Tak£500+ Participatory Budgeting (PB) Fund 2026

Overview

After four very successful projects in 2020,2022, 2024 and 2025 Tak£500+ is now back for its fifth 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

YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR VOICE, YOUR CHOICE!

Do you have an idea that you feel would have a positive impact on your community?

Do you think this idea could be turned into a project and brought to life?

If so, look no further than the ‘Tak£500+’ Participatory Budgeting (PB) fund.

WHAT IS TAK£500+?

Tak£500+ is a Participatory Budgeting process which means that local people get to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area. Community Planning Partners have pooled their resources to fund community projects.

Groups can apply for up to £1000 for a project they think will benefit their area - and best of all, it is the local residents who decide which projects receive the funding!

WHO CAN APPLY?

The fund is open to everyone.

• Applications are welcome from constituted and non‑constituted groups.
• Each group must have at least three members.
• Children and young people aged eight and above can also form a group and apply for funding. If you are under 18 you must:
  • have an Adult Sponsor to support the application and delivery of the project
  • have a parent/guardian sign the application form
• If your group is not constituted, you will need to be sponsored by a constituted group or organisation. (more details below)
• Only one application per organisation/umbrella group will be accepted. If more than one is received, you will be asked to select the one you want considered.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

You can apply for up to £1000 to pay for things such as online activities, equipment, events, tutors or facilitators, venue hire and other creative, innovative ideas that meet community needs.

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.

What Cannot Be Funded

The PB Working Group cannot fund:

• personal payments
• alcohol
• political activities
• items or activities already funded elsewhere
• projects that have already taken place

If you are unsure, please get in touch.

How Does the Process Work?

Stage One – Eligibility Check

The PB Working Group of community planning partners will review your ideas against the following criteria to ensure they are:

• safe
• legal
• feasible (deliverable within the budget and timeframe)
• beneficial to people in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough
• aligned with one or more Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing and the overall ethos of Take 5

Only applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.

HOW TO APPLY?

How to Apply

Applications open Monday 13 April 2026 and close at midnight on Sunday 10 May 2026.

You can apply in any of the following ways:

Online

Complete the online application form at
https://www.armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk/take500plus

Email

Download a form from the website and email your completed copy to:
PB@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk

Post

Send hard copy applications to:
Community Planning Office, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Civic Building, Downshire Road, Banbridge, BT32 3JY.