The Scottish Government-backed programme has engaged a community of research and development experts to develop a catalogue of house types with the goal of demonstrating how a new standard for affordable net zero carbon homes at scale can be created and set across the six local authorities within the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.

A total of £30,000 from the Shared Prosperity Fund will go towards the contribution from Scottish Borders Council as part of the joint commitment by partners and the Scottish Government to deliver the regional housing programme.

Managed locally by Scottish Borders Council, the fund forms part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and supporting local business, people and skills.

Borders College was another recipient, having secured £530,400 to enable delivery of bespoke skills and training programmes to help support the green economy and local supply chain for local housing stock. This programme is designed to maximise decarbonisation of current housing stock and upskill the workforce to meet new property requirements.

Trimontium Trust has been awarded £57,861 to help furnish the newly refurbished activity space at the museum in Melrose with virtual reality and digital equipment, designed to enhance the visitor experience.

A Heart for Duns was successful in securing £41,940 to enable the group to undertake further community consultation work and a cost planning exercise which will help to develop ambitious plans to upgrade the Volunteer Hall in Duns.

Councillor Scott Hamilton, executive member for community and business development, said: “I am delighted that a number of Borders organisations have been able to benefit from this funding stream and will now be able to progress a variety of projects which supports the area.

“Further funding opportunities are available, so I’d encourage other organisations and community groups with project ideas to submit an expression of interest form to allow us to direct them to the most appropriate funds and support applications where required.”