These funds have supported a wide range of projects; around 8,000 individual economic and social cohesion projects. This has helped Western Scotland combat the decline of heavy industries with the resultant rise in unemployment. A range of innovative and creative solutions were developed to help Western Scotland overcome these challenges.
The region now boasts:
- a wide range of high quality business parks and centres
- business support and advice schemes and loans for its small and medium sized businesses
- new vocational training and childcare facilities
- industrial land that has been transformed into woodland and recreational space
- new visitor attractions
- a wide range of training courses to provide people with the skills required to support their entry into the labour market
- revitalised communities increasing economic and social cohesion.
It all adds up to money well spent
140,000 new jobs have been created
67,000 businesses have received support
169,000 people have participated in training.