Community development

 More than £25 million is going to disadvantaged and remote communities around Scotland to support regeneration and employment projects.

The money from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) will go to 26 projects to tackle inequalities and deliver inclusive growth.  

Plans are underway to develop two hydro schemes on the Isle of Raasay with the launch of a £650,000 community share offer, which goes live today (Tuesday 12 January 2021).

Women living in rural communities and women in agriculture will benefit from two new schemes designed to address inequality and provide more opportunities.

Links between north and south communities on the Isle of Kerrera, near Oban, will be strengthened with the upgrade of a connecting track which will make it easier to travel across the island.

2020 Virtual SURF Awards Presentation Dinner

SURF and the Scottish Government have teamed up again to deliver the prestigious SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration for 2020. These are presented each year to projects that are judged by a panel of independent regeneration experts to be performing outstanding regeneration work in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities. This year the Awards had a particular focus on celebrating the efforts of projects in responding to the challenges and impacts of Covid-19.

More than 200 jobs will be created through the development of a new deep water terminal in the Outer Hebrides.

Initial work will begin on the Stornoway Deep Water Terminal with Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing confirming £49 million investment from a number of partners to strengthen transport links and support a range of diverse industries in the Western Isles. 

A community’s resilience is at the heart of how it survives and thrives.  With the impacts of COVID-19 on rural and island communities over the last year, kindness and solidarity have been essential in providing support to vulnerable and isolated members of the community.

With winter now fast approaching and the potential impacts of adverse weather, it’s timely to highlight the support available and how communities can utilise their strengths to prepare for, respond to, and recover from challenges.

A consultation, seeking the views of those who travel to, from, in and around Abington, Douglas, Leadhills and Wanlockhead, is taking place as part of an ambitious feasibility study to improve active travel infrastructure in those areas.

Find out about some current rural development jobs and vacancies in rural areas.

Development Manager - John O’Groats Mill Trust 

A group of Moray’s independent funders have come together to form the new Moray Funders’ Forum with the aim of making sure that available resources are getting to the right places.

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