Background

COSLA and the Scottish Government developed a framework agreement setting down that at least 1% of local government budgets will be subject to participatory budgeting by the end of 2021.  The framework defines Community Choices as the term used in Scotland for Participatory Budgeting (PB) and sets PB as the enabler for active participation of citizens in local decision making. The Council was the first local authority in Scotland using a community choices model to identify and have citizens decide on local climate change spend. The DCF is an important part in the Council’s policy response to mobilising community action on climate change, where there is none, enabling existing communities to have a greater impact, and facilitating capacity building within the network of local stakeholders. The DCF was divided into multiple rounds.

Dundee Climate Fund Overview  

The DCF is an educative process raising awareness of climate change and supporting communities to identify and vote on local projects aimed at delivering on the following themes:  

• Energy: reducing consumption, promoting energy efficiency, use of renewables.
• Transport: encouraging active travel, decarbonising transport.
• Waste: reducing waste, recycling, reusing resources.
• Resilience: improving greenspaces, biodiversity, local food growing.
• Building Capacity: increasing public awareness, engaging communities and young people in climate change.

Eligible applicants were able to develop their project ideas within the set topics. Applications were then assessed by topical review panels, consisting of Council and external experts. The review process was designed in a way to support applicants to develop stronger ideas and ensure eligibility of the fund. Eligible and feasible applications were then publicised. The people of the city were then able to decided how to spend the fund that will help grow local community projects acting on climate change, reducing carbon emissions and engaging communities.

Dundee Climate Fund 2.0

The DCF 2.0 voting process was improved, allowing the public to cast their vote online through existing Google and Facebook accounts, but also to cast their vote in-person at their local library.

Funded projects

• Abertay University Student Association – Climate Cafés - £1,600
• Alexander Community Development + Campy Growers + Signpost International - Electric van for community food deliveries - £17,794
• Campy Growers - Collective Delivery - £81,501
• Douglas Diggers - Community growing spaces for all within the heart of Douglas - £32,123
• Dundee Rep Theatre - Hot Rep! Installing secondary glazing - £53,104
• Ninewells Community Garden turns unloved apples into juice for community- £7,100
• St Mary’s Community Centre - Energy Efficiency Project - £20,177
• Strathmartine Community Larder - Affordable energy efficiency & food growing - £12,750
• The Maxwell Centre - The Big Grow Dundee: 100 food gardens for 100 foodie families - £43,085
• Transition Dundee - Expanding outreach, engagement and services for all - £57,021

Dundee Climate Fund x Legacy Sculpture

A new piece of public art, Pollin8, graces the city's Botanic Gardens to commemorate the Dundee Climate Fund. Designed by Fife-based sculptor Ailsa Magnus MRSS, eight individual woodcarvings celebrate the playful vitality of natures pollen, supported by more than 100 ceramic tree bumble bees produced by local school children. The project was voted for by the public through participatory budgeting and funded by Scottish Government.

About the art work

by Ailsa Magnus MRSS 

Most of us know that bees are incredible, and that they are an integral player in many ecosystems. Many trees are wind-pollinated, so would technically be able to survive without bees, however some species such as fruit trees rely (some exclusively) on bees for pollination. So that explains why some trees require bees to pollinate them, but did you know that the bees also need the trees? They provide habitat for some species, as well as a rich source of both pollen and nectar for feeding. Saving pollinators goes hand in hand with saving forests. Plants, woodlands and bees share common threats. The two populations have a mutual relationship which benefit one another. Trees are worth saving – save the trees, save the bees, and vice versa. Trees are home to many species and therefore, deforestation has a direct effect on the number of bees in existence. An increase in urban projects such as housing and business developments, has resulted in the loss of mass areas of woodland. The Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) a relative newcomer to the UK having arrived on these shores in 2003. It has since spread through the country and has become a valuable pollinator. These bees rely on these environments to live. Some nest in holes in trees, and under bark. Without these havens, they struggle to survive. Without these resilient little creatures we too would struggle to survive. Children in local primary schools have been making ceramic Tree Bumblebees which will be incorporated into the landscape around my sculptures To many pollen is a pesky problem but we must not forget it is vital to our existance. Seen under a microscope the causes of our sneezes are actually rather beautiful forms. I have long since been fascinated by these shapes. It is my intention to create eight individual woodcarvings celebrating the playful vitality of nature. The sculptures will evolve over the coming weeks and will eventually be incorporated into a newly developed sensory garden within the Botanics. The Tree Bumblebees will be hidden around the sculptures.