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Highlands and Islands Climate Hub concerned about ‘unstable funding landscape’





Hub manager Joan Lawrie says she is 'acutely aware of the challenges faced mostly by third sector organisations'.
Hub manager Joan Lawrie says she is 'acutely aware of the challenges faced mostly by third sector organisations'.

The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub has raised concerns over the “unstable funding landscape” and its potential impact on projects and livelihoods.

The organisation says it is pleased to have received accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation for its commitment to paying staff the Living Wage. However, it wants to see more action to help third sector groups keep up with those in other sectors.

The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub is one of 22 across Scotland that are funded by the Scottish Government to promote and support communities taking climate action.

Hub manager Joan Lawrie said she understood that the work she was doing previously as development manager for Thurso Community Development Trust was intrinsically linked with climate action. This led to an application to the Scottish Government and the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub became one of the two pilot hubs in late 2021.

She said that since then the hub had “gone from strength to strength” with continued support from the Scottish Government and input from members.

Membership has grown to more than 300 groups, businesses and individuals that support the work of the hub and are committed to tackling the climate emergency at grassroots level.

The hub supports communities from Shetland to Lochaber and employs 11 staff. Various projects and initiatives have been supported over the past three years.

Ms Lawrie said: “I’m thrilled the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub has received accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation as recognition of our commitment to offering a fair wage, and hope that we can set an example to other organisations to consider the same.

“I am, however, acutely aware of the challenges faced mostly by third sector organisations which mean they cannot participate in these types of initiatives through no fault of their own.

“The unstable funding landscape often leaves individuals and organisations without clarity of their future. This puts projects, livelihoods and ambition into jeopardy.

“Without further commitment or longer funding awards, third sector organisations are restricted and valued employees leave the sector in frustration and an attempt to find job security.”

The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub has committed to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First policy.

As part of Challenge Poverty Week 2024 (October 7-13), the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub will host an event with a guest speaker from the Poverty Alliance. It will explore how communities can contribute to Scotland’s net-zero aspirations through climate action projects.


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