Moray coastal communities are set to share in a £6.5million funding boost as the UK Government revealed further investment in the Coastal Communities Fund.
The fund was first launched at the start of 2012 and aims to benefit projects on coastal communities that focus on economic development and job creation.
Applications from the fund can come from charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises and while match funding is welcome it is not always necessary.
Several Moray communities have benefited from the fund including the Coastal Harbour Association in Cullen – now additional funding will bring the prospect of further investment.
In the latest funding round announced by the chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, a grant of £167,437 is to be spent on refurbishing a hostel in Findhorn.
Mr Alexander said: “I created the Coastal Communities Fund because, as someone who grew up on a small island, I know how much difference targeted investment can make.
“It has supported scores of coastal communities throughout Scotland – overall, hundreds of communities will benefit, creating jobs and making sure some of our most remote and fragile communities share in the economic recovery.”
The three rounds of funding awarded so far has reached £17.2million for Scottish schemes under the fund.