A £5.6 million drive has been launched to fight poverty on the streets of Perthshire.
The region will benefit from a huge investment of EU cash to support some of the area’s most disadvantaged families and get people back into work.
The multi-million-pound investment was approved by the Scottish Government following applications to the European Social Fund (ESF). The windfall will be rolled out over the next four years.
Around 40% of the total will be covered by the ESF grant, while the balance will be made up from Perth and Kinross Council and other organisations.
Although the area’s unemployment figures are relatively low, local authority leaders say there is a “significant” number of people who face barriers, blocking them from getting into work.
There are more than 1,000 people over 25 who have been claiming employment support for more than a year.
About £4.6m of the investment will be used to fund programmes to boost employment, targeting people over 50, school leavers and people dealing with mental health issues.
A second £1m programme will specifically support lone parents who face social exclusion and poverty.
Both campaigns will begin in April and will be managed by the council on behalf of the Perth and Kinross Community Planning Partnership.
Council leader Ian Miller, who chairs the planning partnership, said: “For the most part, Perth and Kinross has a thriving economy with low unemployment.
“However, we recognise that we do face some challenges and that economic growth has to be fair and accessible to everyone in our community.
“This funding boost is therefore extremely welcome, as it allows us to work alongside our community planning partners and local people to ensure that individuals and families are supported to access both employment and the wide-ranging support that is available.”
Cabinet secretary for investment and infrastructure Keith Brown added: “Through investments in employability activity we can support those furthest from the labour market, including the long-term unemployed, into work.”
The ESF will allocate some €464m (£353m) to the whole of Scotland between now and 2020.
Funds are designed to promote “sustainable and quality” employment and offer extra training to boost prospects for out-of-work people with “multiple barriers”.