Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Community ideas turned into reality with over £114,000 funding!

For the last few months, communities from right across every corner of the borough have been putting forward ideas that they think will have a positive impact on their area – and almost 170 applications in total came through to the Tak£500+ project.

Three incredible events were then held at different venues across the borough where 142 fantastic ideas were showcased in the hope that members of the public would vote for them to receive funding to bring their ideas to life!

Overall, 3,923 votes were cast by you – residents of this borough – for your favourite projects. This level of participation shows how much people value having a voice in decisions that affect their community. And an amazing 115 projects have received funding to the tune of over £114,000 to carry out their projects for the benefit of their communities!

This was all made possible through the ABC Community Planning Partnership’s ‘TAK£500+ Participatory Budget Fund’ – a project that has enabled local people to decide how public funds are used to address needs in their area. Communities were able to apply for up to £1,000, with local residents deciding which projects should be brought to life!

The variety of successful projects is quite simply amazing and includes projects to support emotional wellbeing, sporting activities for all ages, community gardens, intergenerational initiatives, projects to protect our industrial heritage and so much more!

“This is now the fifth year of the TAK£500+ project, and it’s fantastic to see it going from strength to strength,” said the Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mary O’Dowd.

“It’s been great to see so many local people getting involved – not only by putting forward their ideas, but also by coming along and casting their votes. The range of projects and the thought behind them really show the pride people have in their communities and their desire to make a positive difference.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing these projects come to life over the coming months and the impact they will have right across the borough.”

All ideas were based around the ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ – five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis.

View the list of unsuccessful projects here.

View the list of successful projects here.

Armagh saw an incredible 1,778 votes cast at the final Tak£500+ Market Stall and Decision Making Event, as people voted for their favourite community project to receive up to £1,000! A great day was had by all and we will be shortly announcing the projects that have received funding! Watch this space! More photos can be found here: Almost 2,000 votes cast at Armagh Tak£500+ event | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

The community turned out in full force to our second Tak£500+ Market Stall and Decision Making event in Banbridge. Local groups showcased their amazing project ideas to the crowds who then had a chance to vote for their favourites! See more photos here: Crowds Gather at Recent Tak£500+ event in Banbridge | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Thousands of people flocked to the first Tak£500+ Market Stall and Decision Making event in South Lake Leisure Centre – and everyone had an incredible day! More photos can be found here: Tak£500+ event at South Lake Leisure Centre a huge success! | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

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 Ways to Wellbeing’. These are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing on a daily basis.

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 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.

STAGE ONE – ELIGIBILITY

HOW TO APPLY?

Applications open on Monday 13^th April 2026 for four weeks and will close at midnight on Sunday 10^th May 2026. To complete an application, click the APPLY NOW link below or by submitting a word version to

You can attend one of our information sessions which will be held over the coming weeks as listed below:

Information Sessions

In‑person sessions

• Tuesday 21^st April – 7:00pm – 8:00pm, The Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Markethill
• Wednesday 22nd April – 10:30am – 11:30am, Sintons on the Bridge (Age Friendly Session)
• Wednesday 22nd April – 7:00pm – 8:00pm, Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre, Craigavon
• Thursday 23^rd April – 7:00pm – 8:00pm, Bowling Pavilion, Lurgan Road, Dromore

Online (Zoom) sessions

• Thursday 16^th April: Online via Zoom 7:00pm – 8:00pm
• Friday 17^th April: Online via Zoom 10:30am – 11:30am
• Monday 20^th April: Online via Zoom 2:30pm – 3:30pm
• Wednesday 29^th April: Online via Zoom 4:00pm – 5:00pm

To register to attend a session complete the jotform or 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 Ways 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 30 May 2026, 10am–2pm – South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon
• Saturday 6 June 2026, 10am–2pm – Banbridge Leisure Centre
• Saturday 13 June 2026, 10am–2pm – Armagh City Hotel

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 14^th January 2027, and you will also be required to attend a community celebration event in March 2027. 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. Project partners include: