Artist encourages community groups to apply for PB
Posted on 6 Sep 2024
The application stage of North Ayrshire Council’s Participating Budgeting scheme is now open, so if you are a community group or local organisation, don’t miss the chance to apply for your projects! But we quick, applications opened on Monday 26 August and close on the 11th September.
With £171,377 funding up for grabs it's worth getting your applications in!
With voting due to commence from October 2024, the funding this year will be part of two funding cycles:
- Locality PB: Health and Wellbeing, Building Community Spirit, Cost of Living, Green Projects
- Youth PB: Youth Voice and Rights, Health and Wellbeing, Cost of Living, Green Projects
A notable project receiving funding from the last rounds was Creative Matters, a recent art workshop series over at North Ayrshire Foodbank – now in its third year running thanks to the Participatory Budgeting fund.
Hosted at the Church of the Nazarene in Ardrossan, the workshops have been delivered by participatory artist Ellie Swanston, a contemporary artist in residence at Irvine Youth Legacy Centre.
The workshops were a great opportunity for local residents to share their life experiences and also enjoy the escapism of worthwhile time spent together in a safe, warm and supportive environment, creating art for the community.
The workshops went down well and Ellie showcased some of the incredible art at a Creative Matters exhibition, earlier last month.
Ellie shares: “My practice is participatory art, so in each of the Creative Matters sessions funded by PB, I was really interested in the journey everyone went through, rather than the finished product, allowing everyone to express themselves freely and at their own pace.
“We’ve now ran two blocks of 6-week classes and the attendance has been brilliant. Everyone has had a chance to hone new skills and feels encouraged to continue learning more in future sessions.
“From litho-printing, to clay sculpting and drawing, there’s been some amazing art created. Without a doubt, I’ll be applying for PB again and encouraging everyone to do the same.
“I am so grateful to Craig Crosthwaite from North Ayrshire Foodbank for putting PB on my radar, and I’m so proud of the participants too and would like to thank them for giving the sessions their all along and taking a chance on something new.
“Even if you feel apprehensive about putting yourself forward for a PB nomination, please take comfort in knowing I did too, I thought no one would vote for me when voting opened, but they did. The response has been amazing!
“Putting myself out there via the Shaping North Ayrshire website has also really helped to raise my profile. The exposure has been great, so it has been a win, win!
“My next ambition is to do fundraising for a kiln for the Creative Matters attendees, so fingers crossed we’ll be successful in the latest participatory budgeting too as this will help us to reach our goals.
“I’m excited for what the future holds and so excited to be able to empower communities with the help of North Ayrshire Foodbank and the latest PB funding cycle.”
Ellie’s workshops encouraged participants to hone new techniques, such as screen-printing and clay modelling.
So - what are you waiting for?! Make your nomination now…
The criteria and nominations form can be accessed via the Shaping North Ayrshire website: Shaping North Ayrshire (communitychoices.scot)
Community and local organisations can make their nominations online until midnight on Friday 13 September.
Rhonda Leith, Head of Service for Connected Communities said: “Participatory Budgeting is based on an ethos of ‘it’s your money, you decide’.
“It is a type of citizen participation where local people are involved in the process of deciding how public money - in this case the Council’s PB budget - is best spent.
“Our residents know better than anyone else which projects will be the most beneficial to them in their local communities, so it is only fair that they have a direct say on how money is spent.
“There’s only one week left for community groups to submit their applications so please don’t miss out! By getting involved in our participatory budgeting cycle, the Council look forward to working together with residents and the groups supporting our communities to raise their profile, provide support and build a thriving North Ayrshire for all.”
To find out more projects that have been successful in previous funding cycles, check out the Shaping North Ayrshire website #ShapingNorthAyrshire