People power in the East Neuk has enabled 16 local projects to share £20,000 to improve the area and support people in rural poverty.
The Connect East Neuk consultation was organised by Fife Council to involve people in local decision-making and used a new online voting system whereby residents could vote for what initiatives they would like to see cash spent on.
That process has come to a close with a special event in the East Neuk Centre in Anstruther, where it was a win-win situation for all concerned.
Four projects were allocated the full amount they requested following the public vote, but it was decided to split what was left equally between the remaining 12 projects due to the high quality of the applications.
Conservative councillor Linda Holt, who represents East Neuk and Landward, said the approach, known as participatory budgeting, gives communities the ability to decide directly where public money can best make a difference.
“All 16 groups are winners, with all the projects receiving funding to go forward,” she said.
“Participatory budgeting has been brilliantly effective in encouraging people of all ages to come up with ideas for addressing real needs in our communities and supporting them as they put these ideas into action.
“A massive well done to the Fife Council community development team in the East Neuk, but above all to our caring, imaginative and energetic communities.”
The big winner was the Our Space project, which was awarded £5,000 to provide a safe space for people experiencing addiction and/or mental health.
Pittenweem Tennis Club, which was established in 1922, now has renewed hope of surviving to reach its centenary thanks to £4,500 towards the replacement of the existing tennis hut which is no longer fit for purpose.
Members had warned that the club might be in difficulty if “urgent action” was not taken to improve the facility.
The Waid Academy Outdoor Learning Community Allotment project, which sees pupils work on the allotments to learn skills and increase confidence, will be given £1,482, while the public vote also saw £1,000 go to the East Neuk Men’s Shed group, which offers opportunities for men to undertake creative, physical and purposeful recreational and community activities.
Fife Council’s community manager for the East Neuk, Janice Laird, said: “We have funded projects that will help us address rural poverty and social isolation and this has been led by those who have the best knowledge of what will work – those living in the East Neuk of Fife.”
