Amazing Spaces, Smart Places

Using data and innovative technologies

Through our Amazing Spaces, Smart Places project, we’re exploring how data and innovative technologies can help us manage our parks and open spaces in Belfast to make these places safe, accessible and enjoyed by everyone. This includes trialling the Civic Dollars app.

Working with small businesses

With funding from the Department for the Economy's Small Business Research Initiative and the Department of Justice's support, we’re working with Moai Digital Ltd and SparroWatch to develop and trial innovative solutions in our parks and open spaces.

Civic Dollars app

We are trialling the Civic Dollars community currency app in various parks starting in Connswater Community Greenway, from 1 June until 31 August 2021. This app allows you to earn ‘Civic Dollars’ for the time you spend in our parks, as well as reporting issues such as vandalism. You can exchange the Civic Dollars you earn for various rewards such as a gym pass, Translink travel card or visitor attraction tickets.

You can also donate your Civic Dollars to a local community group. They can use these for training, professional services and activity centre sessions.

The Civic Dollars app was developed by Moai Digital Ltd.

Why we are trialling the app

The Civic Dollars app encourages people to be more active in our parks and open spaces and improve their lifestyle.

Insights generated through the app, which uses geo-fencing technology and is based on a social cryptocurrency platform, will help us:

• better understand how people use green spaces in the city
• improve park management
• reduce vandalism, littering and anti-social behaviour
• and enhance the visitor experience.

The app also provides a promotional platform for local businesses that want to provide rewards and incentives and support local community groups.

How to get the Civic Dollars app

To take part in the trial:

• download the free Civic Dollars app from the App Store or Google Play Store (these links open in new windows)
• earn one Civic Dollar for every half hour you spend in Connswater Community Greenway (there is a daily limit)
• exchange your Civic Dollars for rewards or donate them to a local community group.

Feedback on using Civic Dollars

To give feedback on using the app or to get more information on Civic Dollars, go to Civic Dollars (link opens in a new window).

Small Business Research Initiative

The Small Business Research Initiative enables the public sector to tap into new ideas and technologies created by innovative local businesses. It also provides innovators with a great opportunity to trial and test their prototype in a supportive real-world environment as part of their product development.