Dunfermline groups attend workshop on £1.2 million funding

The workshop, held in the Dell Farquharson Institute in the city, was held so that ideas could be shared among groups and to encourage them to work together to maximise the use of the £1.2 million.

The recovery fund has been allocated for the City of Dunfermline area to help to support groups, charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations who worked through and would benefit from support following the COVID pandemic.

Convener of the committee Councillor James Calder commented: “I was delighted that the City of Dunfermline received £1.2 million of recovery funding but I also know that it is really important that the wider community is involved in deciding how we spend it.

“The workshop we held with community organisations from across the city was extremely successful and it not only allowed us a forum to discuss ideas, but also gave the organisations a chance to meet and perhaps collaborate on them.

"I was particularly excited to hear about some great ideas for supporting our local environment, tackling poverty and growing our local economy."

A range of projects was discussed at the workshop and consideration was given to how each idea might benefit and contribute to the city. Key criteria for the fund includes links with the Plan 4 Fife and the Local Community Plan (LCP).

Every idea will be considered before the recommendations to the City of Dunfermline area committee are submitted and a further £1 million will be allocated for proposals that cover several areas or would support Fife-wide activity.

Cllr Calder added: "The process is ongoing and we still want to hear about more ideas. This will be an investment in Dunfermline's future so I am keen that any community group who is interested either get in touch with the local team or myself as area convener."

The fund itself will be available for the next two years so decisions do not have to be made on where the money will be allocated at this time.