A funding boost of more than £14m has been announced that will help regenerate disadvantaged areas throughout Scotland.

Eighteen projects will benefit from the second round of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).

The fund has been developed by the Scottish Government, in partnership with local authorities, to deliver new and improved infrastructure in disadvantaged areas.

The awards include:

• £1.8m towards the restoration of a derelict and vacant landmark B-listed building in Parkhead, Glasgow. The building will be converted into a local enterprise centre and skills and employability hub, consisting of a flexible community space and office suites.

• £1.63m to support the Middlefield Community Project in Aberdeen by developing state-of-the-art purpose-built accommodation as an addition to the existing Henry Rae Community Centre. It will provide childcare places, youth facilities, as well as a space for local community services, adult learning and recreational community activities for all groups.

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• £1.4m towards the Denny Town Centre regeneration project. This will help create a redeveloped town centre square combining a contemporary library with enhanced IT and community facilities.

• £1.3m to help deliver a new community campus in the Menzieshill area of Dundee. It will include a GP surgery, library, learning centre and community space.

• £397,308 to a Horticultural Training and Community Facility in Greenock. The building will comprise training, meeting, and office space, along with a hall area and café.

• £350,000 to the Uist Heritage Regeneration Programme, which comprises a suite of three community-led interlinked heritage developments.

Housing and Welfare Minisiter Margaret Burgess said: "Regenerating disadvantaged communities is a key priority for the Scottish Government, and I am delighted to join with COSLA in announcing this £14 million investment in 18 projects under the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

"Not only will these projects help transform neighbourhoods and deliver real benefits to local communities, but they will also contribute to stimulating economic growth by supporting and creating jobs.

"This announcement brings the total number of projects to receive funding under RCGF to 40, and increases our overall joint investment to £50 million over a two-year period."

Councillor Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability, added: "I am pleased that again the joint COSLA and Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) is helping to improve the physical, economic, and social outcomes across communities in Scotland, resulting in long term strategic and transformational change.

"Such large scale regeneration projects help deliver wider impacts of employment, land remediation, and improving existing infrastructure, along with levering in additional funding from a variety of sources."

(JP/MH)