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Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Visits Philiphaugh Community Centre to Celebrate Community-Led Action
Minister praises the commitment and creativity of young people and local partners in Borders visit.
Philiphaugh Community Centre in Selkirk welcomed Jim Fairlie, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, on 8 October 2025, as part of a programme highlighting innovative, community-led approaches to tackling poverty and supporting young people in the Scottish Borders.
During the visit, the Minister was greeted by local volunteers and representatives from a range of community organisations. The programme included an introduction to the Borders Local Action Group (LAG), which has distributed over £12 million in funding to local projects over the past two decades, supporting initiatives that improve life for Borderers.
A key moment of the visit was a video presentation by the Youth Local Action Group (YLAG), a dynamic team of young people aged 14 to 26 who are responsible for distributing funds to youth-led projects across the region. The video showcased YLAG’s priorities—mental health and wellbeing, support for underrepresented groups, skills development, business and enterprise, and tackling rural poverty—and highlighted the positive impact of youth-led grant making in the Borders.
Mr Fairlie praised the commitment and creativity of local partners, stating:
“It’s inspiring to see how community-led action, especially by young people, is making a real difference in the Scottish Borders. The work of the LAG, YLAG, and their partners is a model for empowering communities and supporting the next generation.”
The Minister also heard from YouthBorders, the network for voluntary youth organisations, and Rowlands Selkirk, a community-based youth group, about their collaborative work to empower young people and deliver vital services. Further presentations featured the Selkirk Can Cook project and the community-led cook club, both supported by Scottish Borders Housing Association and Scottish Borders Council through Community Led Local Development (CLLD) funding.
Robin Tatler, Executive Member for Public Safety and Resilience, said:
“Ensuring the safety and resilience of our communities is at the heart of everything we do in the Scottish Borders. By working in partnership with local organisations and empowering residents—including our young people—we are building a safer, more resilient region for everyone.
“The commitment and creativity shown by our communities is a real inspiration, and together we are making a lasting difference.”
The event concluded with a discussion on parental support services and employability programmes, underlining the importance of partnership working in addressing youth poverty and building resilient communities.
Find out more about Community Led Local Development HERE
