Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

The public has spoken!

This year we received a huge 156 applications to the Tak£500+ Project.  Three incredible events were hosted across the borough where 144 projects were showcased by their groups, in the hope that members of the public would vote for them to receive funding to bring their ideas to life!

Over 3423 residents attended these events and cast their votes for the projects they wanted to see receive up to £1000 – and 116 of these project ideas were successful in securing the funding!

With projects including sporting initiatives for all ages, community gardens and intergenerational initiatives to name just a few, we know the positive impact of these plans will be seen right across the borough.

All ideas were based around the ‘Take 5 Ways of Wellbeing’ – five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis. All of the projects that received funding will therefore be invested in programmes which will help to promote the mental health of residents in each area.

An amazing total of £114,100 of funding was distributed between the winning groups and we can’t wait to see all the projects come to fruition!

For those that applied and didn’t receive funding on this occasion, the journey is far from over. The Participatory Budget Working Group will continue to support these groups to deliver their project in another way – and if this is not possible, to signpost them towards other funding streams and to assess additional support requirements.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

You can apply for up to £1000 to pay for things such as online activities, equipment, events, tutors, venue hire, transport for trips 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.

HERITAGE- In addition to the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing this year we have decided to add heritage to the application form, and this covers all types of heritage so if your project is related to the theme of heritage in any way, please tick this box on the application form. If you are unsure whether or not your project is heritage related you can contact Sarah Cargill on the “Want more information” section to discuss .

* Please note that even if your project is related to heritage, it must also be based around the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing in order to meet the eligibility criteria *

A PB 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.

WHEN DO PROJECTS HAVE TO BE DELIVERED?

Successful projects must 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 to others at your table 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 PB working Group.

Project supported by:

Tak£500+ is a project of Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Community Planning Partnership.