Galway City Council are delighted to announce a new funding grant of €25,000 under the newly introduced Participatory Budgeting Process.
What is Participatory Budget: Have Your Say?
Participatory Budgeting is a democratic process that enables local communities to have direct input into the allocation of public funds.
Galway City Council will designate a percentage of its annual budget for Community Participatory Budgeting. The amount initially determined for 2025 – 2029 is €25,000 per annum. Proposals will be invited from communities and residents in the following sequence: Year 1 East, Year 2 Centre and Year 3 West.
This new initiative allows residents of Galway City to create project proposals for their local community. These proposals will be shortlisted and put to a public vote from which the winning project will be decided.
How does it work?
Galway City Council will invite submissions to be made online at www.galwaycity.ie by completing an application form. The link to submit an application will open on the 20th January 2025 at 9.00 am and the closing date for receipt of applications is the 7th February 2025 at 4.00 pm.
Proposals will be assessed by the relevant Area Councillors and Council staff based on community benefit and feasibility. The shortlisted projects are then put to a public vote where residents decide on how the €25,000 will be allocated. Voting will take place online at www.galwaycity.ie in March, and the project with the highest number of votes will be declared as winner.
Galway City Council will implement the winning projects directly and provide regular updates to the community on progress and expenditure. (The amount allocated is not in the form of a grant to a community/resident’s association, rather the project will be delivered directly by Galway City Council).
What type of projects are applicable?
Proposals should focus on actions / initiatives which will address community priorities including for example, climate action; biodiversity; local improvement, environmental enhancement; anti-social behaviour; community safety; accessibility and age friendly infrastructure.
To submit your proposal please visit https://www.galwaycity.ie/participatorybudgetsubmission
For any queries in relation to the above please contact the Community Department at candc@galwaycity.ie or 087-0361903/087-4885383
The closing date for all online applications is Friday, 7th February at 4.00pm.