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 invited submissions to be made online at www.galwaycity.ie by completing an application form. The link to submit an application closed on the 7th February 2025 at 4.00 pm.
Proposals have been assessed by Area Councillors and Council staff based on community benefit and feasibility. Please find below a summary of the shortlisted projects. Galway City Council are now inviting the public to decide on the project which will be of most benefit to the local community.
PROJECT NUMBER 1 – Greening of the Laneways at An Sean Bhaile Doughiska
Galway City Council to partner with local residents and young people to transform local areas into 'green' city laneways and transform them into vibrant, playful and nature-friendly spaces for all of the community to enjoy.
PROJECT NUMBER 2 – Mervue Playground Upgrades
Installation of accessible play equipment and overall accessibility improvements at Mervue Playground
PROJECT NUMBER 3 – Laneway Upgrades at Junction of Terryland Forest Park and Crescent View Estate
To modify the height of the kerb to improve accessibility at the entrance to the park and also to upgrade the roadway to prevent standing water at the barrier.
The shortlisted projects b 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).
Public Voting – Open Now
Voting is now open to the public and you can cast your vote for your favourite project by clicking on the following link: https://submit.link/3xW. The voting portal will close on the 17th April 2025 at 4.00 pm. The project with the highest number of votes will be selected for implementation by Galway City Council.