![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nen.press\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/garden-15-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDeputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced support for almost 80 organisations delivering regeneration projects, to realise the economic potential of Scotland\u2019s communities.<\/strong><\/p>\n Edinburgh initiatives to receive Strengthening Communities Programme funding in 2025 \u2013 26 are:<\/p>\n North Edinburgh \u2013 R2 Co-ordinator \u00a356,205.00<\/p>\n Rannoch Community Trust \u00a340,295.00<\/p>\n Whale Arts Agency \u00a335,154.00<\/p>\n Ms Forbes confirmed that more than \u00a32.5 million has been allocated from the Strengthening Communities Programme in 2025-26 to continue supporting 62 organisations and begin work with a further 15.<\/strong> <\/p>\n The funding will address various challenges across Scotland\u2019s communities such as employability, population retention, a need for housing, tourism and heritage initiatives, and the expansion and development of community food hubs.<\/p>\n Now in its 13th\u00a0year, the Programme has helped hundreds of local organisations to bring economic, social and environmental benefits to their local communities. <\/p>\n The programme delivered projects including the creation of more housing in remote rural areas, building business units to help small enterprises, and renovating vacant buildings to provide cultural and community centres.<\/p>\n The Deputy First Minister announced the funding on a visit to a former vacant department store in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, which has been transformed into a community and enterprise hub with the help of Scottish Government funding. <\/p>\n Number 30 The Square now houses a cafe, cinema, retail space, learning and training rooms, event space, a gallery and co-working centre.<\/p>\n Ms Forbes said: \u201cLocal communities are best placed to address their own needs, identify improvements in their areas, and realise their own economic potential. That is why community-led regeneration is a key priority for the Scottish Government.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cFrom arts and culture projects, training and employment schemes, to bringing new life to disused buildings, hundreds of places across the country are already seeing positive change.<\/p>\n \u201cNumber 30 The Square is a shining example of how a community can come together to improve lives locally. And I\u2019m glad to confirm that this kind of work will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n