European funding of more than £4.5 million has been awarded to Fife to boost employment and overcome barriers to finding work.
The money, which will come from European Structural and Investment Funds, will part fund initiatives designed to grow small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and support programmes that get people into work, with the cash helping Fife Council to run projects until the end of 2018.
Councillor Lesley Laird, deputy leader and spokesperson for economy and planning, welcomed the funding.
“In the current economic climate it is essential that we maximise the money we have available,” she noted.
“We’re delighted to have secured this funding as it will allow us to help more people and businesses across Fife.
“Growing our small businesses is one way that we can help to create more jobs, grow the economy and make Fife the best place to do business.”
The money has been awarded in two tranches for two very different initiatives.
The first will see just under £3.9 million from the European Social Fund ploughed into training and skills development activities that aim to support people in overcoming barriers they face in finding employment.
The council hopes around 10,000 people will benefit from such schemes between now and December 2018.
Meanwhile, a further £790,000 from the European Regional Development Fund should help Fife Council back an additional 570 businesses by 2018 by enhancing Business Gateway support available.