Enterprise

The Tyne Esk LEADER Programme was formally launched at twin events -  the Haddington Show on the 2 July and the Dalkeith Show on 9 July 2016.

Both events were well attended by, primarily, famers and families and the Tyne Esk LEADER stall was kept busy answering questions and entertaining children.  LEADER LAG members as well as the staff team were on hand at the stall throughout the two days.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) wants to hear your views on nine big issues in the Park including flood management, housing and economic development.

The Big Park Big Questions consultation has been launched to gather views on the key issues to be addressed in the next National Park Partnership Plan 2017-2022 - a management plan for the Park which sets out a vision and overarching strategy for managing the area.

Almost £550,000 of LEADER funding has been awarded to projects following the first round of decision making meetings with the Dumfries & Galloway LEADER Local Action Group.

Funding of £549,901.35 has been awarded to projects with a total value of £1,250,258.26. Supported projects were varied and include both The Whithorn Trust’s Iron Age Roundhouse which explores the history and heritage of the region, as well as farm diversification funding to provide an alpaca trekking experience!

This year's SURF Awards are open for entries in five categories.

These annual awards are open to any regeneration project in Scotland that is currently in operation or has been completed within two years of the September 2016 closing date.

The award categories are:

In Rural Jobs Round Up, you can find out about some current rural vacancies and jobs related to rural development.

Community Partnership - Community Action Plan Support Worker

• £19,000 – £20,000. pro rata
• 15 hours per week (.4fte) fixed term until March 2017
• Home based

The Community Partnership is seeking to appoint a part-time Community Action Plan Support Worker to aid the community action planning process in the communities of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

In just over two months and with more than 1,400 investors from over 20 countries, the investment total soared above the £1.5 million target to make a community-owned distillery project a success.  This is believed to be Scotland's largest community share offer to date.

Founder, John F. McKenzie, GlenWyvis Community Benefit Society, said:

‘What is the Scottish Rural Development Programme?’

That was the question the Scottish Rural Network was trying to answer for a busy tent of guests on Thursday at this year’s Royal Highland Show.

Go Rural have launched a new venture offering guided farm tours this summer.

Tours at Balluderon Farm near Dundee will give visitors the chance to learn about life as farmers and the role they play in producing food.