A new social network which connects volunteers to each other and local projects has launched.

The social network, ivo, follows a successful pilot, known as i-volunteeer, which ran for 18 months.

To mark its launch ivo is giving away £1,000 in a competition to fund events that bring people together to change something in their community, with the winners being announced in Volunteers’ Week 2012.

Founder and CEO, Jamie Ward-Smith said, “Volunteering, social action, community involvement - whatever you choose to call it, it's essentially about changing things for the better. And all the evidence says that the best way get people involved is through personal networks and contacts. ivo makes it simple for this to happen in a big way, connecting people who want to change their world with others who have a similar interest.”