Using this grant to set up a Mirlo company in Europe

Projects Mirlo
1

Hey all! We at Mirlo US are wondering if there’s folks interested in using this grant to set up a legal entity and build out a European Mirlo instance:

Technically you’d have all the support from us, but we can’t really help with the grant application or the admin of setting up an entity.

4 Likes
2

Thank you @simon, this is a very interesting proposal! So the question is: who wants to create a Mirlo Europe type of organization?

In other life circumstances I might give it a shot, but not now. (*) But if someone wants to try and use this platform for collaboration, I’m happy to give a hand.

About this grant, which is presented as an award.

  • The goal is “to provide support for the developments or initiatives focused on action in terms of digital commons and rights”. The examples given point to digital rights and public advocacy, including also a “surprise us” point. The first question to answer is how a Mirlo Europe would contribute to that.
  • XNET ("Institute for the Democratic Digitalization) probably provides the brain, the edge, the perspective. I really like them, they have been doing good work and good communication consistently for years.
  • I might be wrong, but Fundació .cat maybe provides more the muscle and infrastructure.
  • Both organizations are based in Barcelona, where the conference where these awards will be given takes place. If they would want to organize a local / national award they wouldn’t need all this multilingual display, but there is that.

They have made applying very easy (an easy first step for a 15k award). The application by May 18 seems to be “just” a first filter. Then strong filter is the interview in July for those moving to the next stage. Only two proposals will be awarded.

The toughest question still is: who wants to create Mirlo Europe?

If someone has a plan, then this award offers a timeline for concrete steps. There might be other economic incentives from local, regional or European programs, but grants can only be an incentive, not the reason to create a long-term project.

(*) Fun fact, I was a co-founder of a cooperative in Barcelona and we had one of the first music shop online. It was connected to a brick and mortar shop and we sold actual CDs, vinyls… Napster didn’t exist yet, leave alone anything selling or streaming music natively digital.

3 Likes
3

This is a very tempting opportunity. Two times 15.000€ is not a lot, but also not a little to start things out. I’m unfortunately with a completely full plate (with food falling off already). I hope somebody takes this up.

2 Likes
4

This grant has two awards for two different projects of 15.000€ each. 90% given when the prize is awarded, 10% at the end of the project agreed.

There is a bit (and just a bit) of discussion here:

5

I’ve too much on to be the key person on this, but can lend a hand here and there. I’ve a bunch of experience with grant-writing, but dunno if it complicates things I’m based in UK. I am an EU (Irish) citizen though.

6

Are there networks people think would be interested in moving this forward?