People from across the Borderlands have come together for a conference to share their experiences to date on developing proposals to improve their communities.
Twenty-two towns and villages will benefit from the Place Programme, which brings £50m-worth of funding into the areas.
The locations were identified by the local authorities they are in as places that have opportunities and challenges but which had not previously received significant public investment.
In Cumbria, the areas are Dalton-in-Furness, Egremont, Longtown, Newbiggin, Penrith, Ulverston and Wigton.
The conference, held yesterday, Tuesday July 30, in Gretna, focused on using inclusive growth strategies to bring regeneration and enhance resilience.
There were also presentations from two teams, Stranraer and Penrith, which have already had their Place Plans and Town Investment Plan respectively endorsed by the Borderlands Partnership Board.
Penrith is developing projects under three themes centred on arts and culture, transport connections, and business and industry.
Stranraer is focusing on distinct quarters within the town.
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a ten year programme of investment, signed in 2021 and supported by the UK and Scottish Governments, to deliver sustainable and inclusive economic benefits across the South of Scotland and North of England.
Professor Mark Shucksmith, chair of the Place Programme Board, said: “Many of our towns serve substantial catchment areas of dispersed and sparsely populated rural communities and are vital to the economic success, resilience and social sustainability of the Borderlands.
“A host of pressures mean town centres face significant challenges that require a sustained and coordinated response to secure their future viability.
“By targeting investment at projects that will make long term impacts, alongside a ‘whole town’, community-led approach, we believe this programme will bring a lasting change to places right across the region.”
