The second phase of the European-funded Community Economic Development (CED) programme is well under way in Skye and Lochalsh.

So far the programme has injected over £80,000 into Skye and Lochalsh communities and with a budget of £70,000 remaining in phase two of the programme there is great scope for even more community development.  The second phase will run until the end of 2006.

The CED programme was established to help support local social and economic development.  It is part-financed by the European Union under the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme and aims to facilitate 'bottom-up' community development by providing funding to support small scale projects at a local level.

Projects already assisted in the area include South Skye Marine Developments Association and Cuillin FM community radio.

South Skye Marine Developments Association received a CED grant of £10,000 towards the cost of installing a pontoon and power and water facilities at Armadale old pier and improving the safety of the facility, providing safe and easy access for all users.

The aim of the development was to retain regular visitors as well as attract new marine visitors, increasing important tourism business for the area.

Cuillin FM also received a CED grant of £10,000 to help with the cost of setting up temporary studio accommodation and the purchase of related equipment.

The organisation has extensive community support including some 30 volunteers with an interest in programme production, broadcasting and administration. 

More recently, Cuillin FM received funding through the CED programme to employ the services of a community resource worker (CRW).  The CRW scheme offers community-based groups the chance to employ the services of an individual, on a short-term contract, to focus on a specific phase of development or piece of work.

The CRW at Cuillin FM will assist with the recruitment and training of additional volunteers as well as developing office systems and procedures and setting up a radio club to involve young people in all aspects of running the radio station.

Any established group that doesn't already have employees can apply to the CRW scheme.  It is a competitive application process and not all applications will receive funding, however almost 30 groups throughout Skye and Lochalsh have already benefited from the scheme, including Glenelg and Arnisdale Community Hall, Curam Cloinne Shleite, the Food Link Group (Skye and Lochalsh) and Plockton and District Community Council.

The CRW for Plockton and District Community Council helped to develop and submit funding applications, assisting with their fundraising efforts to provide a new pontoon in Plockton harbour.

CRW's can assist with various tasks including fundraising, community consultations, feasibility studies, project planning and development, business planning and research work.  The group decides what needs to be done and sets the tasks for the CRW to undertake.

CED programme co-ordinator and development manager with Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise (SALE), Jennifer Robertson, said: "We invite applications to the CED programme for financial assistance from community groups who can demonstrate that their project will be of benefit to the whole community.

"We want to encourage organisations in the area to come forward with exciting and innovative proposals - groups who are looking to develop and enhance their communities, while creating employment and other economic opportunities.

"The CED programme can be of great benefit to many rural communities, the assistance given can help to provide a more secure future for these areas."