Scotland's largest green space initiative seeks to empower disadvantaged communities
SCOTTISH ENVIRONMENT secretary Roseanna Cunningham has confirmed that the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) funding is now open for bidding.
Green space projects throughout central Scotland will now be able to bid from a fund of £400,000 to either maintain or enhance existing woodlands, boost green infrastructure and schemes for active travel, or encourage 'green entrepreneurship'.
The green space scheme aims to transform the central belt, connecting protection of the environment with community improvement and financial viability in order to add value to the economy and enrich the quality of locals lives.
Since 2010, more than 150 projects have benefited from a share of £6.2m given through the CSGN and the Scottish Government.
This week, the secretary for the environment invited applicants to join the bidding process where Cunningham, said: "The CSGN is Europe’s largest green space project and has a vital role in improving the health, biodiversity, and education opportunities of communities, right across the central belt.
"The next round of the CSGN Development Fund will help communities improve their local environments and engage people with the outdoors.
"The fund has a particular focus on disadvantaged communities, who can often benefit the most from improvements to their neighbourhoods. The fund is already helping people enjoy local green spaces and I look forward to seeing the undoubted benefits of this latest phase of financial support."
"We’re also interested in supporting plans which will breathe new life into vacant and derelict land and improve the lives of disadvantaged communities." Keith Geddes
Established in March 2014 the CSGN is an organisation described by the Scottish Government as a “tool of national development within the National Planning Framework” to direct sustainable economic development in Scotland's economy.
Since 2010 more than 150 projects have benefited from a share of £6.2m given through the CSGN and the Scottish Government.
CSGN has been involved with the recent plans to develop a young persons recreational facility in Craigneuk, North Lanarkshire, in conjunction with the Scottish Government, which, through its Vacant and Derelict Land Fund, awarded £200,000 of funding for the improvement.
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Keith Geddes, chair of the CSGN Trust, said: "As Europe’s largest green space initiative, the CSGN is working to improve the lives of people in the central belt and this significant extension to the Development Fund will ensure the continued transformation of the region into a better place to live, to do business in and to visit.
"Eligible projects are those that will deliver or lead to woodland creation or enhancement, local food growing initiatives which will encourage healthy eating and schemes aiming to improve or create access routes to support active travel.
"We’re also interested in supporting plans which will breathe new life into vacant and derelict land and improve the lives of disadvantaged communities."
Picture courtesy of John Lord
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