Community development

One of Scotland’s largest community buyouts that has appeared at risk in recent weeks has received a major boost thanks to a £0.5 million pledge from the Dunblane-based Carman Family Foundation.

The community of the small town of Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway aims to buy 10,500 acres of Langholm Moor – jointly valued at £6 million – from Buccleuch’s Borders Estate.

Construction work is underway on a £1.6million housing, health and economic project in Skye.

The eagerly-awaited site start in Stenscholl, Staffin by island-based James MacQueen Builders comes 21 years after the last affordable housing development opened in the north-east Skye community.

Around 23,000 low income households without proper internet access will be helped to get online with the assistance of £15 million of Scottish Government funding.

The Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Communities Fund) 2014-2020 Programmes have both supported nearly 60 unique projects thus far in the current programme.  The Outer Hebrides LEADER and Fisheries Local Action Groups (LAG) manage both programmes, which aims to develop and support community-led local development in the Outer Hebrides.   

Research published today by Scottish Rural Action highlights that ‘thinking, resourcing and acting local’ is the key to enabling recovery from the impacts of Covid-19 in rural communities across Scotland. The research provides backing for the regional approach to economic recovery recommended by the Higgins Report, published last month.
 

Three small villages in Dumfries and Galloway are harnessing a new technology platform to create a virtual community, bringing together all sorts of information relating to their communities under the one umbrella.

Community Action Lanarkshire, a project of the Rural Development Trust, is delighted after being awarded almost £148,000 in National Lottery funding to continue its work with rural communities across Lanarkshire.

The next funding round of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewables Energy Scheme (CARES) is now open.

Communities, public sector organisations and rural businesses looking to make long term environmental changes and play a part in the green recovery after COVID-19 are encouraged to apply.

A number of Tyne Esk LEADER projects have successfully adapted to the 'new normal' brought about by COVID-19.