Minister announces £20m boost for community projects fund in Glasgow

Communities trying to tackle inequality and reduce poverty are being give a £20 million boost.

The Scottish Government is making the funding available to local groups this year as part of the Empowering Communities Fund.

The fund has supported hundreds of projects across the country since it was set up in 2015.

Communities Secretary Angela Constance said the latest round of funding “reinforces our commitment to giving communities a stronger voice in the decisions that matter to them''.

She said the money would “also help us work with community groups and give them the tools to deliver long-term solutions that tackle poverty''.

Ms Constance announced the funding during a visit to SWAMP, a community arts group in Glasgow, which will receive £91,300 this year thanks to the scheme.

She said: “Investing in community-led regeneration is a priority for this government as we know that communities are best-placed to address the inequalities in their own areas and identify how improvements can be made.

“From arts and culture projects, to owning buildings and training and employment schemes, hundreds of communities have already benefited from positive change through the Empowering Communities Fund."