Christmas Present For Caithness Nature

21st December 2009

A funding pot of £40,000 will bring some seasonal cheer to environmental enthusiasts in Caithness over the next 3 years. The Caithness Partnership has secured the funds from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Highland Leader Programme to operate a Caithness Environment Fund.

The scheme will encourage community groups to apply for financial assistance towards the delivery of projects in Caithness that help care for the natural environment and increase people's enjoyment, awareness and sense of responsibility for nature locally.
The Caithness Environmental Fund will focus on "involvement" and "biodiversity". It aims to increase opportunities for people to learn about and look after nature. It will also provide support to implement actions from the Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan which is underpinned by the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.

Grants of up to £6000 may be applied for although there is a requirement for 10% "in kind" or cash contribution from the applicant. The fund aims to encourage groups that would not normally seek funding due to the somewhat intimidating amount of paperwork that can be required no matter how small their project. The application process for the Caithness Environmental Fund is therefore straightforward and Koreen MacDougall, the Caithness Development Officer will discuss potential projects with applicants, offering guidance on eligibility, and provide support to complete the forms and to source other funding where required.

The Caithness Partnership will manage the fund with representatives from the Caithness Environmental Forum on the assessment panel. Councillor Robert Coghill, Chair of the Caithness Environment Forum said "I'm delighted that SNH and LEADER have awarded monies to implement this small grants scheme. In these difficult economic times it is refreshing to see that the Caithness Partnership Environmental Fund will be able to offer small voluntary groups some assistance to put their projects into action"

Koreen MacDougall, Caithness Development Officer urged local groups to contact her "if there are voluntary community groups there with a special interest in wildlife, or others keen to learn more about their local heritage, or would like to care for their environment then please contact me if you have a project in mind". Koreen is based in the Caithness Partnership's office at 50A High Street, Wick; Telephone 01955 606483 or e mail koreen[AT]caithness-partnership.org.uk