Funding

The latest Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fund (KITF) opens today (Wednesday 22 May).

KTIF supports projects that help farmers and crofters to acquire new skills and share learning across the agricultural sector. Successful projects will receive grants of up to £200,000 to help farmers develop their skills and improve the competitiveness and sustainability of their businesses.

A call to recipients of rural development funding to help with the development of potential future schemes has been made by the Scottish Government.

A fund to help community groups across Scotland set up renewable energy generation projects has opened for applications.

The £1.5 million Community Energy Generation Growth Fund will support local communities installing wind turbines and solar panels or developing other types of renewable energy generation, such as hydro, to meet local needs. 

Funding for unique environmental projects designed by young people for young people has been announced by NatureScot during this year’s Green Health Week.

Three former Royal Marines have spent an afternoon on a farm in Angus as part of an RSABI mental health first aid training initiative. The former Marines, with 86 years of service between them, were put through their paces in the lambing shed by the Jackson family who farm at Southtown of Melgund near Brechin.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, has signed off the 'Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill - Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment'. 

The new Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill aims to provide the legal framework to deliver:

Sheep producers who have lost livestock to sea-eagles will continue to receive support from Scottish Government for 2024. Up to £400,000 has been allocated to the Sea Eagle Management Scheme (SEMS) to help farmers explore different management techniques and trial new prevention measures.

Land managers in receipt of financial support through long-term Management Agreements as part of the scheme have been assured payments will continue this year.