The 2025-26 money comes from a one-year transitional fund, approved by the UK government following the success of the previous three-year fund.

More than £1.1m of strategic funding has been allocated across 10 projects which have the capacity to generate high economic impact and skills development now and in the future. The remaining funding was open to projects which met the requirements of one of the three overarching fund themes: communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

Among the successful groups is the Scottish Borders Local Employability Partnership, which has received £335,000 to drive forward employability skills development to support people towards or into employment. This will support various projects across the region.

Scottish Cycling has been awarded £80,001 to maintain two full-time posts dedicated to providing expert support to local businesses, communities and education providers around mountain biking.

Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce has secured £80,000 to continue its development and enhance support for local businesses in the area.

Cheviot Youth has received almost £40,000 to provide a six-month programme of youth work for 200 young people in Kelso, while Real Wood Studios CIC has been awarded £38,540 to take forward the development of a ‘Centre for Wood’ which will provide a unique co-working space to support a new generation of young creatives in the Borders.

Scottish Borders Council has been awarded £260,000 to provide consultancy support for the progression of place and town investment plans across the area which have the potential to draw in significant external funding for future associated projects. 

Details of all the successful projects is available online at www.scotborders.gov.uk/sharedprosperityfund.

Councillor Scott Hamilton, executive member for economic growth and developing the Borders, said: “The range of projects able to be supported by this funding is remarkable, and reflects the vision and ambition of organisations operating across the Scottish Borders.

“The funding will help new projects get off the ground, sustain existing work and support further project development, all the while supporting our young people, businesses and communities.

“There are a variety of funding routes available for local projects and I’d encourage any community groups and local organisations with project plans to reach out to our team to see what support might be available.”

Community groups interested in funding for new projects can download an expression of interest form at www.scotborders.gov.uk/projectfunding.