North Ayrshire is set to see investment of £1.2million designed to “level up communities”.

More than 50 projects across Scotland are set to receive a share of an £18million UK Government investment to help people into work, boost productivity and help to deliver net zero carbon emissions.

The Community Renewal Fund will aim at piloting new programmes that invest in people, boost skills and support local business across Ayrshire, with local authorities invited to bid for funding from the Community Renewal Fund. 

In North Ayrshire, Impact Arts, Islands Green Programme and Place Frameworks Development will share the £1.2million, while further funding will also go to

community projects in South and East Ayrshire.

Sam Eccles, deputy director of development at Impact Arts, a community arts organisation which uses art and creativity to enable social change, said: “We’re delighted to receive news of the funding.

“It will allow us to deliver key programmes for 16 to 24 year olds who suffer around mental health and wellbeing and are looking for alternative routes to employment.

“We want to work with them and bring opportunities to them that will bring them qualifications.

“We will be looking to bring creativity to the area to artists etc who are looking to gain skills working with communities. We’ll link them to community groups, we’re interested in exploring ideas with community groups and artists. We’ve got funding from now until June – a tight timescale, but we have ambitious plans so if any groups have any interest or queries around it they should phone us as we’re very interested to talk.

“We’d like to thank North Ayrshire Council for supporting the bids.”

Secretary of State for Scotland Alister Jack said: “This £18million for 56 projects will help strengthen communities across Scotland.

“This money is being spent on projects that matter most to people.”

To contact Impact Arts regarding funding opportunities email mail@impactarts.co.uk or call 0141 575 3001.

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/new-levelling-up-and-community-investments.