PB is a way for people to decide how local funds are spent. A bi-annual source of community funding given directly from North Ayrshire Council to community members in need of a financial boost to realise their ambitions.

Youth groups, community organisations or projects in need of funding can apply here.

This year, for the first time ever, the council has an extra cash boost from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund to provide the chance to apply for more money than ever before.

With a sum of £198,377 overall, the funding up for grabs is split into three different categories – Youth PB, Locality PB and funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – a UK Government funding stream helping to boost pride and prosperity across all localities.

The funding opportunities will be aimed at supporting individuals, communities and local organisations to make positive changes in their area, changes that will have an impactful ripple effect as the council empowers local people to prioritise ideas and projects that matter most to them, while ensuring newer groups, who perhaps haven’t applied before, aren’t left behind.

Councillor Alan Hill, cabinet member for islands and communities, said: “In the last round of PB we had an incredible 128 groups benefitting from £109,777. But for the next round, we want to encourage more individuals and community organisations than ever before to apply – not just the same friendly faces that we help year on year.

“We are welcoming applications from all eligible North Ayrshire youth and adult community organisations and will deal with each application individually and on its own merits. And, we do of course encourage those who have already benefited in previous rounds to come back again this time round with new ideas. Everyone is welcome, we simply want to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Councillor Hill added: “The really exciting thing about this round is of course the incredible cash injection from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund - in this category, applications will be accepted from organisations working together, enabling them to apply for up to £5,000.

“An example could be two groups interested in climate change with a common goal or several groups working on similar projects who want to host a spotlight event or fact-finding trip. It’s a fantastic funding source for partnership working…”

Local groups and organisations can apply until midnight on Monday 11 September for their chance to access funding for vital projects across the Garnock Valley, Irvine, Kilwinning, Three Towns, Arran and North Coast localities.​