) event is a community-powered event where people come together, share a meal (soup), and vote on the idea they want to see come to life. In a nutshell, SOUP is a chance to meet, pitch, eat and vote.
Think of SOUP as a socially focused crowdfunding project, in which members of the community pay a small entry fee in return for a bowl of soup – and the right to vote on one of a few local causes pitching to win the prize fund, which is the sum of the entry money and £500 to kick-start their idea.
Sounds interesting, how can I find out more?
Successful applicants will receive mentoring with Action Hampshire’s SOUP expert Keith McAllister who has been training social entrepreneurs for over 10 years. Then with our continued support you’ll take the floor and pitch your idea at a local SOUP event!
How do I apply to join the project?
You can make an application here. Check our Guidance Notes to help you complete it.
The deadline for applications is 27 May 2025.
Follow this link to complete the SOUP Funding Application Form
Come along and meet, eat, listen and vote!
Enjoy the fun and support your friends, family and community! You will listen to 4, 4 minute pitches followed by 4 questions and you’ll receive a bowl of soup whilst you mull over the ideas and cast your vote. It’s a great night out and the perfect opportunity to network, socialise and help make a difference.
Here are our SOUP event dates
Monday, 16 June, 18:00 to 20:30
URBOND, Commercial Road, Portsmouth book your ticket
Wednesday, 18 June, 18:00 to 20:30
Thornhill Baptist Church, Southampton book your ticket
Thursday, 19 June, 18:00 to 20:30
MPS Mansel Park Pavilion, Southampton book your ticket
Want to know more?
Follow this link to see pictures and read about our last event
Listen to Awaaz radio interview with Keith (see below)
