First funding awards for Moray LEADER

Over half a million pounds has been awarded to projects in the first funding round from the new Moray LEADER Programme.

The first successful projects include Macbeth-themed holiday lodges, an exciting new social enterprise hub, a major event highlighting the issue of poverty in the area and renovation work on one of Elgin's top attractions.

The decision to fund the projects was made by the Moray LEADER Local Action Group a partnership made up of representatives of the public, private and third sectors and independent members from across Moray.

Norman MacAskill, Moray LEADER Programme Manager said:

"We are thrilled to be able to announce the investment of around half a million pounds of LEADER funding in these excellent and varied projects, all of which will contribute to the economic and community development of Moray. In their subject, size and scope, they demonstrate the wide variety of activities that can be funded by LEADER, and we know that many other exciting projects from across Moray will be coming up for consideration in the near future."

Alastair Kennedy, Chair of Moray LEADER Local Action Group (LAG) said:

"The Moray LEADER LAG is delighted to have been able to agree these applications. Members are pleased at the variation in the applications which obviously meant lengthy deliberations by the LAG before they could be agreed. It also shows that the Local Development Strategy, which the LAG must work within, allows for a variety of successful applications."

Ekopia Resource Exchange Limited were awarded funding to develop a Social Enterprise Hub at Findhorn Ecovillage. Fasil Bogale from the organisation said:

"Ekopia Resource Exchange Ltd is a community benefit co-operative which, since 2001, has been successfully supporting innovative local social enterprises and community development in Moray. We are extremely grateful to have received this substantial grant from Moray Leader, which allows us to utilise our expertise by building a Social Enterprise Hub, in order to provide collaborative, supportive and affordable working space for Moray social enterprises."

The projects awarded funding are:

Macbeth’s Hillock                              £118,415.06

Karen Sutherland from Brodie has been awarded funding to improve Macbeth’s Hillock - the site where Shakespeare’s Macbeth is said to have met the three witches - from a currently undervalued tourist destination to a focal point in the promotion of Moray as the home of Macbeth. LEADER will part-fund the development of five mini lodges for holiday accommodation, which will have a quirky uneven appearance so as to resemble witch huts, and information boards which will tell the story of Macbeth, the witches and the Real Macbeth, as well as giving tourists information about other sites in the area relevant to this time.

The award will cover 70% of the total eligible project costs.

Findhorn Social Enterprise Hub        £369,262.61

Ekopia Resource Exchange Limited of Findhorn have been awarded funding to develop and build a Social Enterprise Hub at Findhorn Ecovillage, the aim of which is to provide a collaborative, supportive and affordable working space for innovative social enterprises in the Moray area. The hub will provide offices, workshops, spaces for food production/craft activities and facilities such as hot-desking, along with access to social networks, peer support, information and expertise in an environment which will facilitate collaboration, innovation and cross-pollination, thereby supporting Social Enterprises to develop their enterprises and increase the impact of their work. 

The award will cover 70% of the total eligible project costs.

Moray Poverty Conference               £3,142

Moray Foodbank has been awarded funding to run a conference on poverty in Moray, working with members of the Fairer Moray Forum, a strategic group consisting of representatives from third sector organisations, NHS Grampian, Parliament, and The Moray Council. The conference will be a free event with a variety of speakers covering different aspects of poverty. Professionals attending the event will gain knowledge, create new links and ultimately be better placed to support their clients and improve the lives of those most in need in Moray.

The award will cover 70% of the total eligible project costs.

Renovation of Elgin Museum            £28,560

The Moray Society has been awarded funding for renovation work on Elgin Museum that will address key issues which will significantly improve the condition of the building, protecting its collections housed within as well as prolonging its lifespan allowing future generations to benefit from this significant and much loved resource. The physical work will be an addition to the architectural appearance and the overall ambiance of the historic High Street and the Museum building will be a stopping point for visitors who wish to study the growth of the burgh and the development of architectural styles through time since the award of the burgh charter by King David I in 1136. 

The award will cover 25% of the total eligible project costs.

Visit the Moray LEADER website for more information on funding available through the programme.

More about LEADER across Scotland

You can find out about LEADER across Scotland in the LEADER section of our website, where you can also submit an Expression of Interest form if you have an idea for a project.

And watch our short film below to find out more about six inspiring projects that received funding in the LEADER 2007-2013 programme.

Scottish LEADER programme from ScottishRuralNetwork on Vimeo.