Dozens of new Belfast jobs are to be made available through the creation of a social economy village, it has been announced.

Work West secured £1.4 million in funding from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) as well as EU Peace and Reconciliation money to help create the 15,000 square foot building.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, it revealed that up to 36 new jobs will be created in the short-term future.

IFI chairman Denis Rooney told the newspaper: "This building is a superb example of how social economy organisations working together can achieve a great deal to directly benefit their communities.

"This investment will help stimulate economic growth, develop the potential for employment and facilitate skills training for the people of west Belfast."

The regeneration project is aimed principally at benefitting social economy enterprises, including businesses involved in manufacturing.

Earlier this month, it was reported that a number of construction and engineering jobs in Belfast are to be created after the city council gave the green light to plans for a new £1 billion energy from waste (EfW) project.