The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is supporting young people to invest in their communities through the YouthBanks initiative

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust is investing £30,000 in setting up a unique community funding programme involving young people in the former mining areas of Alloa, Cardenden, Cumnock and Tranent.

Under the plans, teenagers will set up and run a YouthBank, through which they will fund projects in their local area that make a difference to them.

The YouthBanks will receive a funding pot of £3,500 to spend on projects and will control any funds they raise themselves.

Nicky Wilson, Scottish trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “We have been exploring ways to support the sustainable development of activities for young people and this initiative builds on the ethos of the Coalfields Community Futures Programme.

“We will award grants of £7,000 to each host organisation with half, £3,500, going to a grant pot for the young people and the remainder on programme support, marketing and promotion.”

Claire Pattullo, national co-ordinator of the body YouthBank Scotland, said: “We are delighted that the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is backing four different YouthBanks, which will all have a significant impact on the development of the young people involved.

“We want to see YouthBanks in as diverse a range of communities as possible, and the CRT’s involvement takes us to the heart of former mining areas.”