MSP hails investment in Dunblane youth project

A Dunblane youth project has benefited from a £1.5 million scheme to give people more power to make decisions directly on spending in their area.

The Scottish Government’s Community Choices Fund is targeted at work in deprived areas, and for the first time community groups as well as public authorities, including local authorities, were able to apply for funding to organise their own events and projects.

The fund received over 100 applications. Among the 16 successful community schemes was the Dunblane Young People’s Project for which a group of young people aged 12 to 16 was supported, primarily by Youth Services, to fund two youth projects from a total budget of £65,000.

Local Government and Housing Minister Kevin Stewart MSP said:“It’s the commitment of this government to give communities more control to shape their futures.

“I am delighted to see communities applying for Community Choices funding and to read about the innovative and creative ways communities are working to address the issues that are important to the people in their community.

“It is also pleasing to see that we have engagement with Community Choices right across the country from Shetland to the Scottish Borders.”

The Community Choices Fund builds on the Scottish Government investment in participatory budgeting over the last two years. More information about participatory budgeting is available at: http://pbscotland.scot