Community development

You can now apply for European funding for 'town twinning' and 'networks of towns' projects.

These two Europe for Citizens funding streams are currently open for applications until midday Brussels time on 1 September 2016.

Europe for Citizens is a funding initiative to strengthen remembrance and to enhance civic participation at a European Union (EU) level.

Dornoch Festival Week

The week comprises a wide variety of events and fund raising activities, from football and dances to pet shows! It is an excellent family event.

Monday 8th August: Pet Show at Meadows Park, 10:30am; Indoor Bowling at the Dornoch Social Club, 1:30pm; Family Bingo at The Marquee, 2:30pm; Crowning of the Princess, Prince & Attendant at The Marquee, 6pm; Car Treasure Hunt at The Marquee, 6:30pm.

The search is on for Britain's best high streets and high street heroes.

The Great British High Street Awards 2016 are now open for entries, with categories including 'Village', 'Coastal Community' and 'Small Market Town'.

This year also sees the introduction of the 'Rising Star' award for high streets that are taking their first steps turning around their fortunes.

Round 4 of the Coastal Communities Fund closes for stage one applications on 17 August.

The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) encourages the economic development of UK coastal communities by giving funding to create sustainable economic growth and jobs.

The Big Lottery Fund is delivering the CCF on behalf of UK Government and the Devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Angus LEADER's first funding award will help transform an old school building into a community hub.

Friockheim Community Hub Ltd will use the funding of £137,930 for their FriockHub project which will convert the old Eastgate School building to a community space providing support, facilities, spaces and services to the community of Friockheim and the surrounding rural areas.

A new European publication on social inclusion in rural areas is available online.

The capacity-building manual for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on 'Promoting the Integration of Migrants and Refugees in Rural Areas' has recently been published by the Euracademy Association.

An empty community-owned schoolhouse in Wester Ross is to be transformed into two affordable homes thanks to an innovative funding package.

Registration is now open for the Scottish Rural Parliament 2016 event.

The Scottish Rural Parliament will bring together 400 people to discuss the issues of greatest importance to rural communities in Scotland.

The event will be held in Brechin, Angus from 6 to 8 October and is free for most people to attend.

Scottish Rural Parliament 2016

The Scottish Rural Parliament brings together 400 people from across rural Scotland to discuss the issues of greatest importance to rural communities.

Participants will be agreeing a Manifesto for rural Scotland and deciding what actions need to be taken and by who, to ensure our rural communities are empowered, connected and sustainable.

The community-led Lanarkshire LEADER Local Development Strategy has been launched.

The strategy sets out the priorities and objectives against which applications for funding will be assessed by the Lanarkshire LEADER Programme until 2020. A new development is the inclusion of part of the North Lanarkshire rural area to the south of Cumbernauld and east of Airdrie and Wishaw.

South Lanarkshire Council Provost, Councillor Eileen Logan unveiled the new strategy at Clydesdale Community Initiatives (CCI) in Lanark recently.

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