The enthusiasm and internal drive of communities are vital to the development process. We help communities to acquire leadership skills, recognise and develop their strengths and grasp economic opportunities. Such wide-ranging activities build confidence and the quality of life within Caithness & Sutherland.
Partnership plays an important role in our effectiveness in developing the strengths and leadership capabilities of communities. This is evident through our participation in community planning and partnerships with a number of bodies. We have established excellent working links with three Councils of Voluntary Service covering our area: Caithness Voluntary Group, Voluntary Groups East Sutherland and CVS North. Through bodies such as these we hope to enable community groups to acquire and develop their capacities to plan and manage projects. We also work closely with our local Community Planning Partnerships, The Sutherland Partnership and the Caithness Partnership. To find out more about our capacity-building work contact Eann Sinclair on 01847 805205 or email eann.sinclair@hient.co.uk
We are also a key partner in Initiative at the Edge (Iomairt aig an Oir). This is a Scottish Executive programme created to encourage and support ways through which people in our most fragile areas can become involved in the development and management of projects within their local communities. North Sutherland took part in the Initiative between 1998 and 2004, and South East Caithness entered the Initiative in October 2004. To find out more about Initiative at the Edge contact Eann Sinclair on 01847 805205 or email eann.sinclair@hient.co.uk