Funding

The new LEADER programme for the Angus area was launched at the impressive and packed Eassie and Nevay Hall, Balkeerie on Wednesday 3 February 2016.

Local Action Group chair Gill Lawrie started by introducing the eleven Georgian visitors from the Borjormi area of Georgia who are visiting Angus to better understand rural development and how it can be translated to their own country, and in particular LEADER. She then went on to highlight how £2 million of funding will be used to boost communities in rural Angus.

Over 40 community organisations will receive a share of £2.5 million from the Scottish Government's Strengthening Communities Programme.

The Strengthening Communities Programme (SCP) will provide investment to community organisations from the Highlands to the Scottish Borders that are transforming disused properties and setting up enterprises in their areas.

Paths for All is offering grants of up to £1,500 to help community groups improve, maintain and promote their local community paths.

If your group has a great paths project idea but doesn't have the finances to carry out the work, then Paths for All can help.

Their Community Path Grants can be used to: 

Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead has encouraged more applications to the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

Eight Scottish Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs) from Shetland to Dumfries & Galloway have won a share of the EMFF worth £6.5 million.

The EMFF is the fund for the EU's maritime and fisheries policies for 2014-2020. The fund:

The new Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER programme launched on Friday 29 January, with £2.78 million of funding to be invested in rural communities across the region.

The event took place at the Callander Youth Project, which was voted Scotland’s top youth project in 2015. Peter Sunderland, Local Action Group Chair, highlighted examples of good practice, including one which inspired a participant to become an international expert on project continuity. 

Farmers affected by recent floods can now apply for a grant to help repair man-made floodbanks.

The Agricultural Floodbank Repair Grant Scheme was announced by the First Minister earlier this year, with £1 million being set aside to fund the repair of man-made floodbanks on farms in nine local authorities: Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders, Perth and Kinross, Stirling, South Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, City of Aberdeen, Angus and East Ayrshire.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

Environment Minister Aileen McLeod has announced an increase in the level of grant support available through the Croft House Grant Scheme.

The Croft House Grant Scheme (CHGS) provides grants for crofters to improve and maintain the standards of crofter housing, with the aim of attracting and retaining people within the crofting areas of Scotland.

The Climate Challenge Fund is now open for applications.

Climate Change Minister Aileen McLeod has confirmed the fund will continue for another year, after it was allocated £10.3 million in the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget 2016-17.

Community groups across Scotland are now being invited to apply for a share of over £10 million to promote action against climate change.

Dr McLeod said:

A series of 'Meet the Funder' roadshows are taking place throughout the Outer Hebrides this February.

The events mark the launch of the Outer Hebrides LEADER and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020 Programmes and have been organised by the Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF Local Action Groups in cooperation with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Regeneration Team.