Community development

The Tyne Esk LEADER Programme was formally launched at twin events -  the Haddington Show on the 2 July and the Dalkeith Show on 9 July 2016.

Both events were well attended by, primarily, famers and families and the Tyne Esk LEADER stall was kept busy answering questions and entertaining children.  LEADER LAG members as well as the staff team were on hand at the stall throughout the two days.

The Big Lottery Fund has launched a new multi-million pound programme to support community-led projects to develop or build assets for community use.

Through the new Community Assets fund, groups can apply for grants from £10,000 to £1 million to buy, build or develop buildings and land. Between now and 2020, up to £45 million is available through the fund in Scotland.

The communities of Woolfords, Auchengray and Tarbrax in South Lanarkshire are set to benefit from two major community benefit packages.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) wants to hear your views on nine big issues in the Park including flood management, housing and economic development.

The Big Park Big Questions consultation has been launched to gather views on the key issues to be addressed in the next National Park Partnership Plan 2017-2022 - a management plan for the Park which sets out a vision and overarching strategy for managing the area.

Almost £550,000 of LEADER funding has been awarded to projects following the first round of decision making meetings with the Dumfries & Galloway LEADER Local Action Group.

Funding of £549,901.35 has been awarded to projects with a total value of £1,250,258.26. Supported projects were varied and include both The Whithorn Trust’s Iron Age Roundhouse which explores the history and heritage of the region, as well as farm diversification funding to provide an alpaca trekking experience!

The Big Lottery Fund's new Celebrate programme is now open for applications, with £575,000 funding for projects in Scotland.

Grants of up to £5,000 are available to groups to hold one-off events or activities which celebrate their local community.

According to research carried out for the Big Lottery Fund, six out of ten people cannot remember ever coming together to celebrate with their community.

This year's SURF Awards are open for entries in five categories.

These annual awards are open to any regeneration project in Scotland that is currently in operation or has been completed within two years of the September 2016 closing date.

The award categories are:

Connections Conference 2016

Dumfries & Galloway Unlimited is delighted to announce that their annual conference will take place at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal in Dumfries on Wednesday 31 August 2016, and promises to be their biggest and best conference yet.

Starting with a Funders breakfast in the morning, and including opportunities for skills development in the afternoon, their Regional Conference is the place to be to make new connections and get connected with the arts community in Dumfries & Galloway.

Gorgie City Farm Fundraiser

Gorgie City Farm needs your help!

Rising costs and a serious reduction in external funding has resulted in the City Farm asking its loyal visitors and supporters to help keep the Farm open.
Having supported the local community for 38 years, Gorgie City Farm works with over 100 volunteers every week through training, work experience, social opportunities and personal support.

On the 10 July 2016, SKYbar will be hosting a Fundraising Event - offering the best views in the city!

In just over two months and with more than 1,400 investors from over 20 countries, the investment total soared above the £1.5 million target to make a community-owned distillery project a success.  This is believed to be Scotland's largest community share offer to date.

Founder, John F. McKenzie, GlenWyvis Community Benefit Society, said:

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