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+ PB (Participatory Budgeting) 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.
Communities 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 should go ahead!
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.
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.
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.
STAGE ONE – ELIGIBILITY
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications open on Wednesday 30th April 2025 for five weeks and will close at midnight on Wednesday 4th June 2025. To complete an application, click the APPLY NOW link below or by submitting a word version to
You can attend one of our online information sessions which will be held over the coming weeks as listed 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 a session please email specifying which session you would like to attend.
Telephone support is also available by contacting a member of the PB 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.
Projects must be submitted by the application deadline, those submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Your idea will be checked by the PB Working Group to make sure that it meets the criteria (safe, legal, feasible within budget and timeframe, will benefit the people in Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, in line with one or more of the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing and the overall ethos of Take 5).
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 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 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.
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.
Project supported by:
Tak£500+ is a project of Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Community Planning Partnership.
