The council has set up two new funding streams to offset the cost of living in West Dunbartonshire.

The Youth Success Fund and Community Transition Fund, aimed at helping organisations tackle the impact of rising costs, are now open for application.

The £100,000 Youth Success Fund offers a one-off grant of up to £10,000 to groups that will deliver projects, activities and services that will benefit young people aged 0 to 18, or up to 25 for those needing additional support or with care experience.

The projects should build their capacity, skills, resilience and confidence.

The £250,000 Community Transition Fund aids those impacted by the council's 2024/25 Budget or Scottish Government funding reductions in 2024/25.

This aid will allow groups time to develop business cases, apply for leases or asset transfers, or submit funding applications.

More information and details on how to apply are available on the council's website at tinyurl.com/45vurkcy and at tinyurl.com/muwearez.

The deadline for the Youth Success Fund is May 31, while Community Transition Fund applications remain open until the funds are fully exhausted.

Councillor Michelle McGinty, chair of the council’s Cost of Living Working Group, said: "I am delighted to launch these funds, which will go some way to easing the pressures our communities are feeling as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“Ensuring our young people thrive in West Dunbartonshire is a key focus and the Youth Success Fund will support local organisations to continue offering services that benefit this group, including projects and activities that give them the skills, confidence and resilience needed for a bright future.

“I would encourage any groups currently delivering activities for young people to look at the criteria and consider how this fund could help, as it can be used for a range of different costs including things like venue hire, events or transport."

Councillor Clare Steel, vice-chair of the Cost of Living Working Group, said some organisations are feeling the impact of financial pressures at a local and national level.

She added: “We committed to establishing these funds to provide them with some reassurance and the Community Transition Fund in particular will help mitigate the impacts, supporting groups to progress with the next steps required for them to secure a viable future, so we can see them operating in West Dunbartonshire for years to come."