Belfast City Council: Move more and Eat well
Overview
Earlier this year, the Active Belfast Partnership(External link) took forward their first Participatory Budgeting (PB) pilot exercise in Belfast.
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 our residents think it'll make the most difference. With PB, it's you - our residents - who decide which projects get funded.
You - the residents - will decide which projects will be funded. If their PB pilot works well, then the Belfast Community Planning Partners and Belfast City Council may do other PB in the future.
The theme for their first PB was: “Move more and eat well - to feel better”
They're continuing that theme and giving local groups the chance to apply for a share of the PB funding to deliver projects that they think will benefit people in their area.
As long as your project idea contributes to this theme you can put in an application. Groups can apply for funding up to £2,500, and if successful you will have around 6 months to deliver your project.
They'll check that the project can be delivered safely, that it is legal and feasible to do in the stated timeframe and for the money. However, it will be up to your local community to decide which projects are funded; not us!
How to Get Involved
If you and your friends, neighbours, school or organised group have an idea for a project that will help people to “Move more and eat well - to feel better” then submit an application when it opens in February and, if people in your area agree that its a good idea, then you'll get funded.
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 make an application and pitch your project idea.
The application form will be as simple and straightforward as they can make it. There won't be complicated forms to fill out or processes to follow. However, you will need to "pitch" your ideas to your local community at one of the in-person decision-making events. This will be run using the 'market stall' approach - where people visit your stall and learn more about each project before casting their votes.
They will help you through this process.
If you have an idea or want to learn more, please click on the information links on the webpage. They also have a team of people ready to answer any questions and give advice. To speak to a person about your idea or the PB process, please go to their "Help and Advice" page where you will find a list of contacts.
Who can apply?
PB is open to everyone who will benefit in the Belfast City Council area. You do not need to be part of an existing group or organisation to apply for funding. As long as there two or more of you and you have a good idea for a project, you can come together, make an application and pitch your idea. Under 18's can also apply providing a responsible adult or organisation sponsors you. Local people in your area will vote for the projects they think are the best.
Eligibility
- Both Constituted and non-constituted groups can apply
- Non-constituted groups will require a sponsor organisation (get in touch if you need help with this)
- Any groups of young people under the age of 18 will need a sponsor to support them through the process
- A maximum of two applications can be received from groups from within any one organisation
- Groups must contain a minimum of 2 or more people
Sponsor organisations can apply in their own right whilst also offering sponsorship to smaller non-constituted groups.
What type of things can be funded?
You can apply for up to £2,500 to pay for things such as events, venue hire, transport for trips, workshops, tutors, performers, specialist facilitator, online activities, funding for awareness campaigns or for equipment for projects e.g. cooking equipment, sports kits, outdoor gym equipment and other innovative ideas or events.
Do project ideas need to meet certain criteria?
All project ideas must be based around 'Moving More' and 'Eating Well' to feel better. As long as you can demonstrate how your idea will benefit people in one or both of these ways, your project will be considered.
They will check that your project can be delivered safely and legally within the timeframe and for your budget. If they do need to clarify anything, they'll contact you and work with you as best we can to ensure your project can go to the decision making stage.
Criteria
- Safe
- Legal
- Feasible within the timeframe and budget
- In keeping with the theme of “Move more, eat well” either one or both parts
- Benefit people within the Belfast City Council area
- Attendance at the Celebration event in Autumn 2023 to share positive impact that has been achieved.
If your unsure whether your project would meet the following criteria, then we'd encourage you to contact the Active Belfast Team or one of the local area PB coordinators for advice.
Is the PB funding for all areas of Belfast?
They are running four PB projects across the city, one each in North, South, East and West Belfast. The table below shows how the council's Local Area Working Groups are set up using the official Electoral Areas of Belfast. However, this is provided as a guide only. You can decide which area your project fits under best. When submitting an application, you will be asked to choose which area of the city they want to apply to. That will determine which area voting event you attend.
North
Castle
- Bellevue
- Cavehill
- Chichester Park
- Duncairn
- Fortwilliam
- Innisfayle
Oldpark
- Ardoyne
- Ballysillan
- Cliftonville
- Legoniel
- New Lodge
- Water Works
South
Balmoral
- Belvoir
- Finaghy
- Malone
- Musgrave
- Upper Malone
Botanic
- Blackstaff
- Central
- Ormeau
- Stranmillis
- Windsor
East
Lisnasharragh
- Cregagh
- Hillfoot
- Merok
- Orangefield
- Ravenhill
- Rosetta
Ormiston
- Belmont
- Garnerville
- Gilnahirk
- Knock
- Sandown
- Shandon
- Stormont
Titanic
- Ballymacarrett
- Beersbridge
- Bloomfield
- Connswater
- Sydenham
- Woodstock
West
Black Mountain
- Andersonstown
- Ballymurphy
- Beechmount
- Colin Glen
- Falls Park
- Shaw’s Road
- Turf Lodge
Collin
- Dunmurry
- Ladybrook
- Lagmore
- Poleglass
- Stewartstown
- Twinbrook
Court
- Ballygomartin
- Clonard
- Falls
- Forth River
- Shankill
- Woodvale
What type of things can be funded?
You can apply for up to £1000 to pay for things such as events, venue hire, transport for trips, workshops, tutors, performers, specialist facilitator, online activities, funding for awareness campaigns or for equipment for projects e.g. cooking equipment, sports kits, outdoor gym equipment and other innovative ideas or events.
Unfortunately, there are things they can’t fund such as Utility costs, core salary costs, commercial events, purchase of alcohol, political activities, religious activities, memorials, inflatables, fireworks will not be funded If you are unsure, please contact them.
How does the voting work?
Voting will take place online.
All the projects seeking funding will provide a user-friendly summary explaining what their project will do and how it will benefit residents.
Residents then vote for the projects they'd like to see happen in their area.
Residents must vote for more than one project. They'll be given a set number of votes, and must use all of them for their vote to count. They cannot put all or more than one vote toward a single project.
You can vote once for your own project but you must also use your full allocation of votes and choose other projects too. Otherwise, your vote won't count!
The projects with the most public votes will be awarded up to £2,500 to make their idea happen.
The exact number of votes and winning projects will depend on how many applications are received.
Voting will take place in February 2024.