Enterprise

Sarah Hyslop, LEADER Manager for Ayrshire Local Action Group attended a European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) transnational Community-Led Local Development (CLLD) Seminar – Achieving results the CLLD way: Putting the method to work - in early December.

Participants included people from Managing Authorities, Local Action Groups (LAGs)/Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs), Networks, European Commission and regional/national organisations from many member states including Sweden, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia, Cyprus, Italy and Hungary.

Scottish Rural Action have launched their full Manifesto for Rural Scotland.

The manifesto was released in draft form in September 2016 and was officially launched at the Scottish Rural Action AGM in Perth on 9 December.

During the second Scottish Rural Parliament event held in Brechin, Angus in October, delegates had the chance to propose changes to the wording and additions to the content of the manifesto before it was agreed on by those in attendance at the event.

Amanda Burgauer, chair of Scottish Rural Action, said:

The 'Boosting businesses along the fisheries supply chain' event took place in Thessaloniki, Greece from 18-20 October 2016.

The Outer Hebrides LEADER Local Action Group announced recently that over £1 million has been awarded in grants to community groups and businesses across the Outer Hebrides since the programme opened for applications in April 2016.

The SRUC Rural Policy Centre has launched its Rural Scotland in Focus 2016 report.

The report provides a fast-track to up-to-date evidence and commentary on key topics of rural and national importance, in order to inform policy, practice and research.

Rural Scotland in Focus 2016 is the fourth report in the series, and was launched at an event in Edinburgh on 29 November attended by over 90 people.

A small Scottish hostel has made it to the finals of a biennial European Commission Award designed to recognise businesses at the forefront of eco-innovation.

The European Business Award for the Environment supports the growing number of enterprises that put protecting the environment at the very heart of their work.

A new report published by the Carnegie UK Trust highlights key lessons on towns and their development across the UK and Ireland.

The 'Turnaround Towns' report by Jane-Frances Kelly sets out the stories of eight towns from around the world, from Duluth in Minnesota to Newcastle in New South Wales, that have experienced difficult times but have made significant transformations.

Over 200 people gathered in at Gogarburn in Edinburgh on 14 November at an event designed to recognise the collective contribution of women to agriculture and rural or land-based industries.

The Plunkett Foundation have announced the regional shortlists in the 2016 Rural Community Ownership Awards.

A diverse range of community cooperatives across Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been shortlisted for the awards.

The Scottish finalists are:

• Buth Bharraigh Ltd, Isle of Barra
• Glenwyvis Distillery, Dingwall
• Raasay Community Shop, Isle of Raasay

Peter Couchman, Chief Executive of Plunkett Foundation, said: