Tak£500+’ Participatory Budgeting (PB) fund 2022

Overview

PB Tak£500 was initially set up in 2020 and 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 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.

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.

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.
• 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. (More details on this below).
• If your group is not constituted, you will need to be sponsored by a constituted group or organisation.  (You can read more about Group Sponsors below)
• A maximum of two applications can be received

HOW DOES IT WORK?

You can apply for up to £1000 to pay for things such as online activities, equipment, events, tutors, venue hire and other innovative ideas.*

All ideas must be based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of 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 Ways 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. 

All applications and programmes need to follow current public health advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 which can be found here https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus

STAGE ONE – ELIGIBILITY

HOW TO APPLY?

Applications will now open on Monday 17th October and close on Friday 25th November.  You can find the Tak£500 Guidance document at the bottom of this page.

Please complete the form overleaf, 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:

Applications will now open on Monday 17th October and close on Friday 25th November. There are a series of information sessions on the dates below, to register click on the links:

Monday 17th October 7pm – 8pm Craigavon: Craigavon Civic Centre

Monday 17th October 7pm – 8pm Armagh: Chamber at Place Demesne

Wednesday 19th October 10am to 11am – Online: Zoom

Wednesday 26 October 7pm – 8pm: Banbridge: Banbridge Leisure Centre.

To register to attend a session please contact us.  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 Friday 25 November 2022, 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 Ways 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 14 January 2023, 10.30 – 15.30: Armagh City Hotel

Saturday 21 January 2023, 10.30 – 15.30: Banbridge Leisure Centre

Saturday 28 January 2023, 10.30 – 15.30: Craigavon Civic 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 May 2023 and you will also be required to attend a community celebration event in June 2023. 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. (This celebration event is dependent on the COVID-19 situation and alternative arrangements will be put in place if necessary).

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.

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.

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 Ways 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 14th January 2023,10:30am-3:30pm: Armagh City Hotel.

Saturday 21st January 2023, 10:30-3:30pm Banbridge Leisure Centre

Saturday 28th January 2023 10:30-3:30pm Craigavon (venue TBC)

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.