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The 725 ideas have garnered 80,000 votes and 1,500 comments. In addition, nearly 2,000 people have registered on the competition website, which has received 125,000 visits (60,000 unique users).

The idea that has generated most comments is the one entitled ASD Therapy Centre (with 112). The aim of creator, Rosa Serrano, is to create "a centre where families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in central Catalonia can receive information and have their queries answered". The second most commented-on idea is a gourmet beer stall to boost sales throughout the market (with 73). In the words of its creator, María Cristina Pérez, "the aim is to create a collaborative framework with the other market stalls to boost sales". These and many other innovative proposals have been registered at openminds.uoc.edu/plug in the eight thematic areas:

• Social Learning: 127 ideas
• Communication: 108
• Resources: 105
• Health: 100
• Wikieconomy: 83
• Urban Planning: 82
• Governance: 69
• Finances: 51

In the words of Eric Hauck, who is in charge of the competition and UOC Director of Communication, "we are very pleased with the competition's success. We have well surpassed our initial expectations and want to thank all those who took part for the enthusiasm they have shown. To obtain 700 proposals in less than a month is unprecedented. All the ideas are of the highest quality, whether those that are designed to raise awareness, mark a trend, break a habit, and rethink the economic model or the welfare state, or those that simply look to share and promote a entrepreneurial project to generate optimism and business opportunities. We have shown that, socially, we are facing a change in the trend, that riches are not to be found in banks, but in the creativity and drive of citizens. As a university, and even more so now than when we started, we have to showcase these ideas and offer them the chance to develop."

Votes

Popular votes can be cast until 30 May. The jury's verdict will be announced on 1 June. Pluggers who have submitted an idea to the website can also take part in a photography competition. The winning entry will receive an extra 300 votes.

Prize: 80,000 euros in training

The UOC&PLUGGED challenge will reward the best ideas and projects from entrepreneurs with nearly 80,000 euros in training.

Support from renowned leaders in social innovation

The initiative has received support from well-known leaders of social innovation including Beth Noveck, former leader of the White House Open Government Initiative; Derrick de Kerckhove, researcher and former director of the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology; Joan Melé, Assistant Director of Triodos Bank, Spain, and Vicente Guallart, Director of Urban Habitat and Chief Architect, Barcelona City Council.

Impact on the social networks

The UOC&PLUGGED Twitter account (@UOCMentsObertes) now has over 1,000 followers, and on this microblogging network alone the #UOCPLUG hashtag has already generated more than one and a half million impacts. It has around 400 'likes' on Facebook and the app designed for smartphones has now been downloaded by over 220 people.