Open Government Partnership
Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund: year three
May 29, 2025 by Open Government Team 1 Comment | Category Uncategorized
The Just Transition Participatory Budgeting Fund is part of our commitment to public participation in the Open Government Action Plan 2021-2025. Read about what’s been happening in it’s 3 years and the impact the fund has had on communities in the North East of Scotland.
The Just Transition Participatory Budgeting (JTPB) Fund, supported through the Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray, was introduced in 2022 to empower residents in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray to shape the region’s transition to net zero. Participatory Budgeting (PB) is different from other forms of public funding as it gives local people a direct say in how money is spent in their area. Using PB to support Scotland’s progress to net zero provides a platform for community voices, perspectives and priorities to be heard, especially those with little previous engagement on climate issues, but who may be particularly impacted by it.
Three years of the JTPB Fund
In the first two years of the JTPB Fund, over 29,000 people voted to distribute £2.5 million capital funding to 98 successful projects. A further £1 million was provided for the third year in 2024-25. As well as this capital funding, the Scottish Government provided £212,000 revenue funding for five partners to deliver the Fund. During year three, the partners carried out a range of publicity events to raise awareness of the fund to community groups. This included several online and in-person drop-in events, one-on-one application support, as well as school visits to promote and encourage youth participation.
This resulted in 85 eligible applications, ranging from £1,348 to £50,000, being put forward to the public vote. Over 18,000 people across the three regions voted, roughly 3% of the population, and 47 projects were successful.
Innovative fund proposals
The main use of the fund continues to be for the provision of private electric vehicles for community groups and supporting improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings. Year three has also seen more innovative proposals to support the local area such as:
- an eco-friendly oven to establish the greenest bakery in Aberdeen
- specialist trishaw bikes to help elderly and disabled people access the outdoors
- a community garden where children and families can learn about growing fruits, vegetables and wildflowers, while fostering environmental awareness through hands-on activities.
Community impact
The delivery partners have noted that year three of the fund has reached wider, more diverse community groups, such as charities and organisations focused on supporting marginalised and minority groups. With the help of social media promotion, more innovative approaches are being taken to support projects collaboratively with other groups. Real, positive progress is being made in raising awareness of the fund amongst those less likely to participate in decision making and in discussions around net zero.
This is supporting the wider economy in the north east of Scotland. Since the fund began in 2022, the delivery partners have encouraged applicants to buy local and use local suppliers and makers. Anecdotally, through the reduction of costs, such as community groups fitting energy efficient heating and renewables, this has allowed funds which would normally be associated with running costs to be distributed through other channels and support in the community. This has created a ‘visibility’ aspect in the community, where successful projects are able to showcase the potential of the fund with other groups, therefore engaging them in the net zero discussions and encouraging them to apply for the fund in future rounds.
Looking ahead
With year three drawing to a close and the successful community groups implementing their sustainable capital projects, discussions are starting to turn to year four of the fund.
If you are interested in learning more about PB or would like further resources and case studies, these are available on the PB Scotland website. If you are in the North East and would like to apply for future rounds, keep an eye on the Just Transition PB website.
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what a lot of garbage from a useless givernment well past thier sell by date – cheerio