‘Bank of Ideas’ now open for submissions

‘Bank of Ideas’ now open for submissions as part of Belfast 2024 programme

Residents are being invited to put forward their own ideas for creative projects in their communities, as part of Belfast City Council’s Belfast 2024 programme.

The ‘Bank of Ideas’ is offering up to £2,000 to individuals, schools and community groups keen to do something special in their neighbourhoods during the city’s biggest ever creative and cultural celebration.

All ideas are welcome – from recycling and baking to skateboarding and gardening!

Submit your idea by filling in a short online form (link opens in new window) by the deadline of 5pm on Friday 17 May. You can also download an application form and submit it by post or email also.

‘Idea generating’ workshops will also take place over the next few weeks to support individuals and groups to develop ideas and submit their applications. Sessions take place on:

·         Tuesday 30 April, 6pm-8pm – Black Box, Hill Street

·         Wednesday 1 May, 6pm-8pm – Boundary Brewing Tap Room at PortView Trade Centre

·         Thursday 2 May, 3pm-5pm – 2 Royal Avenue

·         Friday 3 May, 3pm-5pm – Sandy Row Community Centre

·         Monday 13 May, 12.30pm-1.30pm – online

·         Monday 13 May, 7pm-8pm - online


All participants who submit a suggestion to the ‘Bank of Ideas’ will be invited to chat about their ideas at a special voting day in City Hall on Sunday 2 June.

Members of the public will vote for their favourite ideas and a minimum of 25 projects will receive support of up to £2,000 each to make their ideas a reality between June and October.

“The ‘Bank of Ideas’ is at the heart of our Belfast 2024 programme – inviting everyone to get involved in bringing creativity into their own community during this very special year for our city,” explains Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy.

“Whatever your idea for getting your neighbours together, we want to hear it – it could be a movie night for teenagers, a storytelling session about the history of your street over the years, a community swap shop if you’re having a summer clearout or even an old-fashioned sports day for local kids!

“Everyone will get the chance to come into City Hall on Sunday 2 June and vote for the projects they want to see delivered, giving communities a direct say in how the £50,000 of funding available through the ‘Bank of Ideas’ should be spent. Getting involved is really easy and I’d urge as many people as possible to put forward an idea – let’s see what creative ideas you can come up with for your community and help make them happen this year.”