Don’t miss deadline for grant money

Local groups and organisations are reminded that the deadline to apply for funding of up to £1200 as part of the latest round of‘ participatory budgeting’ is fast approaching.

The closing date for applications for grants for groups in the area that would like to develop activities that address issues such as social isolation, deprivation, community transport, young people or the environment is February 24.

The projects should address local inequalities, benefit as many people as possible from across the community, meet a need that is not currently being met and take place before the end of March next year.

If a project matches the criteria specified for the area, applicants will be invited to present it at a community event at Coupar Angus Primary School on Saturday, March 25 where residents will be able to vote for the projects they would like to see funded.

A similar event was held in Rattray last November which saw six services that will support adults with health and social care needs chosen by local people living in the area to receive a funding boost totalling £16,000.

Among the applications that gained funding then were the Friendship Café, Hope Park House’s Hope Horizons project, Strathmore Complementary Therapies, Community Sing, the community garden at the Community Connect building in Rattray and the Ericht Allotment Association.

The Eastern Perthshire Decides project is organised by the Eastern Perthshire Action Partnership, one of five that have been set up in the region with the aim of tackling inequalities facing residents in the area and helping services and communities work better together.

Perth and Kinross Council and the Scottish Government have both contributed funding so that the Action Partnerships can support community projects which reduce local inequalities.

For further information and to download application forms, see the website at www.pkc.gov.uk/communityplanning or contact John Corrigan on 01250 871351.