Funding up for grabs in regeneration areas

15 February 2017

A community orchard, digital workshops, a new dog park, cookery classes and street art are just some of the activities residents can vote to introduce to their area.

Groups in three locality areas across the city have submitted more than 140 ideas and projects to Aberdeen City Council’s UDECIDE programme which aims to give people in Aberdeen a greater say in what key community-led projects are available in their neighborhood.

During Dragon’s Den style pitches and shop floor exhibitions, community groups and organisations will compete for votes from local residents to win a share of the £82,500 available for their area.

The first event took place for the Northfield, Mastrick, Cummings Park, Middlefield and Heathryfold area on 4 February and voting is now open through the Participare website - https://aberdeen.participare.io. Groups presented ideas such as cooking classes, a community garden, support for a robotics, 3D design and printing training programme and Reiki classes.

Groups in Seaton, Woodside and Tillydrone will begin to showcase their ideas on February 15 at Aberdeen Lads Club, including a bid for a school trip to Barcelona, local mental health services and a mini market at Seaton Park. There will also be events on 18 February at Woodside Community Centre (11am – 2pm) and Seaton Learning Centre on Thursday 23 February (1 – 4pm).

In Torry, residents can attend an event on 25 February at Torry Academy between 11am and 2pm, where they can hear about ideas such as a beach clean-up, sports leadership courses and fun family day trips. Voting via the website for this area will then be open until 11 March.

Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “It’s been really exciting to see the ideas groups across the city have come up with. We have had proposals for sport and creative projects, family outings and activities, ventures such as skills development workshops and well-being projects suitable for all ages.

“All of our participatory budgeting projects have really captured the imagination of residents in the city. Aberdeen City Council is committed to encouraging further engagement with local communities and by working closely with neighbourhoods we will identify new ideas that will enhance the lives of those living in these areas.

The successful projects in each locality will be announced in March, visit https://aberdeen.participare.io for more information.