Questions and Answers

PB is open to everyone who will benefit in the Belfast City Council area. You do not need to be part of an existing group or organisation to apply for funding. As long as there two or more of you and you have a good idea for a project, you can come together, make an application and pitch your idea. Under 18's can also apply providing a responsible adult or organisation sponsors you. Local people in your area will vote for the projects they think are the best.      

Eligibility

• Both Constituted and non-constituted groups can apply 
• Non-constituted groups will require a sponsor organisation (get in touch if you need help with this) 
• Any groups of young people under the age of 18 will need a sponsor to support them through the process
• A maximum of one application per group per area can be submitted
• Groups must contain a minimum of 2 or more people 

Sponsor organisations can apply in their own right whilst also offering sponsorship to smaller non-constituted groups.

You can apply for up to £2500 to pay for things such as events, venue hire, transport for trips, workshops, tutors, performers, specialist facilitator, online activities, funding for awareness campaigns or for equipment for projects e.g. cooking equipment, sports kits, outdoor gym equipment and other innovative ideas or events.

Unfortunately, there are things we can’t fund such as Utility costs, core salary costs, commercial events, purchase of alcohol, political activities, religious activities, memorials, inflatables, fireworks. Items like these  will not be funded  If you are unsure, please contact us.

Voting will take place in person at a special "Market Stall" decision making event.  

At these events, all the projects seeking funding set up a market stall to 'sell' their project idea to local residents.  Residents visit each stall before deciding which projects to vote for.    

All those who attend the market stall events (aged 4 and over) will be given a specified number of votes, which they then use to vote for the projects they'd like to see happen. People must vote for multiple projects and cannot put all or more than one vote toward a single project.

You can vote once for your own project but you must also use your full allocation of votes and choose other projects too. Otherwise, your vote won't count!

The projects with the most public votes will be awarded up to £2500 to make their idea happen.

The exact number of votes and winning projects will depend on how many applications are received.

The market stall events will be held between 4.30pm and 8.30pm to allow as many people as possible to cast their vote.  The provisional dates for each market stall event are:

• North Belfast - 11 February   
• South Belfast - 13 February 
• East Belfast - 18 February    
• West Belfast - 20 February    

The venue for each of the events will be posted nearer the time.

We are running four PB projects across the city, one each in North, South, East and West Belfast. The table below shows how the council's Local Area Working Groups are set up using the official Electoral Areas of Belfast.  However, this is provided as a guide only. You can decide which area your project fits under best. When submitting an application, you will be asked to choose which area of the city you want to apply to. That will determine which area voting event you attend.

All project ideas must contribute to one or more of the Take 5 steps to wellbeing. Evidence suggests there are five steps we can all take to help improve mental health and wellbeing. These are:

• Connect
• Keep learning
• Be active
• Take notice
• Give

Find out more at Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing

As long as you can demonstrate how your idea will enable people to take at least one of the 5 steps to wellbeing, your project will be considered. 

We will check that your project can be delivered safely and legally within the timeframe and for your budget. If we do need to clarify anything, we'll contact you and work with you as best we can to ensure your project can go to the decision making stage. 

Criteria

• Safe
• Legal
• Feasible within the timeframe and budget
• In keeping with the theme of “Take 5 steps to wellbeing, your voice, your choice"
• Benefit people within the Belfast City Council area
• Attendance at the Celebration event in November 2025 to share positive impact that has been achieved. 

If your unsure whether your project would meet the following criteria, then we'd encourage you to contact the Belfast Health Development Unit or one of the local area PB coordinators for advice.  

Public Health Agency and Belfast City Council are providing the funding.  A multi-sectoral design team has developed the PB process and is supporting this work.    

Stage 1 - Complete a short application form to tell us about your project idea. Applications open on Monday 25 November 2024 for 7 weeks and will close at 4.00pm Friday 10th January 2025.

Stage 2 - Successful groups will be invited to a Market Stall Decision-Making Event week commencing Monday 10 February 2025 where the community will vote for the projects they want to see happen.

Stage 3 - Successful projects are funded and delivered April to October 2025.

Stage 4 - Showcase and celebration event in November 2025.

We want to make it as easy as possible for local groups and residents to get involved.  

If you have an idea for a project: 

1. Submit an application before the deadline.
2. If you are a new or non-constituted group, you will need to have a sponsor organisation.  (Don't worry, we can help you with that if needed).    
3. If your idea meets our safety and feasibility checks, you then pitch your ideas to your local community at our market stall decision-making event.
4. If your project gets enough votes, it's over to you to implement your idea.
5. You must then come back to our Celebration Event in November to show your community what you did and explain how it benefited people.    

If you have any questions or would like help with your application, get in contact with the Belfast Health Development Unit by emailing mlbt@bhdu.org 

If you want to have a say about which projects get funded: 

• Come along to one of the decision making events in February. Details will be posted on this site nearer the time, so keep checking back or add your name to our mailing list using the 'Follow this Project' link on this page.  

All applicants will find out if they meet the eligibility criteria and proceed to the decision making events by week commencing 20 January 2025.

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.

If successful, your project must take place between April and October 2025.

You will also be required to attend a community celebration event in November 2025.

We will allocate 80% of the award upfront with the remaining 20% being paid on completion of the project outlined in your application form and confirmation of attendance at the Celebration Event.

Closing date 4.00pm on Friday 10 January 2025.

We would encourage you where possible to complete your application online at Your Say Belfast.

However, if you prefer to complete an electronic PDF version these can be emailed to mlbt@bhdu.org

Hard copies will also be accepted by post to Belfast Health Development Unit, Active Belfast Team, Cecil Ward Building, Third Floor, 4-10 Linenhall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP.