Call goes out to north Highland community groups over Covid recovery funding
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Voluntary groups and businesses that are "making a real difference to community life" are being reminded that they can benefit from a Covid recovery funding programme covering Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.
Thirty communities have now been awarded grants totalling more than £19,000 from the Community Infrastructure Support Programme (CISP) and a call has gone out for others to get in touch.
Set up by North Highland Initiative (NHI) and Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) last year, CISP is continuing to award grants of up to £1000 to groups and businesses to improve community infrastructure and help the region recover from the impact of the pandemic. Organisations that have been supported recently include Wick Paths Group.
There is a strong focus on developing sustainable and "green" infrastructure in the region. Funding is addressing priorities such as footpath restoration, litter and waste capacity, environmental improvements, public toilets, motorhome waste, the creation of designated visitor parking areas, more effective signage and public information boards for visitors.
CISP grants are accessible to community groups that have been unable to receive government support packages and those ineligible for emergency funding. Successful applications will fall into NHI’s main areas of activity which include food and farming, tourism and community support and leadership.
Wick Paths Group was recently awarded a full £1000 grant from CISP to help upgrade the town's popular North Head footpath. The paths group is a subcommittee of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council.
The group's secretary, John Bogle, said: “Wick Paths Group is very grateful for the support received from the NHI. The CISP grant was used to purchase surfacing materials for the path and a bench which looks out to sea at the North Head.
“The bench will provide a welcome resting place for walkers on the path and offers panoramic views out over Wick Bay. It’s a fantastic spot for wildlife watching and observing the comings and goings at Wick harbour.
“We’ve also attached a plaque on the bench to acknowledge the support from NHI.”
CISP is continuing to invite grant applications over the coming months and it will close when all the funding has been allocated.
David Hughes, a board member of NHI, said: “We’re delighted to see the positive benefit of our ongoing partnership with DSRL to deliver immediate community infrastructure funding across the north Highlands, especially at a time when the region needs to work together more than ever to recover from the effects of Covid-19.
“We’re now turning our attention to our environment, which has never been more important. Significant increases in staycation holidays are now being taken by visitors travelling to the north Highlands and this has highlighted areas of infrastructure that need developing to support communities.
“The CISP funding is now being made available to support local businesses and communities that are investing in sustainable services that will support the local economy and the tourism industry. From the maintenance of public footpaths and private eco-campsites, to designated waste disposal locations and educational materials for people visiting the area, we’re looking to hear from community groups and businesses making a real difference to community life in their region as we slowly emerge from the pandemic.”
June Love, community relations manager at DSRL, said: “We’re delighted to see this latest round of support continue to benefit groups in our region.
“Investment to make the area stronger for the future is key to our vision of ensuring we attract and retain the right skills to deliver our mission and ensure the area continues to prosper beyond that in the future.”
More information about the CISP, and how to apply for funding, can be found on the North Highland Initiative website.
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