Environment

First Minister John Swinney has announced a £5 million package for Scotland’s island communities. 

The funding package will support Island communities to tackle local issues and invest in new opportunities that will help deliver a more prosperous future. This funding reflects the First Minister’s four priorities of eradicating child poverty, growing Scotland’s economy, investing in green energy and infrastructure and improving public services. 

The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund launched today (Wednesday 22^nd May 2023) to enable community-led project groups in Scotland to design and deliver local nature restoration projects.

The aim of the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund is to help communities develop their ideas for nature restoration into a pipeline of deliverable projects with a whole ecosystem approach.

Communities will receive a share of up to £5.5 million Scottish Government funding to help reduce their emissions and improve resilience in the face of climate change.

More support could be available for communities to prepare for and adapt to the threat of flooding.

A consultation on a proposed National Flood Resilience strategy seeks views on how to build community flood resilience and engage a broader range of delivery partners to implement more diverse flood management actions faster.

Red squirrels could return to the entire northern coastline of Scotland’s west coast Morvern peninsula and flourish again on neighbouring Ardnamurchan following reintroduction of the species by Trees for Life.

From the Solway Firth to the Highlands, and from rural farms to urban greenspace, new funding totalling more than £1 million for eight projects will support Scotland’s next steps to increase investment in nature.