The River Clyde’s banks are home to over 100,000 people – living in a diverse mix or urban and rural places; three Innovation Districts; and two World Heritage Sites. It plays a significant economic role, supporting 160,000 jobs across 6,600 businesses including Barclays, JP Morgan and Thales, as well as a resurgent maritime sector encompassing BAE Systems, Clydeport, Malin Group and HMNB Clyde.
Part of Glasgow City Region Place, Clyde Mission is a national development priority being led by Glasgow City Region and Argyll and Bute Council. Lead responsibility for the Clyde Mission programme was transferred from the Scottish Government in August 2023.
Described as the greatest development opportunity in western Europe, the Clyde Mission programme involves the development of a Strategic Masterplan for the River Clyde Corridor, as well as the development of a £25 million Heat Decarbonisation Fund offering grants to support heat decarbonisation projects.
The Strategic Masterplan is a long-term blueprint which will shape future regeneration and investment along the River Clyde. It will explore how best to achieve the aim of the Clyde Mission programme, to “make the Clyde an engine of sustainable and inclusive growth”, across a series of strategic themes, locations and priority actions.
Development of the Masterplan will also include a Business Case and Delivery Programme, which will set out a prioritised long-list of transformational projects and a clear route map for their delivery.
A working group has been established to develop the Strategic Masterplan and further information on this, and how to get involved, will be available here in due course.
In December 2025, Glasgow City Region appointed AtkinsRealis, supported by Kevin Murray Associates and Austin-Smith:Lord, to develop the Masterplan.
With round one formally launched in December 2025, the £25 million Heat Decarbonisation Fund (CM-HDF) will offer capital grants for heat decarbonisation projects along the River Clyde corridor.
The Fund will provide targeted investment to support the transition from fossil-fuel heating to low-carbon alternatives – contributing to Regional and national carbon targets.
The Fund is open to local authorities, other public sector organisations and incorporated legal entities for projects where at least one project element is located within the Clyde Mission boundary.
More information on the Heat Decarbonisation Fund can be found at: https://glasgowcityregion.co.uk/HDF
Glasgow City Region and Argyll and Bute Council have taken up the leadership of Clyde Mission, with the Scottish Government remaining a key partner and providing support of £1.5 million to help set up a team and develop a Strategic Masterplan, as well as £25 million for the Heat Decarbonisation Fund.
Details of the Clyde Mission Corridor map area can be found on our Clyde Mission Dashboard.