Tak£500+ Participatory Budgeting (PB) Fund 2025
Overview
After three very successful projects in 2020,2022 and 2024 Tak£500+ is now back for its fourth year!
Tak£500+ Participatory Budget Fund, 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 with the local people getting to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area.
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!
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 –
CONNECT - With the people around you.
BE ACTIVE – In some way each day.
TAKE NOTICE - Of the world around you, how you are feeling.
KEEP LEARNING – By trying something new.
GIVE – By doing something nice for someone else.
These 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.
Why your views matter
WHO CAN APPLY?
The fund is open to everyone from
- Both constituted groups and non-constituted groups can apply for funding.
- There must be a minimum of three people per group.
- Each group can apply for one project per area (Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon).
- Children and young people aged eight and above can also form a group and apply for funding. If you are under 18, you will need an Adult Sponsor to support your application and to help develop and deliver your idea. You will also need a parent or guardian to sign your application form (More details on this below).
- If your group is not constituted, you will need to be sponsored by a constituted group or organisation.
- In most circumstances one application can be submitted per group. The exception is for umbrella groups who have distinct groups/multiple year groupings within their organisation. For example a local sports club with junior/senior groups or a school with multiple year groupings. A maximum of two applications can be made from these groups who must make clear in their applications the distinct and different benefactors to each application.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
You can apply for up to £1000 to pay for things such as activities, equipment, events, tutors, venue hire and other innovative ideas.*
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.
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.
The Tak£500+ Working Group of community planning partners will review your ideas against the following criteria:
- Safe
- Legal
- Feasible within budget and timeframe
- Will benefit people in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough
- In line with one or more of the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing and in line with the overall ethos of Take 5.
Unfortunately, there are things we can’t fund such as personal payments, alcohol, political activities and things you are already funded to deliver. If you are unsure, please contact us.
STAGE ONE – ELIGIBILITY
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications will now open on Wednesday 30th April and close on Wednesday 4th June. You can find the Tak£500+ Guidance document at the bottom of this page.
Please complete the online form here, completed forms can be emailed to communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk. Hard copies will also be accepted by post to: Community Planning Office, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Civic Building, Downshire Road, Banbridge, BT32 3JY.
You can come along to any of our information sessions detailed below:
INFORMATION SESSIONS
You can come along to any of our information sessions detailed below:
- Thursday 1st May 2025, 7pm – 8pm: Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre
- Tuesday 6th May 2025, 7pm – 8pm: Chamber at the Civic Building, Banbridge
- Wednesday 7th May 2025, 7pm – 8pm: Chamber at Armagh Palace Demesne
Or join us online via zoom on the dates below:
- Friday 2nd May 2025, 10am – 11am
- Thursday 8th May 2025, 10am – 11am
- Thursday 8th May 2025, 2pm-3pm
- Tuesday 13th May 2025, 7pm – 8pm
To register to attend one of the above sessions please email communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk specifying which session you would like to attend.
Telephone support is also available by contacting a member of the Tak£500+ working group, details outlined below.
Applicants need to ensure that they demonstrate through the application process that their project fits within the themes and eligibility criteria. The Working Group’s decision is final.
Projects must be submitted by the application deadline midnight on Wednesday 4th June 2025, those submitted after the deadline will not be considered and deemed ineligible.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Your idea will be checked by the Tak£500+ Working Group to make sure that it meets the criteria – (safe, legal, feasible within budget and timeframe, Will benefit people in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, In line with one or more of the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing).
If you meet the simple criteria shown above, 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 vote to support the project ideas they want to see happen.
There will be three Market Stall and Decision Making Events and voting will take place in person at each event listed below:
Saturday 21st June 2025, 10:00am-2:00pm, Bannville Hotel, Banbridge
Saturday 28th June 2025, 10:00am-2:00pm, Armagh City Hotel
Saturday 5th July 2025, 10:00am- 2:00pm, Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre
Voters will be given a specified number of votes – you can vote for your own project but you must also use your full allocation of votes to choose other projects too. Otherwise, your vote will be null and void.
The projects with the most public votes will be awarded up to £1000 to make their idea happen!
Successful projects will be notified by a letter of offer as soon as possible after each Decision-Making event. Groups that are unsuccessful this time will get advice and support.
WHEN DO PROJECTS HAVE TO BE DELIVERED?
Successful projects have to be delivered by 31 December 2025 and you will also be required to attend a community celebration event in February 2026. At this event, you will be asked to deliver a two-minute presentation on how your project has benefitted your community. Please note, attendance at the celebration event is a condition of the funding.
