Our work splits broadly into two phases. The first phase is to gather ideas, and the second consists of building real projects based on the best ones. Over the next few weeks we will gather ideas, and create a 'long list' of the best. In late November, we will pick two projects as winners. The second phase of the project consists of taking these winning ideas, seeking funding for them and building development teams to deliver them.

mySociety.org will support projects that have three broad attributes:
1 Founded on electronic networks. This includes the internet, mobile and telephone networks, wireless, fax and anything related.

2 Real world impact. The projects must have an impact which is above and beyond helping users to use their computers or mobiles more efficiently. We understand that there is a degree of philosophical ambiguity here (isn't faster browsing a real life impact?), so we've developed the following list of desirable outcomes from projects.

3 Increased social capital, preferably bridging between groups.

Reduced social exclusion

Improved human capital and employment prospects

Decreased occurrence of common social problems

NB Projects are not limited to these outcomes - if you've got something good which doesn't fit in here, please let us know anyway.

Low or zero cost scalability. This is key. We are looking for projects that cost the same (or virtually the same) to run for ten or a million users. This doesn't exclude the possibility of SMS based services, but it does rule out one-on-one tuition or building a site just for your community.

Other Lower Priority Attributes That Would Be Nice

Development Community. The possibility that projects will attract self sustaining development communities.

Low maintenance. Projects that are as reliable as a trusty screwdriver are desirable. Simple tools than can go online and never be thought about again will have an advantage at the early stages of MySociety.org. Again, this isn't a hard and fast rule, just a project reality at this stage.