Up to £1k, your way!

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Earlier this year, the Active Belfast Partnership took forward our first ‘test and learn’ pilot of Participatory Budgeting (PB) in Belfast. This first phase is now closed, but we've kept this page here so you can learn more about the process.

Stay up to date on developments and be the first to hear about our phase 2 PB by subscribing to the project using the "stay informed" link on this page.


We're using PB so our residents can be more involved in the decisions that affect them. We think this will help generate new ideas, strengthen community spirit and make a better difference to people's lives as we will be allocating money to the projects that you think are the best. You - our residents - will decide which projects will be funded. If our PB pilot works well, then the Belfast Community Planning Partners and Belfast City Council may do other PB in the future.

The theme for our first PB is:“Move more and eat well - to feel better” Move more and eat well to feel better

As long as your project idea contributes to this theme you can put in an application. Groups can apply for funding up to £1,000, and if successful you will have around 6 months to deliver your project.

We'll check that the project can be delivered safely, that it is legal and feasible to do in the stated timeframe and for the money. However, it will be up to your local community to decide which projects are funded; not us!


How to Get Involved

If you and your friends, neighbours, school or organised group have an idea for a project that will help people to “Move more and eat well - to feel better” then what's stopping you? Put in an application when it opens in February and, if people in your area agree that its a good idea, then you'll get funded.

We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved. You don't have to be a big community group or have done anything like this before to make an application and pitch your project idea.

The application form is simple and straightforward. However, you will need to "pitch" your ideas to your local community at one of the in-person decision-making events in April. This will be run using the 'market stall' approach - where people visit your stall and learn more about each project before casting their votes.

But don't worry, we'll be there to help throughout this process.

As a condition of your funding you will be required to show what you did with the money at a showcase celebration event in Autumn 2023.

If you have an idea or want to learn more, please click on the information links on the right of this page. We also have a team of people ready to answer any questions and give advice. To speak to a person about your idea or the PB process, please go to our "Help and Advice" page where you will find a list of contacts.

How to submit an application:

Applications opened at 9am on Monday 6 February and close at 4pm on Monday 20 March. You can submit an application in three ways:

  1. Online: Using the link below (available from 6 Feb), fill in your application online and submit the form using the submit button on the online form. We would encourage you, where possible, to use this option. Online forms will close at 4pm Monday 20 March 2023.
  2. By Email: Download an electronic PDF version using the link below (available from 6 Feb) and once completed email it to mlbt@bhdu.org. Applications received after 4pm on Monday 20 March 2023 will not be considered.
  3. By post: Use the download and print option to print a copy of the application form (available from 6 Feb). Hard copies can be posted or hand delivered to Belfast Health Development Unit, Active Belfast Team, Cecil Ward Building, Third Floor, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BP. Applications received after 4pm on Monday 20 March 2023 will not be considered.

Earlier this year, the Active Belfast Partnership took forward our first ‘test and learn’ pilot of Participatory Budgeting (PB) in Belfast. This first phase is now closed, but we've kept this page here so you can learn more about the process.

Stay up to date on developments and be the first to hear about our phase 2 PB by subscribing to the project using the "stay informed" link on this page.


We're using PB so our residents can be more involved in the decisions that affect them. We think this will help generate new ideas, strengthen community spirit and make a better difference to people's lives as we will be allocating money to the projects that you think are the best. You - our residents - will decide which projects will be funded. If our PB pilot works well, then the Belfast Community Planning Partners and Belfast City Council may do other PB in the future.

The theme for our first PB is:“Move more and eat well - to feel better” Move more and eat well to feel better

As long as your project idea contributes to this theme you can put in an application. Groups can apply for funding up to £1,000, and if successful you will have around 6 months to deliver your project.

We'll check that the project can be delivered safely, that it is legal and feasible to do in the stated timeframe and for the money. However, it will be up to your local community to decide which projects are funded; not us!


How to Get Involved

If you and your friends, neighbours, school or organised group have an idea for a project that will help people to “Move more and eat well - to feel better” then what's stopping you? Put in an application when it opens in February and, if people in your area agree that its a good idea, then you'll get funded.

We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get involved. You don't have to be a big community group or have done anything like this before to make an application and pitch your project idea.

The application form is simple and straightforward. However, you will need to "pitch" your ideas to your local community at one of the in-person decision-making events in April. This will be run using the 'market stall' approach - where people visit your stall and learn more about each project before casting their votes.

But don't worry, we'll be there to help throughout this process.

As a condition of your funding you will be required to show what you did with the money at a showcase celebration event in Autumn 2023.

If you have an idea or want to learn more, please click on the information links on the right of this page. We also have a team of people ready to answer any questions and give advice. To speak to a person about your idea or the PB process, please go to our "Help and Advice" page where you will find a list of contacts.

How to submit an application:

Applications opened at 9am on Monday 6 February and close at 4pm on Monday 20 March. You can submit an application in three ways:

  1. Online: Using the link below (available from 6 Feb), fill in your application online and submit the form using the submit button on the online form. We would encourage you, where possible, to use this option. Online forms will close at 4pm Monday 20 March 2023.
  2. By Email: Download an electronic PDF version using the link below (available from 6 Feb) and once completed email it to mlbt@bhdu.org. Applications received after 4pm on Monday 20 March 2023 will not be considered.
  3. By post: Use the download and print option to print a copy of the application form (available from 6 Feb). Hard copies can be posted or hand delivered to Belfast Health Development Unit, Active Belfast Team, Cecil Ward Building, Third Floor, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BP. Applications received after 4pm on Monday 20 March 2023 will not be considered.
Page last updated: 08 Feb 2024, 04:03 PM