Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has announced that applications have opened for the latest phase of Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) funding.

Green projects throughout Central Scotland can bid for a share of £400,000 to enhance woodlands and green infrastructure, increase active travel and encourage community growing.

The CSGN aims to transform the central belt into a place where the environment adds value to the economy and enriches the quality of people's lives.

Ms Cunningham said: "The CSGN is Europe's largest greenspace 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 greenspaces and I look forward to seeing the undoubted benefits of this latest phase of financial support."

Keith Geddes, Chair of the Central Scotland Green Network Trust, added: "As Europe's largest greenspace 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."

(JP)