COMMUNITY groups and local organisations will be vying for each other's support at a micro-funding event aimed at sparking entrepreneurial spirit.

The second “Durham Soup” event takes place in Gilesgate this week, which is aimed at bringing together businesses, community groups and grassroots organisations from the area to share ideas and make connections.

Paul Drury-Bradey, who came up with the idea through his role as entrepreneur in residence at Durham University, said: “I’m hoping to activate a new way of thinking about ideas and encouraging more collaboration between different community groups and getting students to work with charities and local people.

The Northern Echo:

The next Durham Soup event takes place at the Old Cinema Laundrette, in Gilesgate, on Thursday

“One of the exciting things to come out of the last event was some of the new connections. We had people from the foodbank in Durham who had never met anyone from the university fashion show, who raise thousands of pounds for charity each year and we had a student setting up a music festival who didn’t know about the grassroots music going on in the city."

He added: "It's been really positive so far. I think what's exciting is local people have wanted to be involved."

Based on a scheme which started in the US, each event in Durham will see people pitch their ideas to a room full of other members of the public in a bid to win £100.

The first event, which took place last month, saw Beano Flude, from RT Projects, a Gilesgate-based arts group which works with people to help them improve their mental health, walk away with the cash.

The second event takes place on Thursday at the Old Cinema Launderette, in Marshall Terrace, Sunderland Road, when there will be seven pitches, each lasting seven minutes.

Mr Drury-Bradey added: “After a couple of questions the audience will democratically decide who wins the funding - although, it’s really more about collaboration, community and new connections."

It starts at 6.30pm and tickets are £2.50, which includes food.