The Big Lottery Fund is pumping £9 million into the Community Spaces Scotland scheme, an initiative aiming to rejuvenate local areas throughout the country. 

The fund will improve local spaces and places by developing allotments, parks and community gardens, as well as improving village halls and community centres. 

Speaking in Loanhead at the launch of Community Space Scotland, Jackie Killeen, Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s director, said: "We all know of those outdoor and indoor spaces in the heart of our local areas that with some care and attention could make our communities better places to live. Through Community Spaces Scotland we want to bring communities together to bring these areas back to life. 

“This could involve turning an existing green space into a community allotment, bringing a derelict play park back to its former glory, refurbishing a village hall or even establishing a green gym, a physical space to get people more active.” 

She is keen to see the funds invested in projects that help bind local people together, while improving those community spaces that matter to them.

Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, said: “This new Fund will help get many worthwhile projects off the ground in communities which need it most, which is great news for local people. 

“The Scottish Government has invested £200,000 in this new centre in Loanhead and we will continue to support regeneration projects, big and small, that improve our communities and bring a benefit to people’s lives. This is a fantastic example of government and the third sector working together to make the most of our resources and help local people make the changes that matter most to them.”

Community Spaces Scotland will invest £9 million over the next three years in projects that bring communities together around a space, or place, encouraging people in communities to become healthier and more active.  

The cash will fund community-led improvements to both outdoor and indoor spaces. This could include turning a derelict piece of land into a community garden, upgrading a play park to help disabled and non-disabled children play safely, or replacing the kitchen in a community centre to accommodate more local groups, for example.

Voluntary and community organisations, schools, community councils and social enterprises can apply for grants for up to two years of between £10,000 and £250,000. The average grant is expected to be around £100,000. 

Further details on how to apply, application deadlines and eligibility criteria can be found on Community Spaces Scotland web page at www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/communityspaces