The deadline to express interest in the Meeting the Cuts and Big Society Challenge programme is this Friday, 19th Novemeber. You can find out how here.

Big is the new small it seems. Big cuts and big society spell big changes for the way that local government does business.

But how can local government best start to manage this change in relationship with local communities? I had a go at outlining my vision for how the social web can begin to be a part of the solution when I presented to chief executives and senior managers at this year’s Solace conference in Cardiff last month.

To help turn good words in action, we’re working with izweand Solace to launch our Meeting the Cuts and Big Society Challenge programme.

Through the programme, we will work closely with councils to explore what Big Society means for local government, supporting communities to idenify their own needs and work to build capacity and achieve the aspirations of those communities as a partnership, with a particular focus on the role of social innovation and social technology.

We’re looking to work with a small number of councils to look at how we can help them to adapt both their working culture, relationship with citizens and relationship with the web. The programme will focus on delivering improved outcomes and, yes, cost savings when it comes to local communications and engagement.

If you would like to be involved you’ll have to be quick. You only have until Friday to apply to take part in the programme. We’ll be running a free event in January for partners of this project – and everyone who applies will be invited to come along.