All Ireland Award for Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting Project

The Ballymena schools PB project captured the imagination of the judges and the Community Champions Award at the Chartered Institute of Housing, All Ireland Housing Awards in Belfast last Friday evening.

The Ballymena Participatory Budgeting Programme started two years ago and is an innovative, youth-led initiative delivered in partnership by Radius Housing, Hare’s Corner Co-operative and five secondary schools in Ballymena.

The project represents the first ever participatory budgeting programme delivered within schools in Northern Ireland. Demonstrating long-term commitment and sustainability, Radius Housing has commenced Year 2 of this project to allow for deepening learning and skills development within the schools, and new partners Politics in Action and the Northern Ireland Electoral Comission have joined founding partner Hare’s Corner Co-operative to this end.

Karin Eyben, Hare’s Corner Co-operative, said: “Participatory Budgeting is a proven community development tool that brings decision-making power over public funding directly to those who will benefit. In Ballymena, this principle is embedded at grassroots level through a student design team, made up of pupils from all five participating schools.

“Each year, the design team takes ownership of designing and delivering the PB process within their schools, including agreeing the programme name, theme, budget breakdown, rules and communication strategy. This approach ensures the process is genuinely youth-led and responsive to the needs and priorities of young people.”

The programme actively promotes equality, mutual respect and understanding by encouraging participation from all pupils, not only those on school councils or those most confident to speak out.

Particular effort is made to support students who may be marginalised or quieter, ensuring voices that are often unheard are actively encouraged and mentored. This inclusive approach empowers pupils whose ideas may not previously have been heard in decision-making.

Aoidin Darcy, Castle Tower School, commented: “Our young people don’t often get the chance to mix. They can be left out of projects like this. It was so good that the programme started here in the school. An important lesson is not to limit the opportunities for young people, to go with it.”

Lisa Mooney, Radius Housing, said: “To date, over 4,000 pupils and teaching staff have participated, bringing together a diverse range of backgrounds, faiths and cultures. The schools include grammar, secondary and special education settings, creating meaningful opportunities for cross-school collaboration and shared learning.

“Importantly, pupils make the final decisions on how funding is spent; teachers facilitate the process but do not vote, reinforcing trust in the democratic integrity of the programme.”

Caron Mulligan, Slemish College commented: “There was a breaking down of barriers between schools involved, Special Ed, Grammar, Catholic, Protestant. It was encouraging how the schools inspired each other.”

Mrs Robinson, Ballymena Academy, remarked: “It has been great to be involved in the Ballymena PB programme.  It gave us an opportunity to work alongside pupils from other schools and develop our skills. Our pupils really enjoyed having an opportunity to express their pupil voice, coming up with ideas that they thought would improve pupil well-being, having the chance to share these ideas on the voting day and being able to cast their votes.

“As a result of the first year of the initiative our school voted for an additional water fountain, which is operational and widely used.  We also ran a series of Brazilian Jujitsu classes for Years 10&11 who learned many manoeuvres in self-defence. During this session, we have enjoyed working alongside Politics in Action and have learned a lot about democracy.  Our school has submitted new bids for this year, and we are looking forward to the ‘Big Voting Day’ in June.”

Pupils from the Design Team from Dunclug College and Slemish College commented: “I have been involved in the programme for over 2 years I have really enjoyed having the opportunity to work alongside other local schools as part of the design team. Planning and overseeing the first ever whole school voting event has been a highlight for me.”

“I have enjoyed getting to know pupils from my school and other local schools. Having the opportunity to discover more about politics with others my age has been very useful.”

“PB has truly empowered me in developing my voice and skyrocketed my confidence.”

Ms McKendry from St Louis Grammar said: “This initiative has provided a unique opportunity for young people to actively engage in decision-making, develop key life skills, and contribute meaninfully to improving their school community. The pupils have become active citizens, shaping the place in which they learn and grow, a reflection of the positive and lasting influence this initiative has had on both students and staff alike.”

Paul Smyth from Politics in Action added: “It has been such a pleasure for us at Politics in Action to be involved in this innovative project, bringing our ‘Civic Youth Work’ model to new audiences at a time when we are preparing to lower the voting age across the UK”.

Amelia Deehan, Northern Ireland Electoral Commission, commented on the programme: “Working with Radius Housing on the Participatory Budget Programme in Ballymena has been a powerful example of democratic education in action. It gives young people a real say in decisions that affect their school community, helping them see that their voice matters.

“At the Electoral Commission, we’re committed to supporting opportunities that build confidence, understanding and participation. This programme does exactly that – it makes democracy tangible and empowers pupils to engage in a meaningful way. Radius Housing’s dedication to involving young people in local decision‑making is hugely impactful and whole heartedly deserves this recognition.”

The Ballymena Schools PB programme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.

The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.

A potential of £16.8m will be invested in the St. Patrick’s shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.

Radius Housing Association currently has 12 shared housing developments across Northern Ireland. St. Patrick’s Good Relations Plan includes ‘Bridging’ events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include Health and Wellbeing and Education, Training and Employment.