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Grants of up to £500 are available to win through the You[th] Decides Initiative, which is being launched this week by the Western Edinburgh and Almond Neighbourhood Partnerships.

Successful projects should meet the criteria of increasing opportunities for children and young people, and could relate to issues such as sports, arts and media, outdoor education, and community participation.

Any groups with members aged between 11 and 18 and living in Drumbrae/Gyle and Corstorphine/Murrayfield areas and any group with members aged between 12 and 18 and living in Cramond, Davidson’s Mains, Silverknowes, South Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston, Ratho Station and Newbridge can apply.

The funding of a total of £4,000 from the Western Edinburgh and £2,000 from the Almond Neighbourhood Partnerships Community Grants Fund has been allocated to the initiatives. Successful schemes will be decided on by the students from local schools, members of the Neighbourhood Partnership Boards and Western Edinburgh members of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Western Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnership Convener, Councillor Robert Aldridge, said: "We're running this project again because it was so successful last year. Young people are as much part of our community as adults and have come up with some fantastic ideas in the past. This is a chance for them to show off their talents and make a real difference."

Almond Neighbourhood Partnership Convener, Councillor Alastair Shields, said: "This is a great opportunity for local young people to have a say in how funding is allocated. We are looking for imaginative projects which will engage young people and increase opportunities for them in an exciting way."

Application forms for the You[th] Decides Initiative are available from schools and youth groups, or by contacting for Western Edinburgh NP, Steven Kipanda Steven.Kipanda@ea.edin.sch.uk or audrey.primrose@edinburgh.gov.uk and for Almond NP, Steven Stewart steven.stewart@ea.edin.sch.uk or jim.conner@edinburgh.gov.uk

The closing date for Almond is 23rd October and 30th October.