Learning and skills

Do you want to join people from across Europe on a course on social innovation in rural areas?

Applications are now being accepted to take part in a one-week Advanced Course on Social Innovation in Rural Areas in Zaragoza, Spain. All participants will be exempt from the payment of registration fees.

Advanced Course on Social Innovation In Rural Areas

Please note: timings to be confirmed with organisers

Social innovation has been heralded as a vital part of the European recovery project since the economic crisis in 2008. It is of particular importance to rural areas, especially more disadvantaged rural areas, where multiple problems of depopulation, environmental quality decline and low levels of economic activity have been recurrent. With the trend of rapid urbanisation, the remoter rural areas will continue to be adversely affected.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has announced funding for skills and economic development across the South of Scotland.

A former school building which is currently lying empty in Kirkcudbright will be transformed into a Dark Skies Visitor Centre and Planetarium, through the South of Scotland Economic Partnership. With investment of £300,000 from SOSEP the building will also include a childcare facility, a youth activity centre and commerical premises for business start-ups.

Recognising excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in nature conservation, the eighth annual Nature of Scotland Awards co-sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage are open for applications until 4 June.

Engagement to support local capacity building

To learn from examples of best practice with regard to innovative techniques of engagement with communities, sectors and different groups e.g. Town/Community Councils

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16 UK citizens, including 3 from Scotland, have been awarded Churchill Fellowships to research new ideas for improving rural living, thanks to a partnership between The Prince’s Countryside Fund and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Churchill Fellowships offer UK citizens a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel the world and research a topic of their own choosing.

A unique rewilding training scheme in the Highlands, run by conservation charity Trees for Life and backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is aiming to boost young people’s skills and employability in the rural economy.

Rush Control Roadshow 2019

Soil Association Scotland is inviting farmers to three free on-farm events with Five Agri consultant Ian Cairns, designed to help you make a plan for tackling rushes over the year ahead.

Controlling rushes in conjunction with livestock grazing and good soil management to encourage grass can reduce the need to buy in feed, fertilisers and herbicides, says Cairns.

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