Perth & Kinross Council has agreed to focus participatory budgeting on four localities that face significant challenges and have a need for targeted community investment.

The £100,000 funding will be split over four targeted localities as follows:

• Central and North Perth: £47,837
• Coupar Angus, Meigle, and Alyth: £18,846
• South Crieff: £16,625
• Rattray: £16,690 

Bids must be community-led and focus on tackling poverty and alleviating the cost of living crisis in these areas. Applications can be made online now.

Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate how they will target these localities, though some beneficiaries may come from outside these areas.

Applications can also include costs towards upskilling and resourcing volunteers to support the delivery of projects aimed at tackling poverty and the cost of living.

Before submitting a proposal, groups may wish to seek advice from Community Learning and Development (CLD) staff, who are organizing a series of support sessions across the four localities in January.

More information about these sessions will be released in due course.

Councillor Tom McEwan, convenor of Perth and Kinross Council’s Housing and Wellbeing Committee said: “The Locality PB Fund is a great opportunity for community groups to access much-needed resources to combat poverty and alleviate the cost of living pressures.

“I am looking forward to seeing the innovative and impactful projects that will benefit from this funding and I encourage all community groups to apply and be part of this important project.”

The deadline for bids is week-beginning 3 February 2025. These will be screened and eligible bids applications will then be put to the public vote, with the successful bids announced on 7 March 2025.