SUPPORT is in place for community projects needing funding in Argyll and Bute, an official has said.
Councillors have agreed to award over £22,000 of funding across 20 different community projects in Bute and Cowal through the area’s Supporting Communities Fund.
A councillor has hailed the range of initiatives which will benefit from the funding, but also questioned whether support was in place to help organisations become more sustainable.
The discussion took place at a meeting of the council’s Bute and Cowal area committee on Tuesday, September 1.
Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle (SNP, Isle of Bute) said: “It is really good to see the breadth of projects across Bute and Cowal, but also the depth of variety, from young people to nature reserves.
“If a group is asking for second or third year funding, then I recently attended an event in Inverclyde where the Third Sector Interface facilitated a social enterprise academy.
“This will work with around 12 local organisations exploring how they can become more financially sustainable. Are there any plans for something similar, or what we are doing internally, to help people along?”
Community development officer David Hagerty responded: “Definitely. We do not have any events planned as such, but we have met with Kate Fraser of Business Gateway, who offer advice to groups.
“As community development officer, sometimes we would call in Business Gateway, who can help with planning for groups, and also Inspiralba, for groups who have social enterprise backgrounds. That is where we would direct people.
“Sometimes we have brand new groups with a one-page constitution, right up to groups who employ five or six people. It is where best to signpost them to.”
