Projects to benefit young people figure prominently in the latest round of Community Action Grants awarded by Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network. There is also assistance for a local radio station and a Gaelic archive project on the island of Tiree.

The Mid Argyll Youth Project receives the largest award of £20,000 towards the £58,500 costs of establishing a young people's centre in Lochgilphead. A recent community survey highlighted the need for a dedicated youth resource and with backing from Argyll and Bute Council, the Lochgilphead Community Centre Council and other local organisations, the Mid Argyll Youth Project is preparing to convert the former community library into a drop-in youth club open to young people aged 12-25 years.

Activities at the centre, which is expected to attract over 300 youngsters per week, will include a cafe and games room. The Community Education Department is continuing to support a youth worker for the project and Argyll and Clyde Health Board will be using the centre for a 'health drop-in' for young people where a wide range of health issues can be addressed, particularly concerning sex, alcohol and drug use.

David Hewitt, one of the many people behind the project, said: "A successful partnership approach between the local community, business, the council and AIE has paid dividends for the young people of Mid Argyll. They now have chance to manage their own centre and this will offer a wide range of social and personal development opportunities for them."

The children of Carradale in Kintyre are looking forward to having fun in a brand new play park after a Community Action Grant worth £1,000 was awarded to Carradale Activity Play Park, formed by a group of local mothers who have campaigned for a new park since the previous one was knocked down 20 years ago to make way for houses. At the moment the nearest play park is in Campbeltown which is 15 miles from the village.

With funding in place for the £45,500 project, including assistance from the National Lottery and Children in Need, work on the new play park can begin.

As well as safe play equipment, the project includes footpaths and a picnic area. Forest Enterprise has agreed to provide an access track from their car park at Port na Storm.

Argyll FM has been awarded a Community Action Grant worth £15,000 to provide a local radio service to mid Argyll, Kintyre and the islands of Islay, Jura, and Gigha. Argyll FM Ltd, which recently obtained an 8-year broadcasting licence, has costed the operation at £50,000. One of the largest expenses is a computerised system which will allow them to broadcast 24 hours a day without taking a sustaining service from a commercial station.

The funding will also help with the purchase of furniture for the station's premises in Campbeltown and a mast to enable the group to extend their service to mid Argyll and the islands.

Co-Roinn Ghaidhlig Thiriodh's Cholla (The Tiree and Coll Gaelic Partnership) has been awarded a Community Action Grant to expand An Iodhlann, the historical building on Tiree which houses their multi-media archive. The organisation was set up in 1994 to promote the Gaelic language and culture on both islands and since then the interests of the group have broadened to include historical matters, culminating in the establishment of the community- controlled archive in An Iodhlann.

The organisation now has over 7,000 items which they keep in the renovated building at Scarnish, and has put 30 hours of sound archive recordings from the School of Scottish Studies and the BBC onto the internet.

A grant worth £7,500 will help Co-Roinn Ghaidhlig Thiriodh's Cholla extend the premises to provide a dry, warm store for more valuable items and allow them to continue to expand their collection. The £32,800 project will also enable the organisation to progress to full membership of the Museums and Galleries Commission and free-up the front part of the building for the community to use for meetings, exhibitions and classes.

Chief executive of AIE, Ken Abernethy said: "Strengthening communities is one of AIE's key priorities and the awarding of Community Action Grants is one way of doing this. The scheme enables communities to improve opportunities for recreation and interaction, adding to the attractions of life in Argyll. These most recent awards demonstrate the wide variety of bodies and projects which we can assist."