“"Our residents know better than anyone else which projects will be the most beneficial to them in their local communities, so it is only fair that they have a direct say on how money is spent. From art and youth projects to community sports, after school clubs, conservation initiatives, adult learning and spaces for community connection, the £690,888 PB funding distributed in North Ayrshire over the past five years has had a lasting impact, supporting a host of community initiatives and organisations. We are however very aware that there will be local community groups and organisations out there who haven’t had the chance to benefit just yet and it is so important to us that we make sure that no one is left behind. By getting involved in the voting phase of our participatory budgeting cycle, the Council look forward to working together with residents and the groups supporting our communities to raise awareness and provide support where we can support local groups and organisations, helping them to achieve their goals and build a thriving North Ayrshire for all."
North Ayrshire Residents Invited to Vote on £82,185 Community Funding
Voting is now open for 151 projects across North Ayrshire, with residents aged 8 and over able to have their say on how public money is spent.
By Kirsty Lennox
••2 min read
AI
Generic image of people voting on digital screens in a community setting.
Residents of North Ayrshire are now able to vote on 151 community projects vying for a share of £82,185 in funding through the Council’s Participatory Budgeting initiative.
The voting period, coordinated by the Council’s Connected Communities team, opened on Monday 5 October and will run until midnight on Sunday 8 November 2026. Residents aged 8 and over can cast their votes via the Shaping North Ayrshire website.
This year's funding will support projects focused on four key themes: Community Action, Greener Communities, Community Innovation, and Local Ownership. A total of 151 eligible applications were received from community groups and local organisations across North Ayrshire.
Young people aged 8 and up can vote using their Young Scot Card number or a temporary username and password provided by their school. For those requiring additional support, paper ballot sheets are available at local library branches, or community groups can email participatorybudgeting@north-ayrshire.gov.uk to request staff support at meetings.
Participatory Budgeting operates on the principle of 'it’s your money, you decide', empowering local people to influence how public funds are allocated. This year's funding also includes a contribution from the UK Government’s Pride in Place programme.
Further details on successful projects from previous funding cycles can be found on the Shaping North Ayrshire website.
Based on information from the official source: North Ayrshire Council (29/10/2026)
