The announcement was made by the cabinet secretary for communities, social security and equalities, Angela Constance MSP, at West Calder and Harburn Development Trust.

The funds will help enable Bethany to work over the next six months in four of the most deprived and fragile communities in Scotland - Menzieshill in Dundee, Gorebridge & Sighthill and Moredun in Edinburgh – working with local citizen led groups to develop and deliver long-term local solutions that address local needs, to increase active inclusion and to work towards reducing poverty. In line with the Fairer Scotland Action Plan, Bethany believes that community empowerment must be at the heart of reducing inequalities and tackling poverty within local areas.

A total of £18.9 million is available to community bodies and third sector organisations like Bethany Christian Trust to stimulate local activity at a local level within Scotland’s most deprived communities.

Commenting on the success of the project, Paul Stevenson, community support and development group head at Bethany Christian Trust, said: “Aspiring Communities Funding gives us a far greater opportunity to have meaningful dialogue in four localities and explore the assets and unmet needs of those communities. We are excited to build new relationships within these areas and have been encouraged by all the unsung heroes already making a difference in their neighbourhoods to change Scotland for good.”