A new £25 million fund has been announced to support local projects which regenerate their communities.

Nearly 30 schemes will benefit from the joint Scottish Government and COSLA investment, which aims to help inject new life and opportunity into disadvantaged and fragile rural areas.

Overall, the funding will help support/create create more than 2,300 jobs, support some 50 community facilities and services and refurbish or bring back into use around 25 local buildings.

The funding has been allocated as part of the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).

Speaking during a visit to Out of the Blue in Leith, one of the sites that will benefit, Mr Stewart said: "I am delighted that 29 fantastic locally-driven projects will benefit from this major injection of funding. Spanning the length and breadth of the country, they will help regenerate local areas, stimulate economic growth and create new jobs.

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"The focus of the projects range from tackling social isolation to services to address health inequalities, educational attainment, support ex-offenders and boost tourism. They are an excellent example of how national and local government are working together on shared priorities that benefit local communities.

"I'm also pleased to announce that RCGF funding has been confirmed until 2021 – and that a call for applications to the fund for 2018/19 will be made shortly."

Cllr Stephen Hagan, COSLA Spokesperson for Development, Economy and Sustainability, added: "I'm very pleased to announce today the projects to be funded in 2017/2018 from the joint COSLA and Scottish Government RCGF. This fund is invaluable in helping to transform communities up and down the country and results in strong economic, social and physical regeneration outcomes.

"The diversity of the projects being supported is a testament to innovative thinking from local communities where regeneration activity is being tailored to local circumstances.

"The RCGF continues to go from strength to strength and the successful projects announced today reinforce local authorities' commitment to regenerating their local communities for the benefit of local people."

(LM/CD)