The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) funding was announced by rural affairs and natural environment minister Mairi Gougeon, as she visited one of the 11 successful recipients.

Gorebridge Community Development Trust has been awarded £13,571 to develop a community garden that will include an outdoor play area and therapeutic space to promote physical and mental well-being.

Ms Gougeon said: “It is great to see such a diverse range of community projects benefit from the Central Scotland Green Network development fund. It is by far the largest green infrastructure project in Europe and I was delighted to see it recently highlighted by the European Commission as a good example of implementing environmental policy.

“There is a growing awareness of the benefits that healthy, sustainable living can bring to both society and the economy and projects like this are a great way of local communities using and benefitting from the greenspaces around them.”   

Central Scotland Green Network Trust chair, Keith Geddes, said: “The CSGN Development Fund continues to make a significant contribution to projects across central Scotland, making it a more attractive and distinctive place to live, visit and do business in.

“This is the 10th year of the fund and we are proud to have now supported over 220 projects. £7.2m has been distributed through the initiative to deliver a wide range of environmental enhancements across the central belt and improve the lives of the people who live and work there.”

The full list of CSGN development fund recipients 2019/20 can be found on the CSGN website.