 Social Bike Business Program ¤ BUDAPEST
Learn all about it! Partner with us!
Social Bike Business Program is coming to Budapest! This innovative program will establish a neighborhood center that brings transportation bicycling into the lives of disadvantaged residents of Budapest – spearheaded by the Hungarian Cyclists’ Club and Hungarian Young Greens.
The Social Bike Business concept was originated by One Street, an international non-profit organization based in Arizona, USA. Included in the concept is the establishment of a bicycle manufacturing operation, a Social Bike Community Center, a job training program targeting socially marginalized people, social bike shop(s), and last but not least affordable transportation bicycles.
Practically speaking, what is the plan?
The plan is to create a Community Center, which provides a (bike) cultural space, and includes also classrooms for the training program, bike repair area and small office. Ideally, a large enough facility will include the manufacturing space and bike shop. We are currently looking for a suitable space in the 8th District, easily accessible and welcoming to socially marginalized people. Also at this early stage we are seeking funding as well as logistical and in-kind support to ensure a successful launch of the Social Bike Community Center. Even without seed funding we have already begun these crucial steps for launching the program:
· Developing a coordinating team and network of participants and partners
· Devising the training program and preparing the curriculum – includes job training certification
· Creating materials and securing basic equipment
· Securing a space and setting up the Social Bike Community Center
Some more detail…..
The Social Bike Business program couples the principle of social business with the for-profit structure, yet serving in first place the needs of socially marginalized people. The program entails a local training center that trains and employs impoverished locals to design, manufacture and distribute affordable, quality transportation bicycles to people in need. This involves a qualifying process of individuals entering the program, to make sure that they are in need and also will have the commitment to complete the program. Most of this distribution is done through social bike shops established by the program in the target neighborhoods. These bike shops are owned by locals who have been trained in bicycle business management at the center. Currently a Social Bike Business Program is being set up in Los Angeles, USA, while the first steps of the program are also being made in Prague, Czech Republic.
¤ Please read on to discover our plans – stage by stage! ¤
The first stage is the crucial one where we go beyond the initial planning and brainstorming phases, and get into actual work, laying the foundations for the development of the center and the program. With the initial hurdles of Stage 1 completed, Stages 2 and 3 will readily build on Stage 1.
Stage 1 – Laying the foundations
· Develop partnerships
· Secure a location
· Work out concrete plans and designs
· Business plan development
· Job training curriculum development
· Writing funding proposals for the next stages
In order to fully launch the first stage we have already gathered a core team of people who are enthusiastic about coordinating and further developing the program. We are now at a planning stage and conducting field research on potential locations.
Estimated needs: 35,000 Euros, plus donation of facility (or funding to pay for facility)
Stage 2 – Setting up the Social Bike Community Center
· Reception area featuring interactive educational displays and exhibits
· Classroom space with seating to accommodate up to 30 students
· Setup of initial workshop curriculum, including job training certification
· Small office/administration area
· Bicycle repair training stations including tools, electronics and training materials
· Upgrading the center: waste-free, public art, recycle bike parts
Estimated needs: 40,000 Euros
Stage 3 – Expanding to include manufacturing
Once we have the center up and running, the training program in full gear and the center brimming with life, we can expand the operations to include bike manufacturing. Provided our initial space is large enough, we will only need to fully outfit the manufacturing area.
· Social bike prototype completed with guidance from existing manufacturers
· Fully equipped bike manufacturing and repair space
· Expanded curriculum (manufacturing, jobs access, bike business owner training)
· Development of bicycle museum
· Expansion of activities into rural parts of Hungary
Estimated needs: 30,000 Euros
What next?
We will be happy to further discuss this exciting program with you, and we are open to your input. The success of this program will depend on finding backers who are able to catch the vision and would like to support our efforts. We are open to the further direct involvement of interested parties!
About us:
International coordination:
One Street (www.onestreet.org)
Budapest Social Bike Business Program coordination:
Hungarian Young Greens (www.zofi.hu)
Further organizational support:
Cycling Alliance Hungary (www.kmsz.hu)
Hungarian Cyclists’ Club (www.kerekparosklub.hu)
Periferia Foundation (www.periferiaalapitvany.hu)
Contact: Justin Hyatt, (+36)203859244, justin{at}zofi.hu and Kristóf Szabó (+36 302919975)
|
