Community groups in Helensburgh and Lomond have only a few days left to submit applications for money from Argyll and Bute Council's Supporting Communities Fund.
Groups can apply for up to £2,500 per project or event. The closing date for the return of completed applications is Monday, January 22.
This year, for the first time, members of the public will have the chance to vote for their chosen project(s) – councillors on the Helensburgh and Lomond area committee will meet in March to decide which local applications have met the criteria for the fund, and those agreed to have done so will go forward to the vote, which will be held in April.
Twenty-nine community groups, from Helensburgh, Rhu, Cardross, Kilcreggan, Arrochar and Rosneath, have submitted ideas for potential projects ahead of making a formal application for support.
They include the Rhu and Shandon Gala, the Gareloch Riding for the Disabled Association, the Bicentenary Pipe Band Championship and the Cove and Kilcreggan Stay and Play group.
Cllr Robin Currie, the authority's policy lead for communities, said: “We are particularly keen to encourage new groups with fresh ideas to apply. This fund is a great opportunity for people to stand up and make a difference to their local area. I would urge anyone with an idea to apply today - don’t lose out.”
The public vote forms part of the council's plans to extend 'participatory budgeting' in Argyll and Bute, with the aim of having 1 per cent of the council's budget distributed in such a way by 2020.
A potential funding pot of £28,072 is expected to be available from the fund in Helensburgh and Lomond, and when the vote takes place, people will be able to vote for a number of projects until they've allocated the full fund available for the area.
Applications forms can be found at argyll-bute.gov.uk/council-and-government/third-sector-grants.
Advice and support on funding is available from the council’s community development team. For more information in Helensburgh and Lomond, email communitydevelopment@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call community development officer Kirsty Moyes on (01436) 657635.
Read more about the 29 projects who have submitted ideas so far at https://argyll-bute.yrpri.org/group/1247
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