Learning and skills

This year's SURF Awards are open for entries in five categories.

These annual awards are open to any regeneration project in Scotland that is currently in operation or has been completed within two years of the September 2016 closing date.

The award categories are:

Know a farmer or farm business that deserves recognition? Enter or make a nomination for the British Farming Awards 2016 by 15 July.

Now in its fourth year, the awards recognise the hard work, innovation and determination of farming and showcase the achievements of farmers working in the UK agricultural industry.

The Amsterdam Rural Forum and National Rural Networks meeting brought delegates from across Europe to Amsterdam on 11 and 12 May for presentations, workshops, performances and even milk tasting!

This inspiring event was a chance to hear about innovative rural development projects making use of the arts and to reflect on how we, at National Rural Network Support Units, can be more creative in our work.

Scotland is being represented at this week's Swedish Rural Parliament, one of the largest gatherings for rural development in Europe.

Bill Sturrock, a member of Angus LEADER Local Action Group, and Sarah Hyslop, Ayrshire LEADER Programme Manager, are being supported by the Scottish Rural Network to attend the event.

The Swedish Rural Parliament event takes place in Visby, Gotland from 27 to 29 May. The theme for 2016 is 'Towards a balanced country'.

The Scottish Rural Parliament are holding events across the country to help them create a Manifesto for Rural Scotland.

Ann-Marie Meikle and Don Morrison from the Scottish Rural Network Support Unit attended events in Inverclyde on 4 May and Newtonmore on 17 May to find out more.

In this article, Anne Connor - Chief Executive of Out of the Box - tells us about their work to find out how rural communities can work well for older people.

Five communities in Dumfries and Galloway will take part in Day of the Region 2016.

Dumfries and Galloway LEADER Team announced that Annan, Glentrool, Kirkconnel & Kelloholm, Lochmaben and Sanquhar will be opening their doors this September for Day of the Region celebrations.