Four groups in Sutherland set to put ideas into action
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Four organisations in Sutherland are amongst 120 across Scotland to benefit from the Rural Communities Ideas into Action Fund (RCIAF).
The total investment into the county from the 2021/22 funding tranche amounts to some £117,627.
The largest amount has been granted to Dornoch Area Community Interest Company (DACIC). which is set to receive £48,500 towards its project to build a motorhome, coach and car park as part of a multi-phase, community-led redevelopment of a brownfield site.
Scourie Community Development Company’s £36,860 award will enable it to look into the possible development of a community-led renewable energy project.
The group has contracted with Community Energy Scotland to carry out a study across the area to identify possible sites for the development of either a wind or hydro project.
SCDC development manager Helen Houston said: “Most of the communities on the north-west coast have no access to wind farm community benefit funds or common good funds and this makes it more difficult for these communities to access match funding or small project funding.
“The development of a community owned renewable energy resource would offer much needed project funding for communities across the area and stimulate regeneration.”
Durness based environmental group Plastic@Bay has been awarded £18,808 to support a small, innovative plastic recycling enterprise which will focus on the problem of mismanagement of old fishing gear and ocean plastics.
And Farr North Community Development Trust is to receive £13,459 to pilot a meals on wheels type delivery service, delivering an enhanced nutritional meal to vulnerable, at-risk and isolated members of the community.
The development trust covers Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra, Strathy, Armadale and Melvich.
The Rural Communities Ideas into Action Fund represents a £1.5 million investment from the Scottish Government to encourage and support innovative approaches to community-led local development in rural communities across Scotland.
A spokesman for the fund said: “Projects funded will contribute positively to local people and local priorities, helping rural communities to thrive through community led initiatives.
“The projects funded are as diverse as Scotland’s rural communities, and include new approaches to affordable housing, local food production and delivery, facilities for sustainable tourism and youth skills development.”
Do you have a story for the Northern Times? Email: editor@northern-times.co.uk
