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Strong, capable and resourceful communities are vital for the social and economic growth of the Highlands and Islands. Our communities generate economic activity, have an important social impact and help to attract new talent to the area.
Our approach to supporting communities is flexible. We listen to you, and collaborate with you, to help you influence long-term change in your own community.
We focus our efforts and invest our resources where we can enhance inclusive growth - growth that benefits everyone - and sustainability. We’re always looking to increase connections between local businesses, public agencies and community organisations.
We encourage an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in the community and social enterprise sector. As part of this, we address market opportunities and social need, supporting fair work practices and resilient business models.
Browse our full range of support services to see how we can help you.
Find out how we can help you in each of the following development areas.
Increasing the role of communities in the ownership and management of land and assets
How we can help businesses with a social and economic impact
Powering our communities
Growing development opportunities
Our region's past has a role in our future
How innovative communities are shaping local development
Meet the people leading community growth
What's been happening in community-led development
A community on the west coast of Scotland officially launches UK’s largest community-owned hydropower scheme
£5.8m facility secure up to £234,554 Green Jobs Fund investment
Cumhachd Shlèite launches micro hydro project
A three-year strategy to help in the recovery of the tourism industry in Skye and Raasay has secured £350,000 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
A community led project on Skye that has helped boost tourism to the Fairy Pools, was formally opened today by Finance and Economy Secretary,Kate Forbes.
Two young people with family connections in the Outer Hebrides have been successful in securing graduate marketing roles in the Isle of Lewis.
Investment in community-led tourism facilities.
A development manager has been appointed to a new community organisation in the Outer Hebrides.
Work is underway to redevelop two former schools in the Isle of Lewis into community hubs offering social and economic opportunities for residents and visitors.
Ten Outer Hebrides community organisations working to build back better after lockdown with HIE support.
People on Arran are set to have more access to fresh local produce in a project that will also help to create two new jobs on the island with financial support from HIE.
Eigg Heritage Trust creating new affordable homes
An investment of £25,000 has been confirmed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) for a community-led green recovery project in the Orkney island of Shapinsay.
We've invested over £1.5m in community-led tourism projects to support local recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Meet some of the communities here.
An island wide approach - community at the heart of tourism
What does a community-led tourism project look like?
West Highland communities invest in tourism
How communities are investing in the future of tourism
voluntary and community groups in our region
of community enterprises been operating for 10 years or more
of community enterprises provide services to public
of community enterprises would like help to attract new talent
We can help you at every stage of your development. Getting your community benefit idea off the ground, helping you maximise the impact, one off project support and long term community development.
Looking for some inspiration on what communities can achieve in their local areas?
Have a look at our Community Development in Action video. It features a range of different community organisations talking about how they're generating income, creating opportunities for themselves and using people power to build a long term future for locals within their own communities.
