The latest round of funding from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF), delivered in partnership with COSLA and local authorities, will help 23 community-based initiatives which will create and support more than 700 jobs and more than 500 construction jobs, along with hundreds of training places.

Supporting town centre regeneration by bringing derelict buildings back into use and creating new buildings for the community or for commercial purposes, the investment will also support schemes tackling child poverty and addressing issues like addiction and suicide prevention, while creating jobs and growing local economies.

Initiatives include:

• converting a derelict Motherwell sports pitch into a recreation area and community base to support groups at particular risk of suicide
• transforming a former pipe factory in Glasgow into a community centre and creative hub for young people, including those with care experience
• renovating an empty, derelict building in Lossiemouth into a community hub providing services including affordable childcare, addiction counselling and debt advice
• establishing a five-acre campus in Easter Ross to offer training in sustainable food production, promote zero waste and deliver courses focused on tackling food poverty and poor mental health.

Community wealth minister Tom Arthur said: “These innovative, grassroots schemes have been developed within communities to address local needs.

“Scottish Government support will help provide services like employment training, affordable childcare, mental health support and addiction counselling. Derelict landmarks will be redeveloped and new buildings created.

“By working in partnership with residents and local authorities, we are helping communities to support themselves and develop fair, green and prosperous economies which accelerate progress towards net zero emissions.

“The Scottish Government wants to create a fairer society by enabling more people to benefit directly from the wealth generated by local communities. That is why we are introducing Community Wealth Building legislation during this Parliamentary term - to fundamentally transform what our economy is for and how it operates.”

COSLA’s environment and economy spokesperson Councillor Gail Macgregor said: “The announcement today shows the strength of the RCGF and the commitment by local government to regenerating communities.

“In this uncertain time of inflation, rising energy costs and increased demand on services, the fund demonstrates what can be achieved in our towns, cities, villages and islands when support is focused on social and economic renewal.

“From tackling the mental health crisis to food poverty, affordable childcare to climate change, this fund goes beyond what we traditionally think of as regeneration thanks to the ambition and innovative thinking of communities across Scotland.”

Details of the successful projects can be found here.

Aberdeen City Council

• Inchgarth Community Regeneration Hub - £1,900,000

Argyll & Bute Council

• Aros Waterfront Development - Outdoor Activity Hub - £403,500
• Nonhebel Light Industrial Park Expansion (Nonhebel Park Phase 2) - £654,000

City of Edinburgh Council

• Peffer Place Business Park- £2,250,000

Clyde Gateway

• Shawfield GRID Campus - £3,350,000

Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

• Calanais 2025 - £2,000,000
• Loch Carnan - £150,000

Dumfries and Galloway Council

• Lockerbie Old School Wellbeing and Enterprise Centre - £2,623,000

East Ayrshire Council

• New Cumnock Re-use Hub - £1,800,000
• Take A Bow Opportunity Centre - £1,341,615

East Dunbartonshire Council

• Campsie Memorial Hall Revitalisation Project - £950,000

Glasgow City Council

• Refiring The Pipe Factory - £1,965,354

Highland Council

• Gro For You - Community Innovation Campus - Tain - £450,000
• John O’Groats Mill: A Power for the Community - £1,500,000
• Knoydart Bunkhouse - £560,000

Moray Council

• Lossiemouth Community Hub - £270,200

North Lanarkshire Council

• Motherwell Football Club Community Trust - The Well Hub - £215,000

South Ayrshire Council

• Maybole New Stables Lane Scheme - £959,807
• Pinwherry and Pinmore Community Development Trust - Primary School Redevelopment - £197,633

South Lanarkshire Council

• Carluke High Mill, Phase 1 - £1,199,383
• Carnwath Community and Business Enterprise Hub - £275,000
• Larkhall Business Micro Hub - £300,000

West Lothian Council

• Scottish Co-operative Discovery & Activity Centre - £1,400,000