Funding

Rural and island communities will have a chance to have their voices heard in local and national decision-making as a result of Scottish Government funding.

Around £80,000 will help to deliver the next Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament – a grassroots democratic assembly ­– which will take place in the autumn.

University of Glasgow’s SFC Upskilling Project facilitates three runs of skills-focussed, demand-led CPD courses annually, with the aim of supporting employees and employers across Scotland to upskill and reskill in response to present-day economic challenges. In particular, the project aims to address skills gaps, unemployment issues and other health and economic adversities following the COVID-19 pandemic and EU exit.

The Scottish Government’s £65 million Nature Restoration Fund has already awarded around £17.5 million to 125 projects across the country since it opened in July 2021. Managed by NatureScot, the fund supports projects to take practical steps to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss and to restore Scotland’s natural environment.

Efforts to reduce the number of households living in temporary accommodation will be backed by at least £60 million to support a national acquisition plan to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.

Scottish Rural and Islands Parliament

Scottish Rural Action are delighted to invite you to join them for this year’s Scottish Rural & Islands Parliament, a gathering that celebrates the diverse voices and unique challenges faced by rural and island communities.

International trade and investment are vital to improving Scotland's competitiveness and reducing economic inequality. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free-trade agreement (FTA) between 11 countries around the Pacific Rim: Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Japan.

An extended boardwalk has opened at NatureScot’s Blawhorn National Nature Reserve (NNR), giving visitors even more opportunities to explore this fascinating natural area.

The 280m extension was funded by NatureScot and Drumduff Wind Farm, a joint venture by GreenPower and Thrive Renewables.

Preparing for the future of agricultural support - Get ready for 2025

Agricultural support in Scotland is changing. From 2025, new conditionality will start to be introduced to agricultural payments, targeted towards biodiversity gain and a drive to low carbon approaches.

Scottish Government are working with farmers and crofters on the detailed proposals and how they will be implemented. To support this, Officials representing the programme are visiting agricultural shows, marts and area offices across Scotland, to share information and answer questions about agricultural reform in Scotland. You can find them at:

Agricultural support in Scotland is changing. From 2025, new conditionality will start to be introduced to agricultural payments, targeted towards biodiversity gain and a drive to low carbon approaches.

To help support farmers, crofter and land managers, Scottish Government have produced a range of information sheets to help farmers and crofters prepare for these changes, to identify recommendations that can lower emissions and increase efficiencies.

Vital in the fight to tackle climate change, peat covers more than 20% of Scotland and is crucial for water quality, richly diverse landscapes, slowing floods and wildfires, sustaining rural jobs and storing carbon.

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