Grants set to regenerate neighbourhoods in Scotland
£25m of funding has been announced by the Scottish government to support regenerative community projects and local economies in some of Scotland’s more disadvantaged and rural areas.
The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund will support 22 locally developed place-based projects that tackle inequalities and promote sustainable and inclusive economic recovery from the pandemic.
While revitalising town centres and neighbourhoods, these projects aim to support up to 3,000 jobs, training and volunteering opportunities and reduce local carbon emissions.
Projects to benefit from the fund include initiatives to transform historic buildings into shared business spaces, a new £4m technology hub in Glasgow, a £2.3m Skills and Innovation Centre in Dumfries and Galloway, and a new centre in South Uist to promote Gaelic language, culture, music and dance.
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said: ‘The last few years have been tough for us all but many of Scotland’s communities have been more impacted than others. The latest projects to benefit from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund are working to tackle inequalities and create vibrant town centres and neighbourhoods.
‘By securing investment from this £25 million fund, these innovative projects demonstrate the powerful role those in our communities can have in helping to transform their town centres and neighbourhoods by investing in their future. The Scottish Government will do all it can to support projects that help create the fairer, greener and more prosperous Scotland we all want to see.’
COSLA’s Environment and Economy spokesperson, Cllr Steven Heddle, added: ‘Once again, the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund has created the opportunity to deliver jobs, tackle inequalities and create better places across Scotland.
‘The exciting projects announced today showcase the best of partnership between local authorities and our communities, delivering economic and social renewal as we rebuild from the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The diversity of projects supported is testament to the success of identifying local solutions to enable people to live well locally.
‘In the face of the climate emergency, it is essential that the most vulnerable in society are not further disadvantage by climate change and I am especially pleased to see the additional focus on achieving a just transition to a net zero society.’
Photo by Artur Kraft