Community Choices Fund announced for 2017/18
/The Community Choices Fund has now closed - become a member of the PB Scotland Network to hear the latest.
Orignal articles follows.
First launched in 2016/17, the Community Choices Fund is a new fund to support participatory budgeting (PB) in Scotland. PB is recognised internationally as a way for local people to have a direct say in how public funds can be used to address local needs. Targeted particularly at work in deprived areas, the fund aims to build on the support provided by the Scottish Government for PB since 2014 as part of a broader agenda around democratic innovation and engaged citizenship.
Community Choices supports one of the principles of Public Service Reform, that people should have equal opportunity to participate and have their voice heard in decisions shaping their local community and society. It complements the Scottish Government’s aspirations for the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 which will help give communities more powers to take forward their own ambitions.
Elsewhere on this website you can read about community choices events held in 2016/17, policy and resources in Scotland, and examples, pictures and videos of Community Choices in action.
To continue to support the growth of PB in Scotland the Community Choices Fund is available again for 2017/18.
Fund for Applications - 2017/18
£1.5 million of the Community Choices Fund is available in two categories of £750,000 each. Category one for Public Authorities which includes Local Authorities and other Public Bodies. Category two for Community Organisations and Community Councils. The fund’s aim is to support PB activity which will significantly expand opportunities for more local people to make decisions on local spending priorities and contribute to local participatory democracy. The closing date for applications is midnight 21 July 2017.
For more information and how to apply, visit the Community Choices Fund page on the Scottish Government website.
Questions
If you have any questions about the fund please email: community.empowerment@gov.scot
