Young people across Renfrewshire have just over two weeks left to decide which local projects should get a share of almost £150,000 from this year’s Celebrating Renfrewshire fund.

Celebrating Renfrewshire is a fund designed by and for young people. Anyone aged 12 to 25 who lives, goes to school or works in Renfrewshire can vote, and voting is open online until Sunday 8 November.

Plenty of ideas, limited money

Groups had until 8 September to apply, and a report going to councillors next week says 85 project ideas came in, together worth almost £265,000. That is well over the money available, so young people’s votes will decide which projects go ahead.

The money is split across Renfrewshire’s seven local partnership areas: Paisley East (£24,095), The Villages (£23,609), Johnstone and Linwood (£21,697), Paisley North West and Central (£21,133), Erskine, Inchinnan, Bishopton and Langbank (£20,288), Gleniffer (£19,861) and Renfrew (£18,657).

Most groups could ask for up to £3,500. Groups working in The Villages, Gleniffer and Paisley East, which were identified as having fewer activities for young people, could apply for up to £5,000. Projects on this year’s ballot include bids from youth football and Girls’ Brigade groups, community centres, youth councils and arts organisations.

What young people asked for

This year’s priorities were set by young people themselves through a consultation earlier in the year. They are physical and mental health and wellbeing, safety in schools and communities, the cost of living, better youth and community spaces, and more things to do.

How to vote

Votes are cast on the council’s Community Choices website, renfrewshire.communitychoices.scot. Young people sign in with their National Entitlement Card (Young Scot) number and choose their local partnership area, which can be where they live or where they go to school. They then read through the projects for that area, pick up to three, and confirm their choices by clicking ‘See your votes’.

Youth groups and organisations that want to help their members take part can email celebratingren@renfrewshire.gov.uk for a support pack and voting guidance.

Votes will be checked between 9 and 16 November, and the winning projects are expected to run over the months that follow. The results are due to be announced at an event organised by young people.

Image: County Square and Paisley Town Hall, paisley.org.uk media library.