Communities encouraged to apply for funding for local projects

Do you think your idea could be turned into a project and brought to life?

If so, the ‘Tak£500’ Participatory Budget Fund which is led by Armagh, Banbridge Craigavon Community Planning Partnership could help that happen.

Communities can apply for up to £500 for a project that they think will benefit their area - and, it will be the local residents who decide which projects should go ahead. The Tak£500 is a Participatory Budgeting initiative, which basically means that local people get a direct say in how public funds are used to address local needs. Both constituted groups and non-constituted groups can apply for funding – and ideas must be based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of Wellbeing’. These are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis.

They are: ‘Connect’ with people around you; ‘Be Active’ in some way each day; ‘Take Notice’ of the world around you and how you are feeling; ‘Keep Learning’ by trying something new and ‘Give’ by doing something nice for someone else.

There must be a minimum of three people per group, and each group can only propose one idea. Children and young people aged eight and above can also form a group and apply for funding.

If your group is not constituted, you will need to be sponsored by a constituted group or organisation, as funds cannot be paid into a personal bank account. Those interested need to fill out an application form and if they meet the simple criteria you will then move on to the next round where they will be asked to submit a short video to showcase their project bid. This video will be hosted online and you will have the opportunity to get your community to rally behind you and vote for your project.

The projects with the most public votes will then be awarded £500 to make their initiative happen.

Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Cr Kevin Savage said: “I know that many people within our communities have brilliant ideas that will have a positive impact on their area and this initiative allows them the possibility of bringing these ideas to life.”

Those interested can attend one of the online information sessions which will be held via zoom. The next one will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at 10.30am followed by another on Tuesday, October 20, at 7.30pm. For more information contact a member of PB Working Group - details at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/TAKE500