Helping hand for community groups

A scheme aimed at helping community groups access support for their ideas and projects was launched this week.

The Black Isle, Cromarty Firth and the Tain and Easter Ross Highland Council Wards along with the Eilean a' Cheò and Nairn Wards have jointly developed an easy access fund with the Highland LEADER programme, so community groups in their areas can apply for money to hire some expertise to help make projects in their area happen.

The idea for the Community Development Support Scheme came about as Councillors were very aware that ideas were coming forward in their communities but extra help would be key to building on them.

Black Isle Councillor Isobel McCallum, Vice-Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, said: “There are wonderful volunteers in every community but they are also very busy and sometimes just need a helping hand to push forward improvements in their communities. This scheme will help groups access up to £2,000 to buy in the project expertise they need.”

Skye and Nairn Councillors welcomed this announcement as an excellent opportunity for small local groups to be given a helping hand in bringing forward projects with the help of a full time expert supplementing enthusiastic volunteers.

Provost of Nairn Liz MacDonald added: “I hope community groups will take advantage of this scheme to help them get their ideas and projects moving.”

The Community Development Support Scheme is funded by The Highland Council’s Ward Discretionary Budget in each of the five Wards and the LEADER programme.

Full information on the local Ward Scheme can be found here or by contacting The Highland Council Ward Managers for Black Isle, Cromarty Firth, Tain and Easter Ross, Eilean a' Cheò and Nairn.

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