Housing Minister Margaret Burgess and Councillor Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability, have announced a £25m fund which will transform disadvantaged areas in Scotland.

In total, 22 local projects will benefit from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).

The fund, which has been developed in partnership with local authorities, will support projects that will deliver new and improved infrastructure and bring significant positive outcomes for deprived areas.

Some of the projects set to benefit include:

• A number of listed buildings being brought back into sustainable use within Scottish Towns
• The West Harris Trust on the Isle of Harris which will receive funding to create a community enterprise centre with visitor, community and business facilities
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• The Glasgow Women's Library which will receive funding for the refurbishment and relocation of the Library.

Ms Burgess said: "Investment in such transformational regeneration projects is absolutely key for stimulating economic growth throughout Scotland.

"The development of the fund, which will benefit 22 local projects, is a great example of how Scotland's public bodies can work in partnership to deliver initiatives that help to create more jobs for Scottish people, while bringing our communities closer together and injecting new life into deprived and run down areas.

"Community involvement is integral to the success of the design and delivery of local economic and social regeneration initiatives.

"This Government is absolutely clear about the contribution that regeneration makes to growing our economy and improving the life chances of Scotland's people.

"I am pleased that COSLA have agreed to work with us on this initiative and that local authorities will play a fundamental role in delivery while ensuring local people are at the heart of the projects that will help transform the spaces around them."

Councillor Hagan added: "The Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) will help improve physical, economic, social outcomes across our communities and will result in long term strategic and transformational change.

"Regeneration is a key aspect of the work of local authorities, and this fund will go some way to helping communities realise their aspirations for their local area."

(JP/CD)