Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Participatory Budgeting Steering Group are inviting members of the public to vote for which of 68 projects they would like to see benefit from a share of the total regional funding pot of £200,000.
In Annandale and Eskdale a total of 14 groups have put projects forward for consideration.
Participatory budgeting is a method of allocating funding which has been used in Dumfries and Galloway over the last two years. Groups are given funding according to the number of public votes they receive. For this year the Steering Group decided that the third phase of funding would tackle poverty-related outcomes including rural isolation, fuel poverty, food and eating, financial planning and wellbeing and skills development.
Dumfries and Galloway Council Communities Committee chairman Andy Ferguson said: “It is vital that we work together with local groups to tackle poverty in our local communities and give people a say in how we choose which projects will be awarded funding. The two rounds of Participatory Budgeting funding which have been allocated to date have proven to deliver high levels of support exactly where it is needed and we know that this round of funding will continue to get to the heart of helping our most vulnerable individuals and families.”
Anyone over the age of 12 is eligible to vote, either online before April 4 or in person at one of the public voting events. Online voting registration and information can be found at www.dga.communitychoices.scot.
Public voting events in Annandale and Eskdale will take place at the following venues. March 28 – Annan Academy, 11 am – 2.30 pm; Lockerbie Academy 11 am – 2.30 pm. April 4 – Langholm Academy, 11 am – 2.30 pm.
