The Moray-based charity, the Findhorn Foundation, helps to generate almost £3m in local household income and supports around 300 jobs in the Forres and Findhorn area, according to a recent study commissioned by Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise.

The report goes on to say that on a wider basis, the Foundation helps to generate over £5m and support over 400 jobs in the Highlands and Islands economy.

The study was carried out to determine the economic impact the Foundation has locally as well as to investigate its future business potential and areas of work and expertise that could benefit communities across the north of Scotland.

The study was carried out on behalf of MBSE, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network, by Brian Burns Associates in association with economist, Steve Westbrook.  In addition, Findhorn Foundation staff gave their full co-operation to the study.

The consultants' findings highlight the role of the Foundation in helping to generate and support new business start-ups and expansions in Moray and helping to broaden the area's skills base. Additionally the report highlighted several social, educational, cultural and environmental impacts.

These include attracting residents to the area, helping to sustain services and community life in Findhorn and Forres, and helping to diversify educational provision in Moray by supporting the Moray Steiner School.  The Foundation is also active in implementing sustainable development policies and practices, while the Universal Hall at Findhorn provides a local venue for a range of cultural events.

The report makes a number of recommendations, such as awareness-raising of the Foundation's activities and development of tourism links, and identifies the potential in relation to issues such as renewable energy.

MBSE chief executive, Douglas Yule, said the findings of the study were important in planning ahead for the area's economic and social development.  He added:  "The report clearly demonstrates that the Findhorn Foundation is an important player in the Moray economy.  As well as bringing a great many people to the area for conferences and courses, the activities of the Foundation help to maintain a diverse range of skills in the area's population and make major contributions to the main learning centres.

"This report will help us develop strategies and make decisions about Moray's economic development in the future.  We will be looking closely at the various recommendations made in the report by the consultants with a view to seeing which ones we can pick up in the short to medium term.  We will also be making the report available to partner organisations such as the Moray Council, so they too can make use of the information."

Geoffrey Colwill, finance director of the Findhorn Foundation added:  "As the Foundation community enters its 41st year, we appreciate the support of MBSE in providing an external, objective assessment of the financial and other contributions that the Foundation makes to the local community.  Although our status worldwide is high, as demonstrated by our status as an NGO associated with the Dept of public information of the United Nations, our local standing and relationships have often provided some of our greatest challenges.  This report is a further step in improving our local connections and identifying areas of mutual benefit where we can work more closely together with individuals and organisations in the area.

"The Foundation's recent financial turn around should enable us to ensure the long term presence of a thriving community  making its contribution to the local region on many levels.  We have over 60,000 visitors to our website every month who find out about this part of the world through the connection with the Foundation bringing many more visitors to the region.  We hope to work with MBSE more closely in the future, building on the recommendations for development outlined in the report."