FOI - Design Future London [Feb 2023]

This is an information request relating to the 2023 Design Future London Schools Challenge.

Please include the following information:

• What is the total budget for the Design Future London Schools Challenge?
• How much is being paid to Minecraft as part of this scheme?
• How much did it cost specifically to create the Mayor as a “non-player character”
• What are the key performance indicators for this project?

Response

Our response to your request is as follows:

What is the total budget for the Design Future London Schools Challenge?

This programme does not carry its own budget, but is funded through a variety of different programs. 

In respect of the Minecraft element of the challenge, the vast majority of the costs have been funded by Microsoft through their Minecraft Education program in partnership with C40.  However to make this accessible to all schools in London, the Mayor has paid a third party, to manage the licensing arrangements.  The cost of this is £70,000.

How much is being paid to Minecraft as part of this scheme?

£0 – Minecraft are providing the resource for free through their partnership with C40

How much did it cost specifically to create the Mayor as a “non-player character”?

The cost to the Mayor and GLA was £0.  We do not know the cost of this to Minecraft, the supplier in this case.

What are the key performance indicators for this project?

The Minecraft project itself does not have KPIs, however as part of the Design Future London Project which has as a KPI:

1. Take up of Materials by 25% of eligible schools across London
2. Making a more diverse future workforce