The Explorer Bursary allows individuals working in the field of health and wellbeing, including healthy urban planning and design, to visit another WHO European Healthy City or National Network to study their approach to addressing a key issue relating to health inequalities.

The bursary was open to applicants living or working in Belfast from the community, voluntary or public sectors. Previous winners of the bursary have travelled to Copenhagen, Galway and Barcelona.

This year, applications focussed on the theme of ‘Tackling Transport Poverty’. 

Applications to the 2025 Bursary closed on 14 August 2025.

Questions? Email daniel@belfasthealthycities.com 

Belfast Healthy Cities Explorer Bursary 2025: Tackling Transport Poverty

Would you like the opportunity to travel to a WHO European Healthy City to explore innovative solutions to transport poverty?

Belfast Healthy Cities is encouraging applications for its 2025 Explorer Bursary, and this year we are inviting applicants to focus their study visits on Tackling Transport Poverty, a growing issue that intersects with health, equity, accessibility and climate action.

Transport poverty limits access to employment, education, healthcare, food, and community life, disproportionately affecting low-income households, rural residents and individuals with reduced mobility. As a member of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network, Belfast Healthy Cities supports opportunities to learn from cities that are actively addressing this challenge and bringing health equity into urban transport systems.

The bursary is open to individuals living or working in Belfast, from the community, voluntary or public sectors. The successful applicant will visit a WHO Phase VII Healthy City or National Network member, study their work in transport and health equity, and bring learning back to inform and inspire practice in Belfast.

What the Bursary Offers

The Explorer Bursary supports a study visit of up to 3 nights to a WHO European Healthy City or a city within a WHO National Healthy Cities Network. Previous bursary winners have visited cities including Copenhagen, Galway, Barcelona, Utrecht and Glasgow, studying areas such as dementia-friendly communities, child-friendly planning, and alcohol harm reduction.

For 2025, we are particularly interested in projects that explore ‘Transport Poverty’ tackling themes such as:

• Making active travel safe and accessible for all
• Inclusive public transport infrastructure
• Reducing car dependency and improving air quality
• Connecting communities with limited transport links
• Strategies that reduce health inequalities caused by poor access

The maximum bursary value is £2,000. This covers travel, accommodation, subsistence and travel insurance. While only one lead applicant is required, organisations may nominate a second traveller, if it fits within the overall budget.

Bursary criteria 

The following criteria will be applied to the successful application: 

Clear demonstration of how the study visit will contribute to the delivery of the Phase VII (2019 – 2026) goals and core themes of Belfast as a member of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network  

Phase VII Goal: 

• Fostering health and well-being for all and reducing health inequalities 

Applicants must clearly demonstrate how their visit aligns with the Phase VII (2019–2026) goals and themes of the WHO Healthy Cities programme and relates to tackling transport poverty. These themes include:

• Fostering health and well-being for all
• Reducing health inequalities
• Designing urban places that improve health and well-being, including healthy transport
• Greater participation and partnerships for health
• Protecting the planet through sustainable approaches

Applications will be assessed against how well the proposal:

• Aligns with the core 6 Ps of Phase VII (People, Place, Planet, Participation, Prosperity and Peace) and theme of Tackling Transport Poverty
• Adds value to local health equity efforts in Belfast
• Creates opportunities to share learning, including presentations, written reports or digital content

The bursary cannot be used to attend conferences. Applicants affiliated with political parties, Belfast Healthy Cities staff or board members, and their families are not eligible.

Timescales

The closing date for applications was 14th August 2025 (subject to change/extension) and the date that the trip should have taken place by is currently under review.

Should you have any questions, please email daniel@belfasthealthycities.com 

Participants are required to conduct a follow up presentation received by a date to be agreed with Belfast Healthy Cities.

Click here for further information about the WHO Healthy Cities Network.

Previous Visits

Click the years below to find out more about previous Explorer Bursary winners. Please note that in previous years, applicants did not need to relate their projects to tackling transport poverty and this condition only applies to the 2025 Explorer Bursary.

2024 – Learnings from Europe

2019 – Danny Cooper’s Dank U, Danke Schön & Thank You!

2018 – Healthy City Explorer Bursary Study Visit to the Netherlands