A Dumfries arts and community project has secured £60,000 funding from the Scottish Government.
The Stove has been awarded the money for “strategic development and creative placemaking” at five hubs across the region, with three digital youth hubs also being created.
It is one of 18 organisations in the region to share more than £275,000 from the Rural and Island Communities Ideas into Action (RICIA) fund.
Stove spokesman Matt Baker said: “This national funding is brilliant news for the region – particularly as it comes in the context of the recent 10 per cent national cut in arts funding.
“The Stove have been leading a pilot project called ‘What We Do Now’ for 18 months in five towns.
“This project has supported communities to work with creative practitioners to kickstart new, local initiatives that are driven by the needs and aspirations of local people.
“The RICIA funding recognises the success and impact of the What We Do Now pilot and will be used directly in communities to build capacity in community groups in the five towns through a new placemaking network for Dumfries and Galloway that will give access to skills, training and expertise locally.
“The funding will also join up local projects to get best value from the funding and grow connections between communities across the region.”
The biggest award in the region, £80,000, went to All Roads Lead to Whithorn.
It will be used to transform a derelict stable block into a home for a disabled person and their carer.
Enable was awarded just over £40,000 to help offer additional support and training to improve inclusivity and support community participation.
And the Loch Ken Trust was handed more than £23,000 to carry out an ecosystem assessment as part o their efforts to deliver the Loch Ken Plan.
Propagate (Scotland) CIC received more than £10,000 so it can interview farmers and explore sustainable farming with schools and community groups as it looks into the possibility of a food hub for the region.
And there was more than £8,000 for Arts Inc CIC to allow it to deliver creative workshops for adults with learning disabilities.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We are working to ensure local communities are empowered to tackle local challenges.
“This investment comes at a critical time for our rural and island communities, who are disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis compared to the rest of the country.
“I wish all the successful community groups well as they now look to take forward these projects and make a positive difference to their local areas.”
Other beneficiaries included Upper Eskdale Development Group, which received more than £7,500 to create a community resilience group; Balmaclellan Village Hall Trust, which was handed £4,501 for a cafe and social club and Carsphairn Community Council received £5,000 for a housing project.
Parton Community Council received £5,000 to fund a feasibility study into creating a visitor centre celebrating scientist James Clerk Maxwell.
The Upper Urr Environmental Trust is being given £4,750 for a climate and biodiversity project.
The funding is being delivered in a partnership involving the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland.
“We look forward to working alongside successful applicants and will support them to make meaningful change in their local area.”
