THE brightest and boldest community campaign in the city is back.

The Evening Times Streets Ahead initiative, backed by Glasgow City Council, City Charitable Trust and City Building returns for a ninth year.

At the heart of our awardwinning campaign are the men, women and children working hard to improve their local areas for the benefit of all.

Over the last eight years, we have celebrated their excellent efforts, from creating gorgeous community gardens out of nothing, to rallying neighbours together for clean-ups and more.

Year nine of Streets Ahead kicks off today with a promise to bring you more fantastic stories about neighbourhood projects helping to change Glasgow for the better.

Our Step Up for Streets Ahead series returns too – each month we will feature an unsung hero who works hard for his or her community.

In June, we will honour those who go the extra mile at our Streets Ahead Awards ceremony, with prizes for the best community initiative, clean-up campaign, environmental initiative and community garden, plus trophies for outstanding schools, green businesses and gardens.

Read more: ‘The Pacitti garden has taught me a lot - it is my therapy’

Last year, our overall champion was the Pacitti Garden in Kinning Park, an amazing community garden which has helped to transform the lives of local people.

Donald Martin, Evening Times editor, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to announce our Streets Ahead campaign will return for a ninth year.There are many wonderful projects and inspiring individuals working hard across the city, finding clever and creative ways to improve their surroundings and bring neighbours together.

“The Evening Times, and our partners Glasgow City Council, City Building and City Charitable Trust, are proud to support them.”

Mr Martin added: “Through our Streets Ahead grants we have been able to provide funding for new and existing projects in every corner of Glasgow. We are looking forward to showcasing many more and hope our readers will get involved in our bid to make this city better for all.”

Lord Willie Haughey of City Charitable Trust said: “We are delighted to be involved once again in the Evening Times’ Streets Ahead campaign. It’s a pleasure to assist the many groups and individuals making such a positive contribution to our great city. They are the very lifeblood of Glasgow and the City Charitable Trust is pleased to support their incredible work.”

Graham Paterson, executive director of City Building, said: “The team at City Building work hard to support their local communities and are always happy to help those who need it. Through Streets Ahead, we are lucky to hear incredible stories about people doing amazing things to help their wider area. We are looking forward to seeing more people get involved.”

Read more: Streets Ahead highlights: Heart of a community comes in all shapes and sizes

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “Communities across Glasgow continue to make a difference by getting involved in activities like regular litter picks or clean-up events. These things actually do make a real difference - to the look and feel of a neighbourhood and to the pride that residents have in it. For almost a decade Streets Ahead has recognised those people who have taken it upon themselves to improve their areas, often taking their communities with them and in doing so nurtured a wider sense of civic responsibility.

“We all want Glasgow to be a cleaner, safer, better place – which is why the council is delighted to support the Evening Times’ Streets Ahead campaign.”