Two north-east towns will receive a share of £200,000 for community projects and initiatives aimed at promoting healthy living and wellbeing.
The move – part of the local authority’s Your Voice, Your Choice scheme – will ask residents within both towns to vote on which projects should get the funding.
Representatives from the projects which could receive the money will attend launch events next week in both ports.
Both towns have been given their own pot of £100,000 and projects can bid for up to £10,000 of that amount.
Local residents will be able to cast their vote on special decision days being held on June 18 in Fraserburgh and June 25 in Peterhead.
The funding is being made available by the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership – the new integrated link between Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian which will deliver health and social care services in the area.
Last night, partnership chairman, Raymond Bisset, said the projects could make a “real difference” to health in the north-east.
He added: “Participatory budgeting, as the process is called, has been hugely successful in other parts of the UK.
“If it’s successful, it could be rolled out to other areas, so this is a great chance for Peterhead and Fraserburgh to set the standard for others to aspire to.”
Peterhead councillor Anne Allan, vice chairwoman of the partnership, added that advice would be available for projects thinking about applying for funds.
She added: “We know there are many people who want to participate in shaping the future of their local area but don’t get involved in traditional consultations.
“This scheme is all about removing barriers and getting them directly involved in local decision-making.”
Application forms must be submitted by Friday, April 29.