Communities Urged To Apply For Rural Development Funding

13th October 2008

COMMUNITIES IN HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS URGED TO APPLY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING

Rural community groups in Highlands and Islands are invited to come forward to apply for funding to support and grow the rural economy, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said today.

A total of £19.2 million 'convergance' funding for regional development has been awarded to seven Local Actions Groups (LAGs) in the Highlands and Islands in recognition of its previous status as a disadvantaged and remote area.

This will be added to LEADER* funding to help revitalise and empower rural communities.

Previous examples of projects funded under LEADER include:
- Promoting quality food from Argyll at music festivals across the UK
- Transforming a derelict swimming pool into a unique caving environment for use by young people in Falkirk and Stirling
- Improving harbour access and increasing diver activity to boost tourism in Eyemouth, and;
- Upgrading waterfront facilities to increase visitor numbers in the Shetland Isles.

Mr Lochhead said: "This £19.2 million will empower rural communities in the Highlands and Islands to take action to revitalise and revive remote areas, in line with the Scottish Government's commitment to supporting sustainable economic growth.

"By enabling funding decisions to be taken at a local level, we can ensure a wide variety of high-quality projects that meet local needs. This can range from improving recycling facilities and introducing renewable energy schemes to upgrading village halls and setting up community websites.

"I would encourage community groups in the Highlands and Islands to come forward with innovative ideas and seize this opportunity to take control of their own future.

"LEADER projects are another example of the Scottish Rural Development Programme making a vital contribution to the future prosperity of rural life."

The Local Action Groups will now take funding decisions based on local priorities for projects which are community driven and have a wide community benefit.

1. * LEADER ( Liaison Entre Actions de Dýveloppement Economique Rurale or Links between activities developing the rural economy) is a mainstream part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (SRDP). The SRDP is a major programme of support for rural Scotland worth around £1.6bn over the programme period.

2. LEADER is a grassroots scheme aimed at empowering local communities to develop their own area using innovative approaches and cooperation.

3. LAGs are a partnership made up of local development partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Between them they will be able to draw down nearly ý40 million of funds, a third coming from Europe and two-thirds from the Scottish Government itself.

4. The approval of four new LAGs in Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Moray and Renfrewshire follows the recommendation of an independent assessment panel.

5. Sixteen LAGs were successful in gaining funding approval in March 2008. This latest announcement brings the total of LAGs in Scotland to 20, covering some 95 per cent of rural Scotland.

6. A sum of £0.47 million has been earmarked for
Renfrewshire LAG but retained pending additional information from the group.

7. £19.2 million of European convergence funding has been awarded to the seven LAGs in the Highlands and Islands area in recognition of the Highlands and Islands former status as an Objective 1 area for European regional development funding. The convergence monies will be added to the relevant areas' LEADER awards in order to help implement the high quality local development strategies drawn up by local partnerships in the Highlands and Islands.