Ballymena pupils take centre stage as groundbreaking schools project wins all-Ireland award

A pioneering, youth-led programme giving Ballymena pupils real power over funding decisions has scooped a major all-Ireland award — and in doing so, showcased a new model of democracy in action.

The Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme was named winner of the Community Champions Award at the Chartered Institute of Housing All-Ireland Housing Awards in Belfast on Friday evening, recognising its transformative impact on young people and local communities.

A first-of-its-kind initiative in Northern Ireland

Launched two years ago, the programme is the first participatory budgeting initiative ever delivered within schools in Northern Ireland.

Delivered through a partnership between Radius Housing, Hare’s Corner Co-operative and five Ballymena secondary schools, the project puts decision-making power directly into the hands of pupils — allowing them to design, develop and vote on how funding is spent in their own schools.

Now in its second year, the initiative continues to expand, with new partners Politics in Action and the Electoral Commission joining the programme to deepen civic learning and engagement.

Karin Eyben from Hare’s Corner Co-operative explained:

“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… ensuring the process is genuinely youth-led and responsive to the needs and priorities of young people.”

Breaking barriers and building confidence

Staff and pupils from Dunclug College who took part in Radius Housing’s award-winning Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme

At the heart of the programme is a strong commitment to inclusion — ensuring that every pupil, not just the most confident voices, has the opportunity to be heard.

More than 4,000 pupils and teaching staff have taken part so far, spanning grammar, secondary and special education settings across Ballymena. The result has been meaningful collaboration across backgrounds, faiths and communities.

Lisa Mooney from Radius Housing said:

“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.”

Staff and pupils from Slemish College who took part in Radius Housing’s award-winning Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme

Teachers say the impact has gone far beyond the classroom.

Caron Mulligan from Slemish College noted:

“There was a breaking down of barriers between schools involved… It was encouraging how the schools inspired each other.”

Pupils from Castle Tower School who took part in Radius Housing’s award-winning Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme

While Aoídin Darcy from Castle Tower School highlighted the importance of inclusion:

“Our young people don’t often get the chance to mix… An important lesson is not to limit the opportunities for young people.”

Real decisions, real change

For many pupils, the programme has already delivered tangible results.

At Ballymena Academy, students successfully voted for an additional water fountain — now installed and widely used — alongside Brazilian Jujitsu classes aimed at building confidence and self-defence skills.

Staff and pupils from Ballymena Academy who took part in Radius Housing’s award-winning Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme

Mrs Robinson from the school said:

“Our pupils really enjoyed having an opportunity to express their pupil voice… and being able to cast their votes.”

Another major highlight is the annual “Big Voting Day”, where students present ideas and vote on projects — mirroring real democratic processes.

“It’s given me a voice”

For the pupils themselves, the experience has been transformative.

Members of the student design teams described the programme as empowering and confidence-building:

“Planning and overseeing the first ever whole school voting event has been a highlight for me.”

“Having the opportunity to discover more about politics with others my age has been very useful.”

“PB has truly empowered me… it’s been utterly enlightening.”

Staff and pupils from St Louis Grammar School who took part in Radius Housing’s award-winning Ballymena Schools Participatory Budgeting (PB) Programme

Ms McKendry from St Louis Grammar School added:

“The pupils have become active citizens, shaping the place in which they learn and grow.”

A wider vision for shared communities

The programme is supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive through the Housing for All Shared Housing Programme, rooted in the Executive’s Together: Building a United Community strategy.

It forms part of a wider investment in shared housing and community relations, including a potential £16.8 million investment in the St Patrick’s shared housing development and its associated Good Relations Plan.

Radius Housing, which currently delivers 12 shared housing developments across Northern Ireland, says initiatives like this are key to building stronger, more connected communities.

Amelia Deehan from the Electoral Commission said:

“This programme does exactly that — it makes democracy tangible and empowers pupils to engage in a meaningful way.”

Looking ahead

With new bids already submitted and another Big Voting Day planned for June, the Ballymena Schools PB Programme shows no signs of slowing down.

Its success — now recognised at an all-Ireland level — signals a powerful shift: young people not just learning about democracy, but actively shaping it.

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At a glance

• Ballymena Schools PB Programme wins Community Champions Award in Belfast

• First participatory budgeting initiative delivered in schools in Northern Ireland

• Over 4,000 pupils and staff involved across five local schools

• Pupils design, manage and vote on how funding is spent

• Programme promotes inclusion across backgrounds, faiths and abilities

• Real outcomes include new school facilities and student-led activities

• Supported by Department for Communities and Housing Executive

• Linked to wider shared housing and community cohesion strategy

• £16.8m investment planned for St Patrick’s shared housing development

• Next major milestone: Big Voting Day in June