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 BBC Wales's Melanie Doel"The trust will back projects identified as key to restoring healthy communities"  real 28k |
Regeneration cash targets mining villages
 Mining areas still face problems left by the collapse of the industry |
A body set up to regenerate the former coalfields of Wales has announced funds of �3m to help tackle poverty and unemployment.
The money will be spent on regeneration programmes aimed at improving life in former mining villages.
But critics say the amount is so small - it will do little to help.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust - which includes representatives of the coal industry, communities and regeneration bodies - will back projects identified as keys to restoring healthy and prosperous communities.
 Tower Colliery is the only deep pit left in south Wales |
Others are likely to include credit unions, training and health projects.
The Economic Development Secretary Rhodri Morgan said it will help communities in south and north east Wales lift themselves out of poverty.
The trust admits it is an experimental approach with money going directly to places most in need.
But in areas like Bedlinog in the Merthyr Valley - where more than 1,000 pit jobs were lost - there is criticism that the money is just a drop in the ocean and will have little effect.
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