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HIE has approved £0.5m support from the Scottish Government’s Islands Green Recovery Programme (IGRP) and a further £249k from its own budget.
The IGRP is a £2m fund to support locally-led green projects designed to help support their economic recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
It is split into four strands and managed by four partners, delivering investment in low carbon transport, food sustainability and zero waste projects.
The £0.5m HIE element is to support green economic recovery across the region’s island communities. It has been awarded to emerging projects that will contribute to the transition to a carbon neutral region.
In Orkney, several development trusts and Orkney Fishermens Society will benefit from a total grant of £135,000.
Three projects in Shetland, by Bressay Development Trust, SFTCT T/A NAFC Marine Centre and EMN Plant, have been awarded a total of £132,000.
In the Western Isles, Gallan Head Community Trust will receive £9,390 towards conversion and decarbonisation of a community building, while CBaB in Barra secured £96,000 for seaweed cultivation using community energy and repurposed fish farm infrastructure.
In Highland, Sleat Community Trust on Skye was awarded £59,547 for insulating and decarbonising the community shop building, while Eigg Trading (Community Development Trust) is to receive £68,000 for heat decarbonisation of community showers and laundry facilities.
HIE has also approved a further £249,368 for seven community-led green recovery projects in Shetland, Orkney, Highland and Argyll to help support local jobs. These include initiatives to increase the availability of electric bike hire and electric vehicle charging points.
Zoe Laird, HIE’s regional head of communities infrastructure, said:
“Some of the biggest impacts of the pandemic have been felt on our islands and it’s important that support is available to help them recover. These important projects will support a green recovery and the transition to a carbon-neutral region. They will benefit many communities across a dispersed population and contribute to the longer-term recovery from the impacts of the pandemic.
“I am very pleased we have been able to provide support and look forward to seeing the benefits arise as the projects take shape.”
A Dingwall based firm is expanding its manufacturing capacity with a £750,000 investment, which is expected to double production capabilities and create new jobs.
HIE has published a report on its latest survey of a thousand businesses across the region, from a variety of sectors.
Over 2,800 businesses which operate within the Scottish wedding industry have been supported by £25.9million worth of funding to help survive the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
A three-year community-led project to bring about recovery and create a more sustainable future for tourism in Wester Ross, has secured £193,000 from HIE.
Tha uachdaran fearainn ann an Eilean Leòdhais air bùth-obrach a cheannach còmhla ri pìos beag fearainn, le taic bho Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ’s nan Eilean (HIE).
The £390,000 project, by destination management organisation Destination Orkney Limited (DOL) will deliver a series of initiatives aimed at inspiring, enabling and delivering destination recovery.
A designer who is keeping the Fair Isle knitting tradition alive on the island has been awarded £40,842 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to expand her business.
Projects that lead the way to a low carbon future, support growth and future industries and enable sustainable communities to thrive in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland are set for development
How communities are investing in the future of tourism
A £2m project underway to upgrade the Isle of Mull Hotel has secured up to £510,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
A solar energy manufacturer in Forres, Moray is to continue its expansion in a move that will increase turnover, create jobs and take the next steps towards employee ownership.
A project to create a new luxury venue and holiday accommodation in Moray has secured up to £100,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
