Twelve community initiatives in Clackmannanshire have been granted a total of £150,000 through the UK Shared Prosperity Communities and Place Capital Grant Fund.

The funding, administered by the Council on behalf of the UK Government for the third consecutive year, is aimed at supporting projects that successfully bring communities together, aid the development of the visitor economy, or contribute to local town and village centre improvements. A core requirement for all successful applications was the potential for job creation.

The successful applicants, which were selected after the scheme launched in August, include:

-- Advertisement --

• Alloa Community Shed: Awarded £16,000 to refurbish Marshill House, creating a community hub with workshop spaces, training rooms, and an improved outdoor area.

• Scottish Autism: Received £25,000 to build two person-centred pods and an outreach cabin for the redevelopment of Gartinny Nursery.

• Menstrie Community Action Group: Awarded £19,150 for renewing and improving the flooring in the Dumyat Centre.

• Mums the Word: Offered £10,000 towards redeveloping a vacant shop in Sauchie into a charity shop, community café, and childcare facility.

• The Gate: Awarded £11,500 for improvements to their mobile food van and static food trailer.

• Alloa Community Enterprise: Received £17,378 to diversify its business into industrial cleaning and the re-use of donated mattresses, significantly reducing waste to landfill.

• Tullibody Community Development Trust: Awarded £10,270 to install soundproofing panels into the studio room in the Civic Centre.

Council Leader Cllr Ellen Forson congratulated the successful projects, stating: "Each initiative reflects the creativity, commitment, and community spirit that make Clackmannanshire such a special place to live. This funding will help them continue their fantastic work."