FAQ

Transforming Public Spaces Challenge is an ideas contest open to anyone in the Darwin region with an idea for creating, improving or activating our city's public spaces. We are looking for your best ideas to make our city more walkable, greener or activated. No idea is too small or too big, but all ideas must be in Darwin city (between the Waterfront and Cullen Bay, bounded by McMinn Street and The Esplanade). The way you do that is totally up to you!

Activate Darwin will invest $200,000 to make the top ideas a reality. 

No idea is a bad idea.

If your idea meets the objectives Activate Darwin is focused on and is achievable, it’s in with a chance!

Because we’re talking about public spaces, there may be permits and other authorisations needed, and you’ll need to consider all of that as you develop the project. It is your responsibility to get all the required permission so it’s a good idea to think about what might be needed before you put your submission in.

Anyone can put forward ideas, you just have to live in the Northern Territory: individuals, groups, for-profit companies, non-profit organisations or government agencies. Remember though – if you’re suggesting it, we’re looking for you to implement it.

Yes. If your idea is selected as a winner, you will receive technical support, mentorship and assistance from Activate Darwin.

If you’re selected as a winner, it’s your responsibility to organise, plan and implement the project. Our goal is to build momentum and progress in Darwin City through the Transforming Public Spaces Challenge, so we’re looking to fund projects that will be able to be completed quickly.

Yes you can, but your idea won’t be included as part of the voting phase, as we do want to work collaboratively with the person/group that submits the idea.

But if your idea is something that the Activate Darwin Boards thinks we should consider, we might implement it at a later stage. By submitting the idea and not being involved, you’re agreeing to let us investigate it further and possibly take it forward.

Yes. There is no limit to the number of ideas you can submit.

The idea submission phase closes on Monday, 30 September, 2019 at 12pm. Then, the Activate Darwin Board will select the top finalists from ideas submitted online, that will progress to the public vote phase.

There’s not a specific number – it depends on the cost of the most popular ideas.

During the voting phase, ideas will be ranked based on the number of votes they receive. Activate Darwin will fund the most popular ideas and work down the list until the funds are exhausted.

If your project is shortlisted, then get out there and promote it to encourage people to vote for it. The more votes a shortlisted project receives, the better chance it has of being funded. We’ll be using #activatedarwinchallenge to promote the challenge through our social media channels.

Winning ideas will receive a share of $200,000. The maximum grant size is $20,000.

Answer the questions on the submission form and drop a pin on the map showing us exactly where your idea would be implemented. Don’t forget to consider any approvals that will be required and think about how you will get those if your project is successful in the Challenge.

Come to one of our Challenge workshops.
 You can also email questions to activate.darwin@nt.gov.au and we’ll get back to you!