Published 29 November 2024

Community groups are being invited to bid for up to £2500 to help improve their local area as part of the Council’s Community Budgeting initiative.

Community Budgeting is designed to increase local participation and decision making, with local people having a say in which bids should be successful. 

Now in its seventh phase, the initiative will see a total of £50,000 distributed to groups to invest in projects which will benefit West Dunbartonshire. The scheme is partly funded through UK Shared Prosperity Funding. 

This phase will place a firm focus on addressing food insecurity in West Dunbartonshire and, as part of the criteria, organisations must show how their project meets that objective.

The full list of criteria is available on the website wdn.communitychoices.scot.

Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, Convener of Housing and Communities, said: “Community Budgeting gives local people the chance to have their say on what is important in each area so if anyone has an idea I’d urge them to put it forward.

“I’m looking forward to hearing about the projects bidding this time around.”

Councillor Hazel Sorrell, Vice Convener of Housing and Communities, added: “The cost of living crisis is still having an impact on communities and so the focus on food insecurity is welcome. I am pleased that the community get the chance to decide where this investment will make a difference.”

To apply, for more information on eligibility, please visit wdn.communitychoices.scot

Applications for funding are open until 5pm on Monday 13 January 2025. Completed applications and supporting evidence should be returned to CommunityBudgeting@west-dunbarton.gov.uk 

Following a review of all applications, online voting will be arranged for early 2025.