smartglasses blind google impact challenge
Smartglasses to improve the lives of blind people are among the finalist projects in Google's Impact Challenge  RNIB

Ten UK-based charities have been selected as finalists in Google's £3.2 million Impact Challenge, a competition that encourages "world-changing" ideas through innovative technology.

The finalists include projects to tackle malaria through the use of acoustic sensors, enhance the sight of the blind through smartglasses, prevent youth homelessness through data analysis and improve mental health through gaming.

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Each of the projects are now part of a public vote to decide four winners that will each receive a grant of £500,000 to develop their ideas.

"After an inspiring process, we've unearthed ten exceptional projects from ten exceptional charities," said entrepreneur and Impact Challenge judge Peter Jones. "Google's Impact Challenge shows that innovation is crucial to success. You can't stand still.

"I'm thrilled to be a part of the Challenge, and call on everyone to vote and learn more about these amazing causes and their projects."

Winners will be announced at Google's UK headquarters on 31 July. As well as the grant, each will also receive mentorship and training from Google and the charity Nesta.

The 10 finalists competing in the public vote are Centrepoint, the Foundation and Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, Carr Gomm, We Are What We Do, Cafedirect Producers' Foundation, Virunga Foundation, Catch 22, Relate and the St Giles Trust.

"This challenge shines a light on just how many charities are already doing great things with technology to address some of our most pressing challenges," said Helen Goulden, Impact Challenge judge and an executive director at Nesta.

"We're hugely excited by the 10 finalists who've made it to this stage, there are some fantastic projects in the running – now it's up to the public to decide who should be the grand prize winners."

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