Three community-led projects including Aberdeen Science Centre have been approved for funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund at a Council meeting today.
The grants are to be given to Aberdeen Science Centre’s Community Engagement (£104,000), the Denis Law Trail (£29,390), and Police Scotland Drugs and Alcohol Education and Resilience project (£11,832).
Finance and Resources Convenor Councillor Alex McLennan said: “It’s exciting to be able to provide this investment to community projects and we’re looking forward to seeing how these develop.
“This is just the latest phase of investment from the Shared Prosperity Fund and we would welcome more applications for projects seeking investment across communities in the city.”
Aberdeen City Council Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill added: “These projects will make a real positive difference for people and communities. It’s good to see a focus on opportunities for young people in many of them.”
This Aberdeen Science Centre Community Engagement project will deliver workshops and activities on a variety of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) topics for all ages, providing opportunities to learn STEM skills as well as social skills.
The Denis Law Legacy Trust have developed a project to create a Denis Law Trail in Printfield, featuring interactive signposts and artwork to inspire young people to play football, and to celebrate the legacy of a local hero. Funding will cover phase one of the project to install and promote the first nine signposts.
The Police Scotland Drugs and Alcohol Education and Resilience project is a partnership between Police Scotland and the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation (DSMF), and will run a pilot engagement programme for schools in the North East featuring interactive drug and alcohol awareness workshops for children, parents and carers, teacher training, resources for schools, and performances of a theatre in education show.
The UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund started last year and invited local councils to apply for funding for projects across three areas - community and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. Following a successful application, funding worth up to £7.1million was allocated to Aberdeen City Council for an initial three year period.