Community gets say in £300,000 pot for projects around Kirkcaldy

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A new community group has been set up to decide how £300,000 is best spent across the Kirkcaldy area.

The money came from Fife Council’s Community Recovery Fund (CRF) it it is now open to ideas and applications from local organisations.

The steering group set up to give local people a real say in how the money is allocated met last month to get the initiative underway. The fund is open to community led projects designed to empower and benefit Kirkcaldy, Dysart, Burntisland, Kinghorn, Auchtertool and Puddledub.

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The group will also set the criteria on which any funding is allocated, and it is currently organising a series of workshops for local people to discuss ideas and select which projects will then go to a public vote.

The steering group meets for the first time (Pic: Fife Council)The steering group meets for the first time (Pic: Fife Council)
The steering group meets for the first time (Pic: Fife Council)

Applications are welcome from projects which cover the priorities around People and Place in Fife Council’s current ‘Plan 4 Kirkcaldy Area’ - this includes those designed to help with the cost-of-living crisis; support early intervention and crisis prevention in communities and initiatives aimed at bolstering local economies and skills.

Projects and ideas are also sought around further enhancing Kirkcaldy town centre and the Esplanade; those helping build a sense of pride, identity and safer communities and ideas to improve the area’s outdoor places andsSpaces.

Applications across broader themes including health and wellbeing, building community spirit and green initiatives combating climate change will also be considered. Local projects will be able to apply for funding ranging from £500 to £15,000.

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Councillor Ian Cameron, Kirkcaldy Area Committee convenor said: “You Decide” provides a great opportunity for local people to get involved, and make their voices heard by deciding how public money is spent on projects they choose which are aimed at making a positive difference to the communities where they live and work.

“It is a wonderful example of local democracy in action; the council working in collaboration with our communities, for mutual benefit. I look forward to seeing what eventual projects come out of this and then, of course, the positive impact they will invariably have for the Kirkcaldy area’s future.”

The group is chaired by Paul McGhie, who said: “It is great to be involved in this initiative from the cthat gives local people and groups a chance to support and enhance their communities. Everyone on the steering group is excited and hopeful that some brilliant ideas will come forward and be developed into successful projects.”

Deadline for funding applications is December, 2024. An agreed shortlist of potential projects will then be announced the following January before going to the public vote in early March, with results then announced later that month.

All successful projects will then be expected to spend any allocated funding within 12 months of receiving their grant award.

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