A final event celebrating the success of Tak£500+ Participatory Budgeting Programme, which has seen 81 projects delivered, was held in Craigavon Civic Centre on Wednesday 14 June.
The Tak£500+ Participatory Budgeting Programme was made possible by ABC Community Planning Partners pooling budgets together, which is managed by the Participatory Budgeting Working Group. This is the second year of the programme and communities were able to apply for up to £1000 with the local residents being given the opportunity to decide how public funds could be used to help benefit their areas.
The community planning partnership aimed to increase opportunities for everyone to have a meaningful say in decisions that affect their lives and anyone aged 8+ could cast a vote!
The programme contributed to the promotion of the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing, as project ideas had to be based around the theme to help maintain and improve wellbeing on a daily basis.
Speaking at the Celebration Event, Lord Mayor Alderman Margaret Tinsley said:
“A massive congratulations to everyone involved! I am delighted to see so many residents getting involved with over 3,500 votes for projects and an amazing 81 projects received funding to develop their wonderful ideas and to make them become a reality whilst leaving a little legacy for our local community.”
Projects stretched over the entire borough and brought communities together through a variety of ideas including public gardens, sporting activities for all ages, training programmes, intergenerational projects, helping those with additional needs, supporting emotional wellbeing, weaving and so much more!
Speaking at the event Donna Stewart from Craigavon Banbridge Volunteer Bureau and the Community Planning Partnership, thanked everyone for coming along to celebrate the success of the amazing projects that were delivered over the last 6 months. She also thanked the participatory Budgeting working group for all their support and help to each of the groups and said a massive well done to all groups that took part.
The Tak£500+ Participatory Budgeting Programme has played an important role in providing opportunities to bring people and communities together by groups gaining new members, supporters and collaboration of new partners in the work they have done within the community.
