The City of London is excited to announce the launch of the 2024 annual Neighbourhood Decision Making program. Through this program, Londoners can submit ideas to improve their local neighbourhood for a chance to make their idea a reality. New this year, the program has been enhanced to further improve equity and participation, building on the record-setting number of idea submissions in 2023. Program enhancements include expanded engagement strategies with additional support for idea submission, updated geographic boundaries for better population distribution, and a revised voting process allowing residents to vote for one larger idea and up to three smaller ideas.
A total of $250,000 is available through the program to enhance neighbourhoods across the city. Individual projects can receive up to $30,000 in funding. Some examples of project ideas include community art, neighbourhood events, public ping pong or chess tables, bike parking and tree planting, to name a few. Londoners are encouraged to submit their own project ideas, big or small, since they know their neighbourhoods best!
How can Londoners make their ideas a reality?
Here is how Londoners can bring their ideas to life:
- Come up with an idea that will make your neighbourhood even better. For inspiration, review the idea booklet.
- Submit your idea through the City’s engagement portal, Get Involved London. You will be asked to give some background information on your idea.
- If your idea is viable, City staff will work with you to finalize it before voting begins in the fall.
- Ahead of the voting period, promote your idea in your neighbourhood – create flyers, go door-to-door and post on social media to get the word out.
- During the voting period from Monday, November 4 to Saturday, November 9, Londoners will vote on the ideas they want implemented in their neighbourhood. Voting will take place in-person, over the phone and online.
- If your idea gets enough votes to win, City staff work with you to make it a reality!
"The Neighbourhood Decision Making program gives Londoners the power to directly improve their communities," says Mayor Josh Morgan. "With this year’s enhancements, submitting and supporting great ideas is easier than ever. I can’t wait to see the projects that will enhance our city's vibrancy and spirit."
“The Neighbourhood Decision Making program is a fantastic opportunity for residents to influence the development and enhancement of their communities directly," says Cheryl Smith, Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services. "We are thrilled to see the creativity and passion Londoners bring to this initiative each year, and we are committed to providing the support needed to turn their innovative ideas into reality."
For more details related to Neighbourhood Decision Making, including idea submission criteria, a list of past winning projects and the timeline for this year’s program, please visit Get Involved London.
In 2023, the program received 330 ideas and a record number of 12,233 votes were cast to decide which projects would share in a total of $250,000 in funding. The winning ideas in 2023 included outdoor exercise equipment in Gibbons Park, tree planting at St. Nicholas Catholic School and a half-basketball court in Jesse Davison Park.
Have a question, want to fill out a paper copy of the idea submission form or need support with your submission? Call 519-661-5336 or email neighbourgood@london.ca and a member of our NeighbourGood team will provide more details.