School pupils have had their say on how funds are spent to support projects and community causes across Aberdeenshire.

Participatory budgeting is a process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget.

Aberdeenshire Council allocated £5,000 to support worthwhile causes in each school cluster area. Schools applied for funding for initiatives to benefit young people’s mental health and wellbeing. There were 37 project submissions. More than 1,100 young people from Primary 7 to Secondary 6 voted across Aberdeenshire.
Winners include Portlethen Academy indoor wellbeing garden – £2,000 (140 votes), and Fishermoss School – £1,912 (78 votes).

Fishermoss pupils had applied for funding for items for their playground which could be enjoyed by pupils during the school day but would also benefit the health and wellbeing of the wider school community beyond the school day. The cash will be spent on a large outdoor solar-powered stopwatch, picnic table and playground markings to create a running track.

Details will be announced shortly about opportunities to apply for financial support when a second round of funding opens.