The winning ideas are in! Residents from every neighbourhood in London participated in the City of London’s 2023 Neighbourhood Decision Making program. Through this year’s program, Londoners cast 12,229 votes to decide what neighbourhood projects will receive funding to be brought to life. This year’s program saw a 23% increase in votes compared to the 2022 program. Votes were cast online, in-person and over the phone from November 13 to 18.
A total of $250,000 in funding was available from the City’s 2023 program. London was divided into five geographic areas as part of the voting process, and each of these areas will receive up to $50,000 for projects to help make the city’s many great neighbourhoods even better. Individual projects will receive up to $30,000 to be implemented.
2023 winning projects
Central:
- Outdoor Exercise Equipment in Gibbons Park: $30,000
- Dog Accessible Water Fountain in Victoria Park: $20,000
Northwest:
- Boardwalk Installation and Trail Signs in Medway Environmentally Significant Area: $30,000
- Tree Planting at St. Nicholas Catholic School: $5,000
- Picnic Tables in Sherwood Forest Park: $13,000
- London's Free Fruit: Creating a Culture of Sharing at St. Aidan's Church: $2,000
Northeast:
- Outdoor Naturalized Play Space at Northbrae Public School: $30,000
- Outdoor Naturalized Play Space at Louise Arbour French Immersion Public School: $20,000
Southwest:
- Upgrades for Talbot Village Community Outdoor Ice Rink: $2,000
- London's Free Fruit: Creating a Culture of Sharing in Grand View Park: $5,000
- Outdoor Movie Equipment in Byron: $15,600
- Half Basketball Court in Jesse Davison Park: $27,400
Southeast:
- Benches and Picnic Tables at East Lions Park: $15,000
- Water Bottle Refill Station in Kiwanis Park: $30,000
- Commemorative Buddy Benches at Princess Anne French Immersion: $5,000
Earlier this year, Londoners were invited to submit ideas to improve their neighbourhoods from August 21 to September 29. A total of 326 ideas were submitted by residents and neighbourhood associations. 110 ideas made it onto the ballot after they were reviewed by City staff. All 15 winning projects will be implemented by the end of 2024.
Londoners can view the 2023 voting results here.
Now that Neighbourhood Decision Making 2023 is complete, we encourage you to begin thinking of ideas to improve your neighbourhood so that you are prepared to submit an idea during next year’s Neighbourhood Decision Making program.
Neighbourhood Decision Making is a key component in engaging Londoners to have a sense of belonging in their neighbourhoods and community as outlined in the City of London’s Strategic Plan.
About the program
Residents know the needs of their neighbourhoods better than anyone. They're the ones with great ideas to help make their neighbourhood stronger, safer, connected and vibrant. Many neighbourhoods can benefit from things like community events, a playground upgrade or outdoor exercise equipment. But some ideas need a bit of cash to come to life.
That’s why the City of London created the Neighbourhood Decision Making program, where residents submit their ideas and get to vote on which ideas they want to see come to life. That’s what makes this program special -- the community gets to decide!
Neighbourhood Decision Making allows residents to be involved in making their neighbourhood a better place to live, while connecting with their neighbours and engaging in their municipal government.
Through this program, a total of $250,000 is available to enhance neighbourhoods across the city. Individual neighbourhood projects can receive up to $30,000 to be implemented.
Frequently asked questions
Who can submit an idea?
Ideas can be submitted by London residents of all ages and resident-led groups. Residents cannot submit ideas in their professional capacity and ideas should not benefit or be perceived as benefiting any particular business or organization but the neighbourhood as a whole.
What types of ideas are considered viable?
Idea proposals should…
• Involve and empower members of the neighbourhood and demonstrate broad-based and diverse participation in the project process;
• Be originated, planned, and put into action by the neighbours and community members who will be affected by the project;
• Occur within the city limits and be on public land that is accessible. Note, an exception may be considered in cases where public land is not available, and the project is completely and totally accessible to the general public. For example, a mural on the exterior wall of a building on private property.
Idea proposals should further the City of London Strategic Plan and may achieve the following outcomes:
• Improve neighbourhood safety, participation, and mobility;
• Beautify the neighbourhood;
• Improve community connections and understanding between neighbours or community members;
• Encourage equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Enhance or expand green space;
• Protect neighbourhoods and communities from climate change.
What types of ideas are not considered viable?
Idea proposals should not:
- Benefit (or be perceived to benefit) any particular business or organization
- Pay for employee positions
- Pay for a project on private property unless it is totally accessible to the public
- Reimburse out-of-London travel expenses or any accommodation expenses
- Fund any alcohol, tobacco or gambling expenses
- Contribute to fundraising revenue for projects
- Delay or cancel projects that are part of the Council’s approved Multi-Year Budget
- Substitute funding lost from other sources of money
- Reimburse an organization’s operating expenses not directly linked to the awarded project
- Pay for expenses or financial commitments undertaken prior to the organization being under contract with the City of London
Where can I view the past winning projects?
You can find a detailed overview of all the past winning Neighbourhood Decision Making projects here: https://getinvolved.london.ca/21609/widgets/131899/documents/87224