UPDATED: 21 initiatives have now been selected. A full list can be found here. A map of all 21 funded initiatives can be found here.
12 initiatives have been selected as some of the first projects to benefit from the £2m Islands Green Recovery Programme (Prògram Ath-Shlànachaidh Uaine nan Eilean).
Seaweed farming, environmentally friendly washing for B&Bs, and local food production are just some of the initial initiatives to benefit from community focused green funding strand.
The £900,000 community strand of funding managed by Inspiring Scotland sought applications from island community groups, charities and businesses to support capital expenditure projects that contribute to the green recovery, reduce carbon emissions as well as improve the resilience, health and wellbeing for Island communities.
KelpCrofting Ltd will use the funding to establish community-scale seaweed farming off the coast of Skye creating employment opportunities for the local community and developing products to support food and agriculture supply chains.
Eschol Guest House based on Lewis will use the funding to establish a shared eco laundry facility for themselves and several other tourism accommodation units on Lewis, reducing their carbon footprint and delivering more sustainable tourism solutions.
Woodside Arran CIC will use the funding to purchase agricultural land to grow and supply more locally sourced fresh vegetables for their community and develop fresh food vending machines for the community.
Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse said:
“These fascinating projects, driven by the ideas of islanders themselves, will help our island communities to thrive, contribute to our work on population retention and repopulation. They will also help create new jobs while also supporting and enhancing health and wellbeing and the development of local supply chains and the associated economic output that comes with this, in line with the commitments set out in the National Islands Plan.
“The £2 million Islands Green Recovery Programme will support a recovery that drives investment that lowers greenhouse gas emissions while increasing the resilience of island communities through investment in: a range of active and low carbon transport projects, environmentally-safe tourism, as well as food sustainability and zero waste projects that support and impact upon the green circular economy and related employment and I really look forward to seeing the positive impacts of these projects.”
Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive Celia Tennant said:
“We are delighted to be able to support a wide range of locally-led green projects through Scottish Government’s investments. This support will make a vital contribution to the economic, environmental, and social wellbeing of our island communities and we look forward to working alongside each project to maximise the impact of this programme.”
Kyla Orr, Director at Kelp Crofting based in Skye said:
“KelpCrofting Ltd. are delighted to receive funding from the Islands Green Recovery Programme, which will be used to help setup our first seaweed farm on the Isle of Skye, and to purchase a vessel for working on the farm. The funding will have a big impact on the success of our business, and will facilitate growth of this emerging blue-green economy on the island.”
Jennifer MacDonald of Woodside Arran commented:
“Receiving the Island Green Recovery Grant is going to have such a lasting impact for Woodside Arran. We are now going to be in a position to feed and support our community throughout the challenges that both Brexit and the Covid recovery period will bring.”
Donald MacArthur of behalf of Eschol Guest House and partners based in Lewis commented:
“We are delighted to be part of the Island Green Recovery Programme. Investing in new innovative green technology is critical to securing a sustainable recovery for tourism in the islands and this programme has allowed us to accelerate that process during the most challenging of times.”
This funding is part of the £2 million The Islands Green Recovery Programme, which is split into four strands and managed by four partners, delivering investment in low carbon transport, food sustainability and zero waste projects.
List of initial 12 successful initiatives supported by the Inspiring Scotland community recovery strand of Programme.
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