Highlands and Islands Enterprise is unique in the UK as an enterprise agency which is able to pursue both economic and community development.
The Highlands and Islands cover over 50% of Scotland's landmass, including over 90 inhabited islands, but account for less than 10% of the population. HIE continues to support projects in the less prosperous parts of the area, recognising difficulties in bringing forward projects in remote areas and the additional costs which living and operating in remote locations involve.
Fragile areas are characterised by a number of factors including weakening of communities through population loss; low incomes; limited employment opportunities; poor infrastructure and remoteness. Over 56,000 people, or 13% of the Highlands and Islands population, live within the fragile areas. HIE gives these the greatest priority, increasing intervention rates and supporting a broader range of projects than it would consider in the more prosperous parts of the region.
Currently, HIE's support focuses on working with social enterprises, land asset and management, renewable energy, growing fragile communities, Gaelic language and arts and culture.
HIE's community development programme forms a part of the agency's Growth at the Edge approach. This applies to the most fragile areas of the Highlands and Islands. For more information about Growth at the Edge, contact Neil Ross.
You can view all of the designated fragile areas on our interactive map.
