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THE INKWELL IN ELGIN will tomorrow host an event that is of vital importance for several community groups seeking to net a share of a £24,000 funding pot.

Votes from members of the public can be made when attending the participatory funding session ‘The Big Vote’ organised by tsiMORAY from 2pm until 4.30pm on Thursday (December 7).

Those who cannot attend can still take part in the voting by going online to www.tsimoray.org.uk/youchoose

This round of participatory budgeting is aimed at addressing inequalities and improving health and wellbeing in relation to the themes of Drugs and Alcohol and Mental Health Innovation. The initiative, facilitated by tsiMORAY, is jointly funded by Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnership and the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Innovation Fund via the Moray Mental Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

Residents aged 11 years and over can cast up to five votes on the projects being considered for funding in a process that provides members of the community with the opportunity to vote for those that they think will bring the most benefit to their communities.

It also highlights the wide range of fantastic groups across Moray and the work they do. Elidh Brown, Community Development Officer Drugs and Alcohol, tsiMORAY, said “This is the first time people in Moray have been able to vote digitally during one of our PB processes.

“This is a wonderful opportunity and we want to draw on local knowledge and opinions to ensure funds are spent on what matters to local people.”