Young people in the Glenrothes area have helped decide how funding is spent in their communities, leading to a wide range of projects that are already making a difference.

A report to the Glenrothes Area Committee highlights the impact of a participatory budgeting project involving pupils from all three local high schools – Auchmuty, Glenrothes, Glenwood.

The project gave young people the chance to develop ideas, work together and decide how £130,000 funding should be used to improve their schools and communities.

Around 30 projects were supported through the programme, covering everything from improved learning spaces and sports facilities to community projects and youth activities.

In schools, this has included creating sensory and quiet spaces, improving sports equipment, and making outdoor areas more welcoming.

In the wider community, projects have included youth cafés, litter campaigns, new bins, community gardens and youth work activities – all designed to respond to what young people said matters most.

The programme also focused on key issues identified by young people, including safety, health and wellbeing, and improving local areas.

Importantly, the project has helped create new ways for young people to have a say in decisions that affect them. Their ideas are now helping to shape future services and priorities across the area.

The report highlights that this approach has supported wider work on tackling poverty, improving wellbeing and strengthening communities as part of the local community plan.

There is more still to come, with some projects ongoing and others due to be delivered over the next year.

Councillor John Beare, Convener of the Glenrothes Area Committee, said: “It’s great to see young people playing such an active role in shaping their schools and communities.

“This project has given them a real voice and the chance to turn their ideas into action, with a wide range of projects already making a difference.

“We’ve learned a lot from this approach, particularly about how important it is to listen to young people and involve them in decision-making.

“We’ll continue to build on this and make sure young people are part of shaping future services and opportunities in Glenrothes.”

The learning from the project will now be used to help shape future work, with partners continuing to build on this approach to involve young people in local decision-making.