Community projects to transform disused buildings and generate green energy will benefit from a £2.5 million fund.
More than 40 groups will receive money from the Scottish Government pot, which supports regeneration work.
Ministers are increasing investment in the Strengthening Communities programme by £500,000 to £2.5 million in 2016-17.
Among those to benefit are Glasgow’s MsMissMrs, which uses the profits from the sale of underwear to organise training courses for women.
Other projects receiving funds are the Happy n Healthy community development trust in South Lanarkshire, which is developing a community wind turbine, and the Glendale Trust in Skye, which is taking on ownership of the Borrodale School and Meanish Pier.
Community empowerment minister Marco Biagi said: “This £2.5 million investment is helping communities breathe life into disused buildings, producing opportunities for renewables generation, establishing community transport and tourism initiatives and creating jobs.
“We’ve already seen the benefits of funding these projects with communities across Scotland becoming more resilient, taking ownership and control of their own areas and generating income by coming up with entrepreneurial ideas.
“By increasing our investment this year we are able to give more communities the opportunity to take forward improvements to their area, on their own terms.”
Over the next few months recommendations for other organisations that could receive a share of the additional £500,000 will be put forward by Scottish Community Development Centre, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Development Trust Association Scotland, Community Enterprise in Scotland and Carnegie UK Trust.
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