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.
Learn more about Neighbourhood Decision MakinG 2022
2022 program overview
Through the 2022 program, Londoners cast 9,974 votes to decide what neighbourhood projects will receive funding to be brought to life. Votes were cast online from June 18 to the 25, and in-person and over the phone on June 25.
A total of $250,000 in funding was available from the City’s 2022 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.
2022 winning projects
Central London
- Bike repair stations along the Thames Valley Parkway ($12,600)
- Tree planting in Gibbons Park ($5,000)
- Kensington Village wildflower meadow ($12,500)
- Community meals in Queens Park ($4,500)
- River’s Edge Disc Golf Course improvements ($15,400)
Northeast London
- Outdoor learning and play area upgrades at F.D. Roosevelt Public School ($30,000)
- Duck feeding signage around ponds in Northeast London ($1,000)
- Story Walk along Stoney Creek Valley Trail ($10,000)
- Shade tree planting at Dalkeith Park playground ($5,000)
- Naturalized planting in McCormick Park ($4,000)
Northwest London
- Planting shade trees near playgrounds in Northwest London ($15,000)
- St. Paul Catholic School playground addition ($30,000)
- Little Free Library with Arabic books ($3,000)
- Nor’west Optimist Playground bike racks ($2,000)
Southeast London
- Naturalized planting in Kiwanis Park – Central South ($1,000)
- Benches along Westminster Ponds Trails ($15,000)
- Upgrades and safety improvements at Kiwanis Park baseball fields ($30,000)
- Dog park improvements at Pottersburg Off-Leash Dog Park ($4,000)
Southwest London
- Bat houses in Southwest neighbourhoods ($2,000)
- Lambeth Optimist Playground addition ($30,000)
- Pollinator pathway in Southcrest ($2,700)
- Pollinator pathways in Cleardale and White Oaks neighbourhoods ($4,000)
- Community pantry in Westmount ($500)
- Disc golf baskets in Basil Grover Park ($10,800)
Earlier this year, Londoners were invited to submit ideas to improve their neighbourhoods from March 21 to April 29. A total of 230 ideas were submitted by residents and neighbourhood associations. 78 ideas made it onto the ballot after they were reviewed by City staff. All 24 winning projects will be implemented by the end of 2023. Londoners can view the 2022 voting results here.
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.
Now that Neighbourhood Decision Making 2022 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is Neighbourhood Decision Making?
Neighbourhood Decision Making is a City program that offers community members of all ages the opportunity to directly decide how to spend a portion of the municipal budget in their neighbourhoods. It enables residents to work with the local government to make decisions that affect their lives. This program is an important part of the London Strengthening Neighbourhoods Strategy (2017-2020) and supports the Strategic Plan for the City of London in strengthening our community by creating vibrant, connected, and engaged neighbourhoods.
We have $250,000 for this program, with $50,000 allocated to five geographic areas of the City: Central, North West, North East, South West and South East. An idea can cost up to $30,000.
What is the purpose of Neighbourhood Decision Making?
The purpose of this program is to engage, empower, and connect residents by bringing neighbours together around community-driven projects that enhance and strengthen their neighbourhoods.
What are the goals of Neighbourhood Decision Making?
The goals of this program include:
- Resident engagement and participation in civic decision making;
- Residents connecting with neighbours;
- Learn what residents want in their neighbourhoods;
- Resident involvement in local voting process where they get to decide how money gets spent.
Who can participate?
Any Londoner of any age can participate in all steps of the process. From idea submissions to voting.
Why should you participate?
Neighbourhood Decision Making offers residents the opportunity for real-life participation in voting for ideas that will improve the neighbourhood they live in.
Where does this take place?
It is a city-wide initiative, with five geographic areas: Central, South East, South West, North East and North West.
What qualifies as an idea?
Idea proposals should:
- Involve and empower members of the neighbourhood and demonstrate broadbased 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
- Idea proposals may achieve any of the following outcomes:
- Improve neighbourhood safety, participation and mobility
- Beautify the neighbourhood
- Improve community connections and understanding between neighbours
- Encourage diversity and inclusion
- Enhance or expand green space