Nominet Trust, the digital technology social investor, has announced the results of its new funding round, totalling in excess of £2m.

The investment, which will be distributed across 13 projects and a number of partnerships, is the organisation’s largest single funding round to date.

In addition to partnerships with organisations including the Design Council and the School for Social Entrepreneurs, the projects include:

• ‘Comparefutures’, a new resource from the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, which will allow users to compare the educational, employment and personal circumstances of young adults in every neighbourhood across England and tailor interventions accordingly.
• ‘RadioActive’, a scheme from the University of East London which will use internet-based community radio and social media to engage with and try to increase the employability of disadvantaged and disaffected young people.
• ‘Getting Digital Public Services Right Where It Matters Most’, a project from the Policy Exchange, which will look at how to improve the delivery of effective digital public services to disadvantaged individuals.
• ‘Tyze Personal Networks’, personal and private online networks for older people and care-givers. These networks coordinate care and are designed to contribute to improved health and social outcomes and to save money and time.

As well as funding, Nominet Trust provides projects with a range of ongoing business planning and communications support. Its so-called ‘Funder +’ approach is part of what Nominet describes as its “commitment to ensuring that each project realises its full potential and can make a significant difference to the greatest number of people”.

Annika Small, Nominet Trust CEO, commented: “Whether it’s connecting with our disaffected youth or ensuring vulnerable older people aren’t disenfranchised - at a time when the race is on to re-engage everyone in building an inclusive, more equal and economically viable society - it is essential that we find new, more effective approaches to addressing these persistent social and economic challenges. 

“The projects in this quarter’s funding cohort not only address these issues head-on, but more importantly they also provide new solutions– something today’s society desperately needs.”

Since it was established in 2008, Nominet Trust has invested more than £10m in over digital technology 170 projects, all aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged, vulnerable people and strengthening communities.

The organisation is currently interested in receiving applications that support both younger and older people and their communities. The deadline for the next funding round is 1 June 2012 and first stage applications should be made online.