Community development

The 2018 Scottish Rural Parliament will take place in Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway on 14th– 16th November. If you live in or are passionate about rural areas in Scotland, you can attend to learn and make your voice heard. This year's theme is "Taking Action".

The event brings together people from rural communities with decision-makers, for three days of celebration and exploration. Participants examine a wide-range of issues affecting rural communities and make recommendations for change.

Despite the hot and dry summer, our climate is changing in many ways.  Flooding is now identified as one of the top climate change related risks facing the UK, with reports of flood damage costing the Scottish economy upwards of £700 million in 2016. The Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme outlines how it is one of many challenges we face, With climate change likely to alter rainfall patterns and bring more heavy downpours.

Community Land Scotland (CLS) was established in 2010 as a response to the need for a collective voice for community landowners in Scotland - There are currently  90 members, of which 55 are community landowners owning and managing approximately 500,000 acres between them and 35 are working towards owning land.

You can now apply for micro grants from the Ayrshire LEADER programme.

Up to £5,000 is available for community projects and up to £10,000 for rural enterprise and farm diversification projects.

You can apply for up to 90% of costs and decisions on grant will be made by the end of May 2018. Projects must start within three months of grant offer and be fully claimed back by 31 March 2019.

The 2018 Scottish Charity Awards are now open for entries in eight categories.

Organisers, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, want you to tell them which Scottish charities and individuals have been the best, most innovative and effective over the past year.

The award categories are:

Rural Wisdom Get-together

The Rural Wisdom project is exploring ways to make rural areas better for older people. They're holding a series of events across Scotland for anyone who is interested in this work to come together, to share thoughts, to hear from others and to build the Rural Wisdom network across the country.

Karina Ross from Dementia Friendly Communities Ltd in Helmsdale will  share how they support people with dementia to live well in their rural community. We’ll hear about circles of care and how technology is being used to help connect those living in the most remote areas.

EUROPARC Conference 2018 - Registration now open

The theme for this event will be ‘European Parks: Inspired by the Next Generation’ will focus on what Parks can learn from young people and what changes need to be made to manage protected areas for future generations. Matching the ‘Year of Young People’ designated in Scotland for 2018, the conference will call for young people to be more involved in decision making, volunteering, working and living in Parks.

The Scottish Government want your views on a new draft plan to tackle loneliness and isolation in Scotland.

A public consultation has opened on the new national strategy A Connected Scotland: Tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections.

The European Network for Rural Development has launched the Smart Villages portal.

A new fund will support young people who have an idea to promote Scotland's amazing natural environment in 2018.

The Future Routes fund has been created by Scottish Natural Heritage, YoungScot and ReRoute as part of the Year of Young People 2018. The fund is open to individuals and groups of young people from across Scotland aged 11-26.

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