The City is excited to announce that after a year on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Londoners will yet again be able to share ideas to improve their neighbourhoods in the fourth city-wide Neighbourhood Decision Making program.
What do Londoners want in their neighbourhoods? That’s the question at the heart of this process. Bee pollinator gardens? Outdoor workout equipment? An ice rink? Community artwork? A community information board? There are so many possibilities to improve your neighbourhood through this program.
Through Neighbourhood Decision Making, Londoners are invited to submit project ideas to improve their local communities, rally their neighbourhoods to vote for their ideas and see the winning ideas come to life through City-funding. Residents are the experts, and through this program, can play an active role in bringing locally driven projects to life.
“Neighbourhood Decision Making is a program that engages, empowers and connects residents by bringing neighbours together to support community-driven projects that enhance and strengthen their neighbourhoods, but it is also an example of participatory budgeting,” says Karen Oldham, manager of neighbourhood development and support. “Funded projects can really make a neighbourhood come alive and make it a better place for neighbours to live and connect with one another.”
Starting today, residents can submit project ideas online at getinvolved.london.ca/NDM. Idea submissions will be accepted until September 21, 2021. After the submission deadline, ideas will be reviewed by City staff for feasibility, working with residents to develop their idea into a one-page proposal making sure it is possible to implement the proposed idea. A community vote will take place online on November 6, 2021. Any London resident can vote.
Those who would like to fill out a paper copy of the idea submission form can contact 519-661-5336 or email neighbourgood@london.ca.
“Every great neighbourhood initiative begins with an idea - be it a celebration, a rejuvenated playground or community garden,” says Mayor Ed Holder. “But some ideas need a bit of cash to come to life. That’s why the Neighbourhood Decision Making program is Londoners’ key to unlocking the potential of their neighbourhood. This program is a great opportunity for all Londoners, of any age or demographic, to help foster a sense of belonging in their communities.”
Through this annual program, a total of $250,000 is available to enhance neighbourhoods across the city, giving Londoners an opportunity to decide how to spend a portion of the public budget in their neighbourhood. This year, individual neighbourhood projects can reach up to $30,000.
In 2019, the program received an overwhelmingly positive response, with over 200 ideas submitted and more than 10,300 Londoners casting ballots to decide which projects would share in a total of $250,000 in funding.
Have a question or want support for your submission? Call 519-661-5336 or email neighbourgood@london.ca and a member of our neighbourhood team will provide more details.