Access to industry standard recording studio equipment, alcohol and drugs awareness training for young footballers, and free tennis sessions for school pupils are just a few of the projects young people are set to benefit from as the winning projects were unveiled for Renfrewshire’s Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund.
The 2024 round of funding saw over 58 projects designed and submitted by young people aged 12-25 and community groups who work with that age group across Renfrewshire.
Over 1000 votes were cast by young people for their favourite projects, with the funding allocated to the projects receiving the most votes in each of the seven local partnership areas.
Erskine Arts received funding through Celebrating Renfrewshire for two projects that will provide young people with the opportunity to learn and play music in an industry standard music studio and provide employment to young people within the group itself. Community Development Manager Jason Watson said: “We are so grateful to all the young people who voted for us, both projects are going to make such a massive difference to the young people who attend our programme and hopefully attract new people to our charity.
“When we told our regular young people of our success, it was instantly clear how excited they all were with the news and their sense of self achievement for having voted and encouraging friends to vote.
“The projects will give our young people meaningful ownership over our music space and allow some young people to start earning money whilst gaining skills in a working environment through employment with us, something we simply could not do without Celebrating Renfrewshire.”
Launched in 2019, Celebrating Renfrewshire empowers young people to make decisions that will benefit and enhance their local communities.
The fund was facilitated by Renfrewshire Council’s Community Planning and Community Learning and Development teams who engaged with and supported a steering group of young people responsible for setting the guidance for the fund and reviewing applications as they were received.
Renfrewshire Council’s Young Person’s Champion, Councillor Bruce MacFarlane, said: “Celebrating Renfrewshire offers local young people a real chance to choose what they think is most needed and to make a positive difference to their own, and their friends, lives.
“Young people are at the heart of this process and it’s fantastic to see young people across Renfrewshire bring their ideas to the table and receive their funding. I also want to say thank you to the young people who have given up their time to be part of the steering group. Your contribution is essential, and I hope you’ve gained valuable experience through the process that will help you in the future.
“Congratulations to everyone successful in gaining funding this year. I can’t wait to see this investment make a real difference to our young people and communities”.
For more information, including a full list of the winning projects, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/CelebratingRenfrewshire