Belfast Healthy Cities has launched the 2025 Explorer Bursary, offering a unique opportunity for professionals working in health, wellbeing and urban development to travel to a WHO European Healthy City and explore innovative approaches to tackling transport poverty.

Now open for applications, the bursary supports individuals from Belfast’s community, voluntary and public sectors to visit another city within the WHO European Healthy Cities Network. The study visit allows participants to learn first-hand how other cities are addressing issues of transport access, affordability, active travel, and equitable mobility – all key contributors to health inequalities.

This year’s theme, “Tackling Transport Poverty” responds to growing recognition of how inadequate transport can restrict access to healthcare, education, work, and social opportunities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable in society.

Charlene Brooks, CEO of Belfast Healthy Cities, said:

“Transport is one of the most critical social determinants of health. Through this year’s bursary, we want to equip people working in Belfast with new ideas, evidence and approaches that can support solutions to transport poverty locally. We’re excited to see where our 2025 Explorer will go and what they’ll bring back.”

Past bursary recipients have travelled to cities such as Copenhagen, Barcelona and Utrecht to study initiatives like dementia-friendly design, child-focused planning, and public health interventions.

The bursary covers travel, accommodation and subsistence for a study visit of up to three nights. Applicants are asked to outline how the trip will enhance their work and contribute to Belfast’s WHO Healthy City priorities, including health equity, urban planning, and sustainability.

To find out more visit https://www.belfasthealthycities.com/explorerbursary/