Community-driven success: Two Towns BIG Ideas Fund sparks positive change in Banff and Macduff

Aberdeenshire Council’s ambitious Two Towns BIG Ideas participatory budgeting fund has made a significant impact in Banff and Macduff, driving innovation, community engagement, and local economic growth.

Launched in December 2023, this ground-breaking initiative driven by the council’s Economic Development service invited residents, businesses and community groups to propose entrepreneurial social and cultural projects aimed at increasing footfall in both towns. 

The fund – a key element of the Banff and Macduff Development Partnership Action Plans – took inspiration from successful participatory budgeting models in Moray and Stonehaven. 

By giving local people the power to influence spending decisions, the programme strengthened community ties and inspired fresh ideas to revitalise the town centres.

The fund was designed to drive positive change and achieve several key goals, including:

✅ Boosting footfall and encouraging more visitors into Banff and Macduff
✅ Strengthening community spirit by fostering collaboration between the two towns
✅ Empowering local people to take ownership of their town centres
✅ Creating a lasting legacy for future activities and events
✅ Encouraging property investment to bring empty retail units back into use
✅ Supporting entrepreneurship and new business ideas
✅ Providing additional guidance to applicants who didn’t receive funding, ensuring long-term community participation

Following a competitive application process between December 2023 and January last year, eight proposals were submitted for consideration. A Reference Group assessed the applications, ultimately awarding funding to the following six projects which aligned with the programme’s vision:

✅ Bicentenary Exhibition of General Jose de San Martin by Banff Preservation and Heritage Society & Museum of Banff
✅ CattleSkate Academy Skate Park by CattleSkate Academy CIC
✅ Banffshire Highland Day by Banff Castle Community Association
✅ Macduff & Banff Youth Hub by A Place in Childhood
✅ Mission Connect by Banff Academy
✅ The Forge Accessible and Inclusive Outside Event Space by The Forge Banff CIC

Funding was allocated in April 2024, with all projects running through to September 30 last year.  

Now, with all projects completed, a comprehensive Two Towns BIG Ideas Evaluation Report has been compiled, detailing key outcomes, challenges and unexpected successes.

Six organisations received direct grant funding, while a further 40 organisations benefited as suppliers to these projects. Seven new products, processes or services were enabled or supported with 63 public sessions and events held.  

Nearly 4,000 participants benefited from the funding including 344 young people, while two buildings were improved and 15 marketing campaigns took place to promote the collective projects.

Chair of the Banff and Buchan Area Committee, Cllr Doreen Mair, said: “I am very impressed by the success of all the projects which were supported by our Two Towns BIG Ideas participatory budgeting fund. All six projects created a positive impact for Banff and Macduff and what’s really heartening to see is that they all remain active with plans in place for the year ahead. I want to thank our Economic Development officers for their tremendous efforts to ensure the successful roll-out of the fund and to all those within the communities who put in the hard graft to make their proposals a reality.”

Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, added: “Through this important grant scheme, new contacts have been made with ongoing support being provided to potential applicants as well as the funded projects. This has been through information provision, funding advice and support, referrals to relevant third-party agencies.
In addition to the success of these wonderful community projects, it’s also important to reflect on the fact that during 2024, Banff town centre has become more vibrant with an increased number of new-start business enquiries to our Economic Development service along with requests for assistance to find vacant premises and access to training and general business advice.”