An initiative devised by six local authorities in Scotland to promote island culture to mainland audiences has received £820,000 from the European Union.

Scotland's Islands aims to use contemporary and traditional music and art to engage with a wider audience as part of the project, due to launch in April 2011 and extending into spring 2012. Western Isles Council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is co-ordinating the scheme, which has received more than £1.8m from a range of sources, including the European Regional Development Fund.

Six councils - Argyll and Bute; Highland; North Ayrshire; Orkney; Shetland and Western Isles - will provide £302,000, with Awards for All, EventScotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise also contributing. Scottish culture minister Fiona Hyslop said: "Our islands each have their own distinctive culture and I am delighted we have been successful in attracting European funding to promote and celebrate the islands and their indigenous assets to a wider audience."