Members of local organisations met with Migration Minister Emma Roddick on Friday as she attended the Nevis Centre to launch the Addressing Depopulation Action Plan.
The wide-ranging plan is aimed at strengthening communities facing population decline, including funding for local-led research, initiatives and community support.
During the launch, the minister met with representatives from the Nevis Centre, Lochaber Hope and Highland Charity Mikey’s Line.
Projections show that Scotland’s population is set to fall from 2033, with 14 local authority areas projected to experience a decline over the next decade.
The Addressing Depopulation Action Plan will set out the Scottish Government’s strategy to support people to live, work and raise families in the places affected – many of which are rural and island areas.
A £180,000 fund will initially help three acutely affected local authorities trial ways of retaining and attracting people to their areas. The projects to receive cash will be announced later this year.
Part-funding has been provided this financial year by the Scottish Government for Community Settlement Officers in Argyll and Bute, Highland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, enabling them to continue supporting people living in or moving to those areas.
Ms Roddick MSP said: “The factors that lead to depopulation are complex and interdependent, and every place is affected differently.
“This plan cuts right across government – in policy areas including housing, healthcare, transport and education – to help deliver solutions that address the needs of individual areas.
“Local leaders, councils and organisations are the people who know their communities best – that’s why this plan commits to channelling community expertise and backing a range of local-led initiatives.
“This will not only benefit the places leading these projects, but could also generate learnings that can be applied elsewhere.
“Bringing together new actions with a programme of ongoing government work, these steps will underpin our work to ensure every place in Scotland is equipped with the population it needs to thrive into the future.”
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