Idea submissions are now open!

The City of London is excited to announce the launch of the 2024 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!

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

What geographic area is my idea in?

Search for the address where your idea will take place using our map: NDM Geographic Area Selection