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 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 your community, 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. All ideas must be based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of Wellbeing’, which are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis.

They are: ‘Connect’ with people around you; ‘Be Active’ in some way each day; ‘Take Notice’ of the world around you and how you are feeling; ‘Keep Learning’ by trying something new and ‘Give’ by doing something nice for someone else.

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 12th September, 7pm – 8pm: Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre. Register here.

Wednesday 14th September, 7pm – 8pm: Chamber at the Palace Demesne, Armagh. Register here.

Thursday 15th September, 7pm – 8pm: Banbridge Leisure Centre. Register here.

Tuesday 20th September, 10am – 11am: Online via Zoom. Register here.

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!

For more information please visit TAK£500+ - YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR SAY, YOUR WAY! - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk)