North mill project a ‘great example’ of how to attract funding into region
£250k helped leverage a further £3.6m in national investment
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The Aspiring Communities Fund, which levers in European Social Funds, was launched by the Scottish Government in 2017 to help reduce poverty and enable inclusive growth in disadvantaged and fragile communities across Scotland.
HIE has helped community organisations in the region apply to this recent round of funding.
The funding was approved shortly before the COVID-19 lockdown. We are now working with groups leading the projects to help ensure delivery of the benefits in the context of the pandemic.
Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said:
“The Scottish Government wants to create a fairer and more equal Scotland and we know that local communities understand best where funding can make a difference in their own areas.
“The Aspiring Communities funding will support organisations to deliver tangible, innovative approaches to tackle poverty and inequality based on local need and priorities.
“I’m confident that each of these great projects will support people to tackle the disadvantages they face and have a long-lasting, positive impact on people’s lives and the communities they live in – many of which have been impacted by the non-health harms caused by Covid-19.”
Douglas Cowan, HIE’s director of communities and place, said:
“It’s great to see more projects in the Highlands and Islands receiving support from the Aspiring Communities Fund. The fund supports community organisations to develop relevant services to address local circumstances and needs.
“It is designed to empower and strengthen community resilience, sustainability and quality of life by supporting valuable local initiatives that tackle poverty and social inclusion.
“The COVID-19 lockdown has presented news challenges for everyone and we are working with the community organisations leading the projects to help ensure they can progress in the context of the pandemic.”
Six of the 11 new awards, totalling nearly £617,000 were awarded to groups in the Outer Hebrides. Nearly £450,000 was invested in two Caithness and Sutherland initiatives. Two projects in Orkney benefitted from more than £330,000 investment and one project in Inverness-shire received more than £130,000.
Aspiring Communities Fund fifth round approvals:
£250k helped leverage a further £3.6m in national investment
Plans to establish a new facility in Moray that is expected to support up to 300 manufacturing jobs in the next ten years have secured up to £5.6m capital investment.
Partnership supports childcare career development in Skye
Event in Portree on Saturday 27 April to encourage more people into the profession
HIE funding will support the element of the project that focuses specifically on reducing carbon emissions and energy costs.
The Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands exhibition has been created by communities across the region as part of the Spirit of the Highlands and Islands Project.
Community trust to convert steading to create new distillery
The owners have secured up to £175,900 investment from HIE towards the works, which will help boost annual turnover and support local jobs.
A community project is under way in Knoydart to improve cycling facilities for visitors and residents.
Sumitomo Electric UK Power Cables Ltd plans to establish major operations in the region, supplying high voltage cables to the growing offshore wind energy sector.