The Community Trade Hub (CTH) has been awarded grant funding of £202,050 from the Levenmouth Reconnected Programme, which is overseeing a £10 million pot for worthwhile initiatives benefiting Levenmouth’s people, communities, businesses and visitors ahead of the rail link’s return in 2024.

Young people aged 16 to 24 sometimes face multiple complex barriers to employment and further education to gain the confidence, skills, training and experience they need to move forward into positive futures and career paths.

That’s where the Community Trade Hub comes in, providing everyone – regardless of their background – with an equal opportunity to succeed and a safe space where they can develop practical and life skills within the community.

CTH’s Positive Futures scheme works together with local schools such as Levenmouth Academy, career advisors, Police Scotland, job centres, community organisations, and local authority youth initiatives to help promote opportunities available and generate referrals into the service.

Participants can develop and hone their skills in a variety of trades including joinery, plumbing, plastering, tiling, painting and decorating and electrics – all towards gaining a SCQF Practical Abilities (Level 3-5) as well as practical work experience through the CTH Community Works Programme where they can apply their skills via local community regeneration projects.

Kenny McAllister, managing director, said: “This is a great opportunity for many youngsters to gain skills and qualifications in a vocational setting within their local community giving them a stronger chance to gain sustainable employment or lead into further education avenues.”

Levenmouth Reconnected brings together a range of local initiatives, including the reintroduction of the Leven rail link and Leven Programme, to maximise the economic regeneration and social benefits to Levenmouth.

The programme is welcoming applications for grant funding for proposed projects that support the four key grant themes:

• Opportunities for all
• Inclusive jobs and growth
• Thriving places
• Community-led services.

Projects must also maximise the economic and social value of the re-opened rail link to Leven to the communities of the Levenmouth area.

The second round of applications for large grant funding is ongoing and these are being assessed, but applications for the fund’s small grants scheme can be submitted at any time.

Applicants can apply for a maximum of 90% of an eligible project’s total costs of no more than £5,000 (exclusive of VAT), while applications are also welcome for up to £5,000 towards the cost of larger eligible projects.