People living in Aberdeen’s priority neighbourhoods have voted for 23 projects to receive funding to improve their communities thanks to UDECIDE, Aberdeen City Council’s participatory budget programme.
The community projects include First Aid sessions in schools, bicycle repair training, Brownies and Rainbow groups and inter-generational projects. There will also be three projects that have been part-funded.
In January 2025, submissions were invited to apply to UDECIDE for individual projects worth up to £3,000, with up to £20,000 in total available for each of the three localities – North, South and Central.
A total of up to £60,000 was on offer with Aberdeen City Council making £40,000 available through Community Planning Aberdeen and £20,000 through the Fairer Aberdeen Fund.
The Priority Neighbourhoods are:
- North – Northfield, Mastrick, Heathryfold, Cummings Park, Middlefield
- South – Torry, Kincorth
- Central – Tillydrone, Woodside, Seaton, Ashgrove, Stockethill, George Street
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Christian Allard, Chair of Community Planning Aberdeen, said: “UDECIDE enables local communities to choose the projects that best meet their community needs, which is why I am pleased that so many people, young and older, in our priority neighbourhoods have taken the chance to get involved in the process.
“The successful bidders now have a great opportunity to do great things for the people living in our priority neighbourhoods. I wish them every success and look forward to learning more about their future achievements.”
Voting was held at 28 in-person events in the North, South and Central areas and online during February and 1 March 2025.
Proposals had to relate to one or more of the priority outcomes and community ideas detailed within the locality plans. There are three locality plans, one for North, South and Central, which underpin Aberdeen’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP).
David Smith, Project Coordinator, Middlefield Community Project said: “Middlefield Community Project is thrilled to have been awarded UDecide funding for The Generation Games. People of all ages will get to take part in a creative and innovative project that brings all ages and backgrounds together for fun, activity, and learning helping to tackle isolation and to build positive relationships between the whole community.”
A delighted Jaqui Inness, Chairperson of Northfield Community Learning Association, said: “The kids are really happy as they can now go to the skatepark in the evening. We’re really pleased to be allocated the funding for portable lighting.”
Projects will be required to use the funding in the 2025 financial year and will report to a steering group, made up of local people and professionals who will continue to oversaw the process.