Funding

AECS and Pains – Getting to Grips with Agri-Environment Schemes

Are you trying to get to grips with the Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS), or wondering how managing your land differently could impact production?

This practical event will look at ‘win-win’ situations, where agri-environmental management can benefit both wildlife and production, e.g. field margins increasing the number of insects, which pollinate plants or compete with pests, thereby boosting yield.

You will also spend time exploring some of the practicalities and challenges associated with applying for and managing land under an AECS scheme.

The current funding round for the Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation (FPMC) scheme closes for applications on 5 March 2017.

The FPMC scheme can provide support to suppliers and producers to contribute to the Scottish Government’s overall vision for food and drink in the country, which is to be a Good Food Nation, where it is second nature to produce, buy, serve and eat fresh, healthy food.

After a successful Local Action Group (LAG) assessment meeting on Tuesday 24 January when eight further project applications were approved, Scottish Borders LEADER have now committed to funding totalling £705,000. 

So far Scottish Borders LEADER LAG have awarded grants to 15 projects:

The Orkney Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) has awarded funding to investigate the development of an innovative piece of fishing gear.

A three-year post will be created by the Green Fishery Development Strategist project. The post-holder will look into the production of equipment for the sector which will help increase selectivity on the sea bed, helping sustain the fisheries industry.

The Lanarkshire LEADER programme has made its first funding award.

The programme opened in late 2016 and now the LEADER Local Action Group have made a grant offer of £18,220 to Lanark-based award-winning social enterprise CCI Scotland.

With the funding, CCI will carry out feasibility and business planning on a number of potential social enterprise ventures.

The Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS) has opened for applications today (30 January 2017).

AECS is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). The AECS scheme promotes land management practices which protect and enhance Scotland’s magnificent natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk and mitigate and adapt to climate change. It will also help to improve public access and preserve historic sites.

Four projects have recently been awarded funding from the Scottish Land Fund.

The Pairc Trust in the South Lochs area of the Western Isles, Kirkliston Village Hall Association on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Crossroads Community Hub in East Ayrshire and Cairndow Community Childcare Ltd in Argyll and Bute share in £174,638 from the Scottish Land Fund.

The Pairc Trust receives £50,621 to purchase the former Elderly Care Unit at Gravir which it will renovate to provide an affordable family home for rent.

First Minister Nicola Sturgoen has announced £29 million of funding for community and third sector projects that try new ways to tackle poverty and improve people's lives.

The funding over the next two years supports the Fairer Scotland Action Plan, which was published in October 2016.

The deadline for applications to the Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF) is Thursday 2 February 2017.

KTIF is designed to support projects that increase farmers’ skills and knowledge by delivering training, coaching, courses and farm visits, and by supporting on-the-ground improvements in competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability.

WAT IF? (Woolfords, Auchengray and Tarbrax Improvement Foundation) is launching four new funds which could provide up to £19,000 directly to the local community each year.

The development trust, established in 2012 by residents to manage community benefit funds from nearby windfarm developments, has focused their new programme of grant schemes on addressing access to services and facilities such as transport and education.

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