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 Tak£500+ working Group.
INFORMATION ON SPONSORS
Adult Sponsors
If you are under 18 years old, we ask you to nominate an adult sponsor - someone who can help you develop and deliver your idea and overcome any problems you may encounter. Your sponsor could be a family member, friend, teacher or youth worker.
If you agree to be an adult sponsor you are agreeing to support the young person's application and give them any help and advice they may need to make their idea a success.
We are here to help throughout the funding period should you or the young person you are sponsoring need any help, advice or support.
|
Austin Kelly |
Clanmil Housing |
028 9087 6000/ 07711386882 |
|
Caoilin Boyle |
ABC Council |
07515607472 |
|
Chris Leech |
Craigavon Area Foodbank |
07866605027 |
|
Clive Bowles |
Portadown Rugby Football Club |
02838330295/ 07709166333 |
|
Elaine Devlin |
ABC Council |
07771794988 |
|
Emma O'Carroll |
ABC Council |
07385083814 |
|
Frances Haughey |
ABC Council |
07500772905 |
|
Jennie Dunlop |
ABC Council |
07795257261 |
|
Judith Meakin |
Arbour Housing |
judith@arbourhousing.org |
|
Patrice Mc Keown |
Arbour Housing |
patrice@arbourhousing.org |
|
Lynette Cooke |
ABC Council |
077721109759 |
|
Mark Doran |
ABC Council |
07502363534 |
|
Michelle Hazlett |
NIHE |
07771837356 |
|
Michelle Markey |
ABC Council |
Michelle.markey@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk |
|
Raquel Rodrigues Keenan |
Volunteer Now |
|
|
Sarah Cargill |
ABC Council-Heritage Places |
Sarah.cargill@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk |
|
Sophie Lester |
ABC Council |
07909004666 |
|
Simon Sloan |
DfC |
07760858088 |
|
Stephanie Rock |
ABC Council |
07825010630 |
|
Stephen Fields |
West Armagh Consortium |
07759949314 |
|
Tracey Powell |
SHSCT |
028 37564495 |
|
Vicki Titterington |
Linking Generations |
vicki@bjf.org.uk |
|
Michael Devine |
SHSCT |
|
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Dawn Vance |
DfC |
|
|
Stephen Harland |
Ark Housing |
Group Sponsors
If your group is not constituted, we ask you to name a constituted group or organisation who will sponsor your project, as funds cannot be paid into a personal bank account.
If you agree to become a local sponsor you are agreeing to receive funds on their behalf and pass them to the successful group to enable them to deliver on their project.
As a sponsor organisation you will be asked to provide a copy of your signed constitution or set of rules, you may also be asked to provide a copy of public liability insurance (if applicable) upon request
Apply Now
Events
-
Information Session - Craigavon
From 1 May 2025 at 19:00 to 1 May 2025 at 20:00Location: Craigavon Civic and Conference Centre
email: communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
to book your place -
ONLINE Information Session 1
From 2 May 2025 at 10:00 to 2 May 2025 at 11:00To register please email: communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Access the online meeting via
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85915579526?pwd=QzF0dHhWU2ZzdG43ZDJNQTBYUjh6Zz09 -
Information Session - Banbridge
From 6 May 2025 at 19:00 to 6 May 2025 at 20:00Location: Chamber, Civic Building, Banbridge
email: communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
to book your place -
Information Session - Armagh
From 7 May 2025 at 19:00 to 7 May 2025 at 20:00Location: Chamber at Armagh Palace Demesne
email: communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
to book your place -
ONLINE Information Session 2
From 8 May 2025 at 10:00 to 8 May 2025 at 11:00To register email: communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Access the online meeting via
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85218774323?pwd=TU5LWjhXSFh5VWUzcUs5ZC9MT1Mwdz09 -
ONLINE Information Session 3
From 8 May 2025 at 14:00 to 8 May 2025 at 15:00To register email: communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Access the online meeting via
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85450517058?pwd=QWJJQ0hKbFp5V2xvSndBMC9hTHovdz09
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85450517058?pwd=QWJJQ0hKbFp5V2xvSndBMC9hTHovdz09 -
ONLINE Information Session 4
From 13 May 2025 at 19:00 to 13 May 2025 at 20:00To register email: communityplanning@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk
Access the online meeting via
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82624243311?pwd=bHYxTnY5bng4a1dqUUVVQkEyYzVSUT09
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