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NEW FUNDING HAS been secured for Moray groups through the Scottish Government’s ‘Community Choices’ program.

Moray was at the forefront of Participatory Funding – now the region has been allocated an additional £60,000 for distribution to community groups in the region under the theme of ‘health and wellbeing for all ages’.

The definition of health and wellbeing, according to the World Health Organisation, is “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Money for Moray will therefore being looking to allocated funding to projects that are sustainable and will ensure people are able to look after and improve their own health and wellbeing. They will also seek projects that can show they are providing additional or new services.

Grant funding of between £200 and £4,000 is available and the application process opens on January 15. All completed application forms must be submitted by 5pm on February 16.

Application forms can be downloaded or by EMail from enquiries@moneyformoray.org. Hard copies of the application can be obtained by telephoning 01343 843025 and leaving a message for Anita Milne.

Funding allocations will be decided at the public event being held on Sunday, March 18 in the Grant Hall, Rothes.

Participatory budgeting is now being used across Scotland as a means of communities making democratic decisions about funding for their areas. Some of the benefits of using this model include an increase in participation in democracy and volunteering and a stronger community engagement process between communities and statutory agencies.

Moray is the first area in Scotland to run a participatory budgeting process led by an entirely voluntary Working Group made up of 15 very committed volunteers.