Digital Jersey has appointed a not-for-profit organisation to help design a £20 million Technology Accelerator Programme.

Social enterprise Challenge Works will work on the island's government-funded programme aimed a driving economic growth.

The programme will use innovations to help solve economic, environmental and social issues.

Digital Jersey CEO Tony Moretta says it will put the island on the map as the talented, diverse and ambitious community.

"This is an extremely exciting time for us in Jersey.

The Programme we are building – in partnership with the team at Challenge Works – will impact the whole island, opening the doors to a more prosperous and productive future.

Jersey is abundant in entrepreneurial ambition, and Challenge Works will help us to design a programme that understands and utilises all this potential, putting our island on the map as the talented, diverse and ambitious community we are.”

Plans for the programme were announced in March, under the previous government.

Digital Jersey says Challenge Works (formerly Nesta Challenges) has been appointed following a competitive procurement process.

Challenge Works says it will  design 'a programme that delivers real, tangible value for Jersey’s businesses, residents, and the wider economy.'

The team is in Jersey this week to start work.

Deputy Alex Curtis, Assistant Chief Minister with responsibility for digital technology says the programme can help reduce dependence on a single sector and find digital solutions to the island's challenges.

“It is crucial that the Technology Accelerator Programme is designed appropriately with robust governance, and in line with strategic aims to ensure it delivers the benefits islanders expect it to for Jersey.”