Local residents or groups in the Downshire West area of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council can apply for up to £1,000 via the ‘Grand Choice’ participatory budgeting initiative from 20 January 2025.
The key difference between Grand Choice and other council managed funding opportunities is that the successful projects are chosen by the community. The votes of those living in Downshire West will decide which projects will be funded.
Councillor Jonathan Craig, Community & Wellbeing Chairman, said: “Once again the council is proud to be supporting this scheme. There is £15,000 available for projects across the council’s district electoral area of Downshire West. This includes the Blaris, Hillsborough, Lagan, Maze and Moira areas.
“As with previous rounds of Grand Choice, successful projects can win up to £1,000 and will be chosen by their local community. Voting will be in person at a Community Decision Event on 29 March 2025 in Hillsborough Presbyterian Church Hall, 49 Lisburn Street, Hillsborough, BT26 6AA from 11.00am – 3.00pm. We encourage residents in the Downshire West area to use their voting power to select the projects they feel best suit their communities.”
Projects that relate to one or more of the Take 5 themes of Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Give and Policing or Community Safety will be eligible for funding. All projects must be completed between April – September 2025.
Councillor Sharon Lowry, Chair of the Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP, said: “To date Grand Choice has been a great success in all the other district electoral areas with the most recent held in the Killultagh area in October 2024. It offers the perfect opportunity for residents, constituted groups and schools to bring a project or event to their local community. If you and a few friends have an idea to support your local community then I would encourage you to consider applying.
“You can apply for up to £1,000 for things such as online or in-person activities, events, tutors, workshops, performers or specialist facilitator. Should you have a specific community issue that needs addressed then you could request funding for marketing campaigns or equipment for projects. If your group is not constituted, you must obtain sponsor support from a local constituted group.
“All applications will be assessed to ensure the project is legal, safe, and achievable within government guidance, the budget and timescale. Our communities have the power to decide where the Grand Choice funding goes.
“Three online workshops have been scheduled to help you decide if your project would be eligible for ‘Grand Choice’ funds. Please join us and talk to the team who will be happy to answer your questions,” concluded Councillor Lowry.
The scheduled community Teams workshops are scheduled for:
Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 7.00pm
Wednesday 29 January at 10am
Thursday 30 January at 3pm
To register to attend one of the workshop sessions please email: pcsp@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
Lisburn & Castlereagh PCSP, PSNI, Sport NI, Ark Housing, South Eastern Trust, Choice Housing, Triangle Housing and Northern Ireland Housing Executive have contributed to the scheme in addition to the council.
To apply online or to download an application form please go to https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GrandChoiceDownshireWest/ with the closing date for applications on Sunday 23 February 2025.