Orkney Leader

Holyrood comes to Orkney to hear views on Islands Bill
The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee will hold a public meeting in Orkney on Monday evening (October 2).
The Committee is seeking the views of local people and organisations as it considers the potential impact of the Scottish Government’s Islands (Scotland) Bill.
... The Committee is encouraging as many local people to join the audience, take part in a Q&A session, and share their experiences of living and working in Orkney.
The meeting takes places from 6:30 to 9pm at the Orkney Theatre. If you’d like to attend, please book free tickets by contacting the Scottish Parliament’s Visitor Services by email visit@parliament.scot or telephone 0131 348 5200.
The Islands Bill covers significant issues, such as the requirement to make sure new policies and legislation do not disadvantage the islands, marine licensing for coastal waters, and the publication of a national islands plan. The Committee’s meeting in Orkney is an opportunity to help shape the future of Scotland’s island communities.
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Looking for an idea for farm diversification? Alpaca trekking has been part funded by LEADER in Dumfries and Galloway.

A project recently complete with funding from LEADER and the Community Development Fund

Interested in applying for funding for your community project, get in touch.

Comic Relief’s Core Strength – Local Communities Grants programme is now open for applications from small voluntary and community groups across the UK that need help with their basic running costs - see the website for more details.

Community Development and Capacity Building Fund
The Orkney Partnership is committed to enhancing the lives of older adults through the work of the Positive Ageing Delivery Group.
Funding in the form of small, start up grants, is available to support the establishment or development of new and innovative activities in local communities that will help to keep older adults active and socially engaged.
... If you would like to find out more or would like to request an application form please contact Meghan at Meghan.McEwen@vaorkney.org.uk
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The Scottish Islands Federation are holding an Island Gathering event in partnership with the Orkney International Science Festival. The event will be held over three days, Monday 11 to Wednesday 13 September, covering topics including tourism, island produce and branding, sustainable transport and energy transition. So far there are 29 islanders coming to the event from across Europe, as well as some of the Scottish islands, however, they are keen for Orkney communities to also be represented
If you are interested in finding out more about the event please contact Kirsty MacColl, Development Officer for the Scottish islands Federation at kirsty@scottish-islands-federation.c o.uk

Funding advice for food and drink enterprises and primary agriculture
Connect Local is a free, advisory service for the Scottish food and drink sector funded by Scottish Government and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. A team of food and drink experts offer a wide range of services including advice on sources of private and public funding support. Visit http://connectlocal.scot, email info@connectlocal.scot or call 01224 711044 for more information.

The Scottish Government is inviting applications from community groups in Scotland to develop and implement projects that will reduce the environmental impact of their community through reducing carbon emissions.
Grants of up to £150,000 per year, per project, are available to Scottish-based voluntary, community, and not-for-profit organisations to plan, develop, and implement projects that offer significant carbon emission reduction, are community-led, and aim to improve the lives of future generations.
Find out more on the Climate Challenge Fund website

9 projects have been awarded funding by LEADER in our most recent rounds. If you have a project idea get in touch.

Kirkwall Bowling Club testing their new artificial green, a project part funded by LEADER.

Have an idea for a farm diversification project in Orkney? Get in touch to find out more about the funding we have available.

Looking for funding for a community project? Why not sign up to the SRN Funding Bulletin