LEARNING AND EVALUATION REPORT
LEARNING AND EVALUATION SUMMARY
Tak£500+ Participatory Budgeting Celebration Event
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.
TAK£500+ Community campaign – the public has spoken!
For the last few months, communities from right across every corner of the borough have been putting forward ideas that they think will have a positive impact on their area – with over 100 applications in total coming through!
Three incredible events were then held at different venues across the borough where these groups came along to showcase their fantastic ideas, in the hope that members of the public would vote for them to receive funding to bring their ideas to life!
Overall, 3,500 votes were cast by you – residents of this borough – for your favourite projects. And an amazing 81 projects have received funding to the tune of over £75,000 to carry out their projects for the benefit of their communities!
This was all made possible through the ‘TAK£500+ Participatory Budget Fund’ – a project that has enabled local people to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area. Communities were able to apply for up to £1000, with local residents deciding which projects should go ahead!
The variety of successful projects is quite simply amazing and includes sporting activities for all ages, community gardens, intergenerational initiatives, projects to protect our industrial heritage and so much more!
“This the second year of the Tak£500+ Project and the response this time was even bigger and better,” commented the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Paul Greenfield.
“We were delighted to see so many residents getting involved – both with ideas for projects as well has coming out to cast their votes. The variety of ideas that were put forward and the reasons why were truly inspirational in how they will benefit communities. I can’t wait to see these projects coming to life over the next few months and seeing the impact they will have across the borough!”
All ideas were based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of Wellbeing’ – five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis.
For those that applied and didn’t receive funding on this occasion, the journey is far from over. The Participatory Budget Working Group will continue to support these groups to deliver their project in another way – and if this is not possible, to signpost them towards other funding streams and to assess additional support requirements.
This project is been taken forward by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Community Planning Partnership and has been funded by a range of partners including the Public Health Agency, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Sport NI, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Policing & Community Safety Partnership, Triangle Housing, Clanmil Housing and Ark Housing. ,
WHAT IS TAK£500+?
Tak£500+ is a Participatory Budgeting initiative which basically means that local people get to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area.
The application process is now closed and we are delighted to have received over 120 applications!
Communities from right across every corner of the borough have put forward ideas they think will have a positive impact on their area – and are in the running to receive up to £1000 to fund their project!
So what happens now?
MARKET STALL SHOWCASE EVENTS
There are three exciting Market Stall events taking place, where each applicant will showcase their idea and how it can benefit their community. All you (the public) have to do, is come along to an event, have a look at all the different ideas and vote for your favourites!
These events will be a fun day for all the family to enjoy, with lots of great activities for the children, spot prizes, and teas and coffees on hand while you check out all of the amazing community ideas!
The events will take place as follows:
- Saturday 14th January 2023 10.30am – 3.30pm: Armagh City Hotel
- Saturday 21st January2023 10.30am – 3.30pm: Banbridge Leisure Centre
- Saturday 28th January 2023 10.30am – 3.30pm: Craigavon Civic Centre
IS THERE A THEME FOR PROJECTS?
All ideas must be based around the ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’. These are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis, as detailed below:
CONNECT
With the people around you, family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and spend time developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.
BE ACTIVE
Go for a walk or run, cycle, play a game, garden or dance – even a short 10-minute walk can improve mental alertness and wellbeing.
TAKE NOTICE
Of the world around you, how you are feeling, what matters to you and reflect on your experiences.
KEEP LEARNING
Don’t be afraid to try something new, rediscover an old hobby or sign up for a course. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun.
GIVE
Do something nice for a friend or stranger, thank someone, smile, volunteer your time or consider joining a community group.
Thousands of people arrived at Armagh City Hotel last weekend for the first Tak£500+ Market Stall event! 38 community organisations were showing off their incredible project ideas and how they could benefit their local area, in the hope of receiving enough votes to secure up to £1000 funding! The day was hugely successful with over 2000 votes cast in total!
Another fantastic event took place in Banbridge Leisure Centre last weekend for the Tak£500+ project! Over 500 votes were cast and the support for the different community organisations was fantastic!
What a fantastic final event in Craigavon with 38 community groups coming along to showcase their ideas! Over 1500 votes were cast – watch this space to find out the results!
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
If you have any questions about applying for funding, would like more information or some help with your application, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by contacting a member of the PB working Group.
TAK£500+
YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR SAY, YOUR WAY!
Cost of Living Support
In these increasingly difficult times, Council are committed to supporting local communities through these uncertain and challenging times. See link to the key contacts and range of support that is available https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/costofliving
Project supported by:
