Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council: Grand Choice – Participatory Budgeting Initiative

Participatory budgeting is a relatively new concept in Northern Ireland, it empowers local communities to decide how funding is allocated within their area.   Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council used this innovative and democratic model with financial support from partner agencies to involve local people in determining how public funds are allocated to address local priorities.  The partner agencies involved were Policing & Community Safety Partnership, Police Service Northern Ireland, Good Relations, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Sport NI and Community Planning.  

Based on a simple concept, participatory budgeting opens up local decision making and provides a real opportunity for public engagement and participation by all sections of the community.  Importantly, it focuses on engaging people who may not have traditionally applied for public funds but do have ideas on how their areas can be improved as opposed to the very structured way public funds are normally allocated in Northern Ireland. Simply put, it gives people the opportunity to identify and discuss what matters to them in their communities and to vote on their priorities.  

In line with Scottish guidance it is based on seven key features to ensure a fair and high quality process:

• Fairness and inclusivity

• Participatory

• Deliberative

• Empowering

• Creative and flexible

• Transparent

• Part of our democracy

The aim of the process is to enhance the capacity of local people and promote good relations across the Council area.  The community will have the ability to influence how available resources are allocated using one or more of the “Take 5 Ways To Wellbeing” themes:

• Connect – with the people around you and keep in touch with each other 

• Be Active – to help us feel good both physically and mentally

• Take Notice – to ensure the community is safe

• Keep Learning – new things that give us a sense of achievement, enjoyment and increased confidence

• Give – doing something that give back to our community and help each other

Using the participatory budgeting concept local residents in four District Electoral Areas of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council selected 85 project ideas to receive a total of £61,055 funding.  The Council is extremely proud to champion this initiative to enable its citizens to decide how funding is allocated in their localities.  Local communities have welcomed the opportunity to have “their say” with 3,435 individuals taking part in the voting process.  

The variety of projects funded will see a healthier Lisburn & Castlereagh area both physically and mentally. The Grand Choice participatory budgeting has supported the development of sports and education programmes, investment in shared spaces and the learning of new skills and knowledge.  

The council and its partners have committed to delivering further participatory budgeting schemes in its remaining three District Electoral Areas before the end of February 2023.

www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk

New 'PB' for Lisburn Castlereagh 

Vote for Your Local Grand Choice (lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk)