YOUNG people across Derry and Strabane are being invited from today to vote online for an exciting range of community initiatives set for delivery in the New Year, as part of a special youth focused Council Project.
A budget of £20,000 has been made available, with support from Carnegie UK Trust, as part of a new Participatory Budgeting (PB) process to deliver a range of creative youth centred initiatives.
This is the second phase of the youth led competitive process, with up to £1,000 per project up for grabs – that’s £2,500 in each of the Local Community Partnership Areas.
The successful participants whose ideas have made it to this stage of the project have each produced a showcase video which will be streamed online from today – now they just need your support!
Participatory Budgeting is a new approach in Northern Ireland to the allocation of public resources, ensuring that the right support is channelled into local communities, as decided by the people living there.
Young people were chosen to lead on Council’s first PB process, getting involved in every stage of the project through a Youth Making It Happen Co-Design Panel.
Groups aged 12-25 have been working together over recent months to come up with a series of ideas that will benefit young people across the City and District.
It’s the first time that a Participatory Budgeting process has been led and co-designed by young people in Northern Ireland.
The group have been working closely with Council’s Community Planning team and Community Places to shape every aspect of the process, from themes to award criteria.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Brian Tierney, joined with the Co-Design team back in September to launch to project.
Today he encouraged young people to get involved by casting their vote online for the best projects in their area.
“PB is a fantastic way of making democratically led funding decisions in local communities, and I have been so impressed by the way our young people have taken on this challenge and led the process to date.
“I’ve seen the range of proposals submitted and the groups have come up with some really creative and positive ideas that will benefit each local community area.
“It’s a great opportunity to take control and initiate positive change so I am calling on all local young people to use this chance to play their part in decision making and vote for their favourite projects.”
Young people were asked to consider a number of themes when coming up with their project idea, namely: Arts and Culture, Community and Environment, Education and Skills, Equality and Inclusion, Safety, and Sport, Health and Well-being.
The money can be used for a wide range of initiatives to include funding new sporting equipment, arts supplies, equipment to assist with social distancing or raise awareness about Covid-19, deliver events, organise workshops or training opportunities.
You can cast your vote for your favourite projects at: https://haveyoursay.derrystrabane.com/crp/youth-making-it-happen/
Voting closes on December 6th and successful projects must be delivered by 28th February 2021.
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