Two years ago, a very successful project called Tak£500 awarded 66 different community organisations funding to the tune of £33,000, allowing them to deliver some wonderful projects to benefit their local residents.
This project is now back for 2022 – and the support is even bigger and better than ever! Called Tak£500+ Participatory Budget Fund, community groups within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area can now receive up to £1000 for a project that they think will have a positive impact on their community!
So, if you have an idea in mind of something that would bring value to your area and support your community, especially in these increasingly difficult times, look no further!
So how does it work? A Participatory Budgeting initiative 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 to help bring an idea to life. Ideas can be based on the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing – which are a great guide to helping you to look after yourself and others during these uncertain days, including keeping you connected to the people around you and encouraging communities to lean on each other.
To help you with stage one of the process and filling in the initial application form, there are a number of information sessions taking place both in person and online:
Monday 17th October, 7pm – 8pm: Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre
Monday 17th October, 7pm – 8pm: Chamber at the Palace Demesne, Armagh
Wednesday 19th October, 10am – 11am: Online via Zoom
Wednesday 26th October, 7pm – 8pm: Banbridge Leisure Centre
Stage one is where you fill out the application form and send it in. If you meet the simple criteria, you will then move onto Stage Two, where you will be asked to attend the Market Stall and Decision-Making Event.
Groups will be asked to showcase their idea to the community by putting together a ‘market stall’ detailing their idea and asking for support. Everyone aged eight and over can then vote to support the project ideas they want to see happen.
The projects with the most public votes will be awarded up to £1000 to make their idea happen!
“I am absolutely delighted that we are able to deliver Tak£500+ as it is a fantastic way for our local communities to really take ownership of their areas and to secure funding for projects that they want to see happening on their doorsteps,” commented the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Paul Greenfield.
“The last campaign was a resounding success and to be able to do it again this year, with more money available to local groups is brilliant. I know that many people within our communities have some amazing ideas that will have a positive impact on their area and this initiative allows them the possibility of bringing these ideas to life!”
Colette Rogers from Public Health Agency and Chair of the Community Planning Strategic Partnership said “ABC Community Planning Partnership is committed to delivering Participatory Budgeting as a way for local people to make decisions about how public money is spent. We are delighted to be running Tak£500+ and I want to thank all the community, voluntary and statutory partners who have worked together to make this project happen again.”
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.
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.
It has also been supported by the Community and Voluntary Panel, the Business Partnership, the Department for Communities.
If you need more information or support, please contact a member of PB Working Group. Full contact details are online at www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/TAKE500plus or alternatively, you can email
