Apply now for funding for projects in Inverness West

Building on the success of the Inverness West Participatory Budgeting process in June 2016, the Inverness West Ward Councillors have agreed to distribute £10,000 of their ward discretionary budget via a Participatory Budget. Charleston Community Foundation have also agree to donate £1000 to the fund. Groups can apply for grants from £100 to £1000. Participatory budging is the process that lets local communities decide how funding is spent on what they think will make their local area a better place.

Projects put forward can be large or small, add value to existing projects or be something completely new. Whether you want to organise a healthy living project, start a new fitness group, put on a lunch club for older residents – all applications are welcome as long as the project supports local people in Inverness West ward.

Representatives from the projects that meet the eligibility criteria will be asked to present their ideas to members of the public who will then cast their votes during a special event held on Saturday 28 October.

Councillor Graham Ross said “Last year, eleven groups who put their projects forward were successful and have received funding to help put their ideas into action. The Community event was a superb showcase of all the great work that voluntary and community groups do in the area. Having an event like this is more than just a new way of allocating funding. The real benefits are engaging local people, reaching new groups, funding new and different projects and creating an opportunity for the community to come together.”

Councillor Alex Graham said “We are excited about running another Participatory Budgeting event in Inverness West, especially after the success last year. The process is designed by a local organising group who are keen to explore the potential of the process to engage a range of people in decision making while bringing the community together.

Councillor Bill Boyd added: “This is an exciting opportunity for the people who actually live here to decide directly for ourselves how ward funding is spent locally. With grants available from £100 through to £1000 this will hopefully encourage some new and exciting ideas to benefit the area. The fund is open to any local community, voluntary or non-profit organisations and informal groups that are based in the area.

Full details and the application forms are now available on the Highland Council Website.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 29 September.