Funding released for Scots community projects

MORE than £25 million is going to ‘disadvantaged and remote communities’ around Scotland to support regeneration and employment projects – according to an announcement from the Scottish Government.

Says the government, money from its Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) will go to 26 projects to “tackle inequalities and deliver inclusive growth”.  

It continues: “Over 400 business and organisations will benefit from the projects, which will support or create more than 1,220 jobs as well as thousands of training places by refurbishing and bringing back into use 26 empty buildings to provide space for community enterprises.

Among the projects being funded this year is The Old Clyne School redevelopment project in Brora, Highland. It will redevelop a derelict C-listed building to become a community-owned museum and heritage centre, and to be a base for the Clyne Heritage Society.

Dr Nick Lindsay, chair of the Clyne Heritage Society, is quoted, as saying: “This is the best news that we could have hoped for, in what has been a very difficult year. This should unlock the final ‘brick-in-the-wall’ funds from other funding partners, so we can deliver this major development for Brora.

“We can now fulfil our dreams by regenerating the Old Clyne School into a must-visit destination, transforming a current eyesore into a welcome attraction for the whole community and future generations.”

The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) is delivered annually in partnership between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA).

The announcement adds: “The RCGF will award £24.1 million in grants to 26 new projects this year, in addition to funding for multi-year projects which will take the total to more than £25 million going to communities this year.

“The fund is open, on a competitive basis, to applications from all 32 Scottish local authorities and Urban Regeneration Companies. An independent investment panel agrees recommendations to Scottish Ministers and CoSLA on projects to be offered grant support.

“Updated information, including the latest projects recommended to receive an offer of grant for 2021-22, will be published on the Scottish Government website.

The projects to receive an offer of a grant in 2021-22 are as follows:

Aberdeen City CouncilVictoria Road School Community Element£    1,408,965
Aberdeenshire CouncilNumber 30, The Square£    2,490,903
Argyll and Bute CouncilKilmory Park Zones 1, 2 & 4, Lochgilphead£      650,000
Argyll and Bute CouncilPort Ellen Community Hub £    746,223
Argyll and Bute CouncilScalasaig Business Units£     335,000
City of Edinburgh CouncilGranton Station; Enterprise Hub£    1,236,150
City of Edinburgh CouncilNourishing Leith Hub£       944,744
Comhairlie nan Eilean SiarLeverhulme Community Hub£       300,000
Dundee City CouncilCamperdown Community Growing Hub£       899,305
East Dunbartonshire CouncilTwechar Outdoor Pursuits Training and Education Centre£     1,100,000
Fife CouncilTown House Community Hub – Inverkeithing£        475,000
Glasgow City CouncilThe Meat Market Sheds Regeneration Project£      2,640,000
Glasgow City CouncilGreater Pollok Community Learning Hub£        600,000
Glasgow City CouncilSWG3: Yardworks Street Arts Hub£        500,000
Highland CouncilOld Clyne School Redevelopment into new Heritage Centre£        982,793
Highland CouncilRaasay Community Pontoon£        442,858
Inverclyde CouncilThe Inverclyde Shed | Meet, Make + Share£        504,804
Inverclyde CouncilCommunity Hub , KGVI£     1,184,000
North Ayrshire CouncilThe Regeneration of Millport Town Hall£      1,500,000
North Ayrshire CouncilStevenston Beach Hub£        130,000
North Lanarkshire CouncilReeltime, Motherwell – Music Studios & Creative Hub£     1,171,270
North Lanarkshire CouncilSpringhill Community Hub£       790,000
Perth and Kinross CouncilThe Perth Y Centre£     1,500,000
Scottish Borders CouncilYetholm Community Asset Regeneration Project£       133,710
South Ayrshire CouncilEnterprising Carrick£       729,659
West Dunbartonshire CouncilViresco Studios and Arts Centre£       750,000

Picture: Courtesy of Clyne Heritage Society, Brora