Civic pride on the agenda in new charity scheme

Keep Scotland Beautiful is launching a call for community projects all over the country to take part in the ground-breaking It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) initiative.

Registration is now open for 2015 entries, and interested groups to take part and make their local spaces clean and green.

The call comes as evidence shows the civic pride benefits of communities coming together to improve their environments.

Designed for community groups seeking to make environmental improvements, the IYN initiative celebrates, supports and empowers those cleaning up and greening their local areas.

Supported projects in previous years have sought to improve local streets, patches of communal neglected land, and shared outdoor spaces.

Recent research from the Carnegie Trust has identified that local environmental improvements can make significant benefits to health and well-being in local communities

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “It’s Your Neighbourhood is all about supporting community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement. Evidence from participants in previous years has demonstrated transformational benefits to local communities.

“If you, or your community group, have an idea, or are embarking upon a project that will improve your local community environment, take one small step and make sure you sign up before the closing date at the end of April 2015.”

Interested new groups can find out more and register here.