Communities across County Durham are once again set to benefit from the Your Money, Your Area, Your Views Community Grants Fund.
The fund, which is being made available through Durham County Council’s Area Action Partnerships (AAPs), has proven to be very popular with over 500 local groups and organisations applying for a share of the half a million pound.
The decision on who gets the money will be made by members of the public who will get to vote on their favourite projects at AAP forum events, being held in a number of locations right across County Durham during October and November.
At the events, projects local to the AAP, will be showcasing what they do and what they’d like the money for.  After viewing the projects people will be asked to complete a ballot paper and vote for which they liked the most.
This approach, known as ‘participatory budgeting’, has been tried in several areas in the past but this is the first time that it has happened right across County Durham.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “I’m delighted so many local organisations have applied to the Community Grants Fund.  It shows how vibrant the community and voluntary sector is in County Durham.  This is a great opportunity for them to receive much needed funding but also to show people in their area the fantastic work they are doing in their community.”
Events are being held across the county, so no matter where you live you will have the opportunity to vote on projects that will benefit your community.
Cllr Stephens added: “At the events we’ll also be asking people to tell us what they think the priorities are for the local area and there will also be a chance for people to have their say on how they think the council’s budget should look in the future”.
You can find more information on all of the events by visiting www.durham.gov.uk/aap, emailing aap@durham.gov.uk or calling 03000 262 056.