Agriculture is a key contributor to the rural economy and has important links to other important sectors, most notably food and drink. The task of HIE is to unlock the potential of rural communities in the Highlands and Islands and help create a strong, diverse and sustainable economy where quality of life is matched by quality of opportunity.
HIE will utilise its community development experience and expertise to offer opportunities to those selected communities willing to take forward ownership of community planning within the fragile areas of the HIE area. You can view the designated fragile areas on our interactive map.
Where crofting has a significant and important economic and cultural role, the Community Growth Plans will include a crofting development statement to reflect crofter input.
Crofters may also, as individuals or collectively, develop social enterprises or micro businesses which are supportable under the Growth at the Edge/Fas aig an Oir (GatE/FaaO) approach. They also often have a linguistic development contribution to make as active users of Gaelic.
HIE will work to complement Community Energy Scotland (CES) activity where communities have secured assistance to bring forward their energy plans.
The Rural Direct service will be delivered by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), providing advice to community groups on project funding sources including the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). For more information, visit www.ruraldirect.org.uk.
The administration of crofting grants for individual crofters will be delivered directly by the Scottish Government through the SRDP and the Crofter Housing Scheme which is currently under review.
