The Community Investment Fund was set up in 2018/19 to support community-led projects and since then, more than £2.4 million has been invested in over 500 projects tackling inequalities and improving the quality of life.

This year’s fund opens for applications on July 22 and closes on Friday, September 6.

Funding will be administered on a ward-by-ward basis, with panels set up in each area to determine applications.

Councillor Tom McEwan, convener of Perth and Kinross Council’s Housing and Wellbeing Committee, said: “The best people to identify what their communities need are the people who live there.

“As a council, we are committed to working with communities across Perth and Kinross to improve the lives of people who live here.

“Since 2018 we have invested more than £2.4 million in community-led projects and these have made real differences to the lives of our residents.

“I am sure we will see some fantastic applications over the coming weeks.”

Once grants from the Community Investment Fund have been allocated, community groups will have the chance to bid for funding when a new round of Participatory Budgeting starts in the New Year.

Following the success of last year’s Green Living Fund, community groups will be able to bid for a share of £100,000 to develop projects that tackle poverty and the cost-of-living crisis.

The fund will be targeted at four areas with the highest levels of income deprivation: Old Scone, Central & North Perth, Rattray, South Crieff and Coupar Angus, Meigle & Alyth

Members of the public will be able to vote for the projects they wish to see receiving funding, with the winners announced in March 2025.