Community development

The new Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme launched on Friday 29 January, with £2.78 million of funding to be invested in rural communities across the region.

The event took place at the Callander Youth Project, which was voted Scotland’s top youth project in 2015. Peter Sunderland, Local Action Group Chair, highlighted examples of good practice, including one which inspired a participant to become an international expert on project continuity. 

The Climate Challenge Fund is now open for applications.

Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod has confirmed the fund will continue for another year, after it was allocated £10.3 million in the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2016-17.

Community groups across Scotland are now being invited to apply for a share of over £10 million to promote action against climate change.

Dr McLeod said:

WAT IF? (Woolfords, Auchengray and Tarbrax Improvement Foundation) has extended its community minibus trial, changing the timetable to better reflect the needs of the local community.

The initial trial ran on alternate Thursdays and Saturdays from September to December but Thursdays didn’t prove as popular and feedback showed that residents would rather have a service every Saturday – so the new trial runs two trips every Saturday!

More volunteers are needed to deliver the next LEADER and Fisheries programmes in Moray.

Over 100 people from across rural Perthshire braved the snow and ice to attend the launch of the Rural Perth & Kinross LEADER programme on 14 January. 

After a spot of networking at the various stands the meeting commenced with the Local Action Group Chair, with Jackie Brierton speaking passionately about the opportunities that the Local Development Strategy offers in terms of stronger networking, collaboration, a well connected sustainable local economy with communities coming together.

The Gathering 2016

The Gathering is Scotland’s largest event for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations. It’s free and everyone’s welcome.

Organised every year by SCVO, it’s a place for people working in the third sector to network, showcase what they do and learn from each other. It’s also a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the third sector to come along and get involved. There’s a bustling exhibition and marketplace with over 100 exhibitors, and a packed programme featuring more than 60 workshops, seminars and training sessions.

A report from a study visit to Dumfries and Galloway by Ceredigion and Cairngorms LEADER Local Action Groups is now available.

Below is the Executive Summary of the report, and you can also download the full report for more information.

Would you like to be part of a Local Area Partnership responsible for delivering LEADER in Nairnshire and Rural Inverness?

Highland LEADER are currently recruiting volunteers to join a new Local Area Partnership (LAP). LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support  to communities for rural development.

Applications are now being accepted for a new grant scheme to support green community groups and environmental projects.

The funding from the Postcode Local Trust will encourage lasting benefits by bringing people together to improve local ecology and habitats, encourage biodiversity and benefit the wider environment.

In the third of our event reports from the Scottish delegation to the European Rural Parliament, film maker and young crofter Robin Haig shares her experience.

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