Yoosk is adapted for use with overseas institutions

The Innovation Fund was designed to seed sustainable models for participation. Yoosk has proven that model by attracting further funding from 4IP, the Channel 4 initiative aimed at nurturing public service digital start ups and by winning contracts to apply its online dialogue software and expertise to a variety of contexts.

One of our recent projects, funded by the MoJ, was Yoosk Parliament , which has become an ongoing platform connecting MPs and the public. 

We are now going to apply the technology and lessons leant to a very different context: Vietnam. Yoosk's format will be adapted to pilot a platform for participation, specifically, dialogue between National Assembly deputies and the public. This project is being funded by the FCO.

At the signing ceremony for the new project, Dr. Nguyen Si Dzung, Vice Chair of Vietnam National Assembly Office, stated “the website will enable the participation of Vietnamese citizens in legislation, and, at the same time, strengthen the relationship between elected deputies and the public which is in line with the policies of the Vietnam Government”.

The joint announcement by the National Assembly and the British Embassy has received wide coverage in the Vietnamese press. The website will be launched in January 2010.

Here is what has been said about Yoosk Parliament in the UK:

"Yoosk's new parliament website is a brilliant example of the innovative ways people can now engage with local and central decision making online. "

Michael Wills MP, Minister for Democratic Engagement

''Yoosk offers a very open forum where both question and answer have a dynamic and an immediacy. It opens out the debate and shows just who is asking what of whom. It also tests us in public as to the quality of our answers - and I believe it is important (particularly in these times when we politicians are somewhat unloved) to be out there to show everyone that we do care and care passionately -  which is the reason that I am sure we all got into politics in the first place!"

Lynne Featherstone MP

 "Asking this question means that we are on Siôn's [Sion Simon MP, the Minister for Creative Industries] radar and he has been in touch to meet with us. This will enable us to influence, campaign, demand and highlight the digital injustice and discrimination we face."

Alison Smith, Disability Rights Campaigner