We live in a global village; new endeavors may be hatched in a living room in Monsey and brought to fruition in Jerusalem. Or a California foundation funds an innovative and new project in Buenos Aires or London. As we have learned from Thomas Friedman, we are no strangers to a flat world. And on this flattened Earth, borders recede and people are interconnected through commerce and communication. The Jewish people – no strangers to international connections – exemplifies this global trend.

For those who may wish to consider joining this global trend or building new bridges in the U.K., we post in full today’s press release from our friends at the Clore Duffield Foundation.

Following the successful launch of Round 1 of Sparks: The Clore Jewish Development Fund in 2007, the Clore Duffield Foundation is now accepting applications for Round 2. The Fund is a national initiative to support Jewish communities outside London, created by the Clore Duffield Foundation. The Foundation is the founder of the Jewish Community Centre for London, a non-religious community centre inspired by similar centres in the USA and Europe. Sparks celebrates the creation of the capital’s first JCC and mirrors its ambitions and ethos. If you have a great idea for a project that would enhance the Jewish life of your local community, we could be backing it with up to £20,000. The total fund available each year is £100,000.

Grants will be available to fund innovative cultural, educational and community development projects including events, outreach, interfaith activity and capacity building programmes. Applicants are encouraged to approach this funding opportunity in creative and imaginative ways. Professional, non-professional and community organisations are welcome to apply. We are open to applications from non-Jewish organisations if projects fall within our criteria. You need to be a registered charity, a limited company or school to apply – or find a partner who falls into one of these categories. Other organisations may be exempt, so check the criteria on our website carefully.

The Fund will accept applications once each year. It is now open to applications and the closing date is 30 April 2008. We would like you to come to us with clearly thought-through ideas for projects. Do you have a great idea already? If so, check our criteria carefully to see if you are eligible. If you are looking for inspiration, go to the JCC for London’s website www.jewishcommunitycentre.org.uk to see this season’s initiatives and the kind of projects we might be interested in funding.

Full criteria, a simple application form and guidance notes will be available on the Foundation’s website: www.cloreduffield.org.uk

about: The Clore Foundation was founded in 1964 by the late Sir Charles Clore, one of Britain’s most successful post-war businessmen and one of the most generous philanthropists of his day. After Sir Charles’ death in 1979, his daughter, Vivien Duffield, assumed the Chairmanship of the Foundation and created her own Foundation in 1987 with the aim of continuing and consolidating her family’s history of philanthropy. The two Foundations were merged in 2000 to become the Clore Duffield Foundation, which is chaired by Dame Vivien Duffield DBE

This post is part of a series focusing on new Jewish innovation in the U.K.