Belfast City Council: Bank of Ideas

Overview

What is the Bank of Ideas?

Do you have an idea for something creative you’d like to make happen in your local area? This could be an interest you’d like to share, something you’d like to change with the help of your neighbours, or any fun activity that brings people together.

By submitting and sharing your idea, you can be in with a chance to get up to £2,000 to make it happen!

Lots of things can be creative. That includes recycling, baking, walking, stamp collecting, gardening, skateboarding, sewing, cutting hair, telling stories, caring for others, music, movies, nail art, teaching languages, bird watching, hopscotching and more…

The Bank of Ideas is run through participatory budgeting, which means that residents decide how public funds are used in their area. Individuals and groups can submit their creative idea for funding and the people of Belfast vote for projects they want to support at a voting event.

The overall Bank of Ideas funding pot is £50,000, which will be divided evenly between North, South, East, West Belfast and the city centre or citywide projects.

• A minimum of 25 projects will be funded, each receiving up to £2000.
• There is a short and simple form to fill out for your idea.
• There will be a final celebration event bringing together all projects in December 2025.

What is PB?

PB gives residents a direct say in the decisions that affect them. It helps generate new ideas, strengthens community spirit, and directs funding to where Belfast residents think it'll make the most difference. With PB, it's you who decide which projects get funded.

They'll check that the project can be delivered safely, that it is legal and feasible to do in the timeframe and for the money. However, it will be up to your local community to decide which projects are funded; not the Council!

How to Get Involved

If you and your friends, neighbours, school or organised group have an idea for a creative idea then send it in to the Bank!

They want to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved. You don't have to be a big community group or have done anything like this before to submit your project idea. Join them at an idea generating session(External link) in your area and they'll help you develop your idea.

The form is simple and straightforward. The next stage involves a Voting Day in City Hall on Sunday 29th June, where you'll present your idea to voters at a stall. There’s lots of ways to get creative in presenting your idea - you could draw it, make a sample or mini version, tell the story of your idea.

As a condition of your funding you will be required to take part in a celebration event in December 2025.

But don't worry, they'll be there to help throughout this process.

If you have an idea or want to learn more, please click on the information links provided (you'll find these on the right-hand side of this page or by scrolling to bottom of the page).

Please note - if you received funding previously, you can’t submit the same idea. However, you may submit an application for a new idea.