Am Paipear

Local news from Uist

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • News
  • About Us
  • What’s On
  • Subscribe
  • Vacancy
  • Local news from Uist

Launch of new funding stream for the isles

April 13, 2015

British Sterling Pounds

Western Isles Development Trust Ltd (WIDT) is a community based organisation established to invest income from local renewable energy generation schemes in the wider island community.

While community or private landowners stand to benefit, in the first instance, from community benefit payments arising from renewable energy installations on their own land, WIDT exists to ensure that a proportion of that benefit is distributed across the wider Western Isles community, from the Butt to Barra.

The first tranche of community benefit monies has now been lodged with WIDT and the company’s directors, drawn from local agencies, community bodies and the general membership of WIDT, will soon be considering applications for funding.

WIDT is a registered scottish charity and, to be eligible for support, applications must come from constituted organisations and must meet one or more of the charitable aims of the trust. Those include: relief of poverty, advancement of education, advancement of citizenship, advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science, and, environmental protection or improvement.

In the longer term, WIDT will be licenced to offer loans but, in the short term, funding will be available in the form of grants up to a ceiling of £10,000 and at an intervention rate of 50%.

WIDT chair, Angus Campbell, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for communities throughout the islands to benefit from renewable energy developments.”

Downloadable initial enquiry forms, eligibility guidance and more information about the trust will be available from www.widt.co.uk when the website goes live on Tuesday 14th April 2015.

Filed Under: News, Renewable Energy Tagged With: Funding, Outer Hebrides, Renewable Energy, WIDT

£53,286 to boost youth employment in the Western Isles

March 3, 2015

You are Hired

Comhairle Eilean Siar will receive £53,286 from the Scottish Government to help support young people towards a job.

The funding has been put in place to support the implementation of the recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce which outlined a new blueprint for work-based training last year.

The funding, part of £6.5 million investment for all Scotland’s local authorities, will go towards developing vocational and employment pathways for young people, strengthening links between schools and employers and helping vulnerable groups become work ready.

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training, Roseanna Cunningham, said: “The latest trends on youth employment have been hugely encouraging but there is no room for complacency. The Scottish Government is committed to supporting more young women and men into jobs and published a new youth employment strategy in December.

“At the heart of our strategy is the report by the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce. We will continue to work closely with our partners in local government and Scotland’s business community on its implementation as part of a seven year plan to create a new world-class system of work-based training that will work for both the economy and the job prospects of our young people.

“I am very pleased to be able to confirm funding for the Western Isles that will give the local authority additional resource to tailor activity to local need to give young people in the area the best possible chance of success.”

Filed Under: Local Government, News Tagged With: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Funding, Scottish Government, Youth Employment

Comhairle backs three Uist projects from capital grant fund

November 21, 2014

British Sterling Pounds

Awards have been made to projects based in Lochmaddy, Grimsay and Lochboisdale.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has announced significant grant awards in the third-round of its Community Capital Grant Fund (CCGF).

Projects totalling over £2M were awarded £234,977 in funding from the CCGF, including three based in Uist (details below).

Awards were made to five successful community economic development projects in total, each seeking to deliver community projects and create additional employment within local communities.

Cllr Alasdair Macleod, chair of the Comhairle’s Sustainable Development committee, said: “This is the third round of grants awarded to community groups from the Comhairle’s Community Capital Grant Fund. We have seen very high quality applications from community groups wanting to develop facilities. In this round we have helped shoreside enhancements, community facilities, marine development and tourism projects.

“The Comhairle’s Economic Development service is accessible throughout the islands to support and assist properly-constituted groups with projects that will continue to create real economic development opportunities within local communities”.

Community Capital Grants have been awarded to:

Breasclete Community Association (£29,777):  A multi-use dedicated pathway will be created between the Callanish crossroads and the Callanish Visitor centre running adjacent to the single track village road which will provide a proper and safe route for all non-vehicle purposes. This will interlink all villages and community facilities, to a world class visitor attraction and complement the forthcoming Hebridean Way.

Harris Development Ltd (£100,000): The project called Harris Marina Hub proposes the installation of floating pontoons in East Loch Tarbert, Harris. The pontoons will be located in the village of Tarbert and on the Island of Scalpay; providing a marina hub for visiting yachts and local pleasure craft. This project will promote the creation of new business, develop marine tourism and provide social opportunities.

Grimsay Community Association (£50,000): The new Centre for Grimsay, North Uist will be an economic, cultural and social hub for the island, to include a cafe, Post Office, community growing and market area, gathering and performance space, local history archive, and be a venue for Gaelic as a living language.

Lochboisdale Development Ltd (£30,000): The aim of the project is to complement the major regeneration project in Locboisdale by increasing visitors to the area, both tourists and from within the wider area. The project will transform the redundant quayside space into a vibrant, attractive and commercially productive area.

Comann na Mara (£25,000): A shoreside development in Lochmaddy will be provided to complement the successful pontoons which were installed earlier this year. The project will develop marine business investment and promote tourism.

The Comhairle’s Regeneration Team administers the Comhairle’s Community Capital Grants Programme (CCGF) and the team has been active in helping to deliver significant economic development opportunities within local communities over many years. Since the launch of the CCGF in July 2013, the Comhairle has recorded a high level of interest and a significant number of Expressions of Interest have been received from a range of community organisations to-date.

The Fourth-round of the CCGF is now open for Expressions-of-Interest, with the closing-date for applications to Round-4 being 30 March 2015. For further information please contact David Macleay, Senior Regeneration Officer on: 01851 622 693, or dmacleay@cne-siar.gov.uk

Filed Under: Local Government, News Tagged With: Comann na Mara, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Funding, Grimsay Community Association, Lochboisdale Development Ltd

Recent News

  • New equipment store ushers in new era for Uist and Barra patient care
  • New endoscopy unit opens at Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh
  • International military exercise set to get underway off Hebrides
  • Uist ladies ‘Celebrate the Cailleach’ for International Women’s Day
  • Crofting Commission: Iain MacIver elected for Western Isles
  • South Uist hero at Iraq and Afghanistan memorial unveiling
  • Success for Sgoil Lionacleit STEM Club
  • Local Government Election 2017 – Notice of Election
  • Allan says Scotland must have choice over future
  • CMAL gives update on new ferry construction

News Categories

  • Art
  • Crofting
  • Energy
  • Fishing
  • Health
  • Heritage
  • Letter
  • Local Government
  • Music
  • News
  • Renewable Energy
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Training
  • Transport
  • Vacancies
  • Weather

SEARCH

Search our website

DEADLINES

Do you have a story for Am Pàipear? Would you like to submit a letter or acknowledgement?

See our list of deadlines:

Deadlines

ADVERTISE

Opportunities to advertise in Am Pàipear and on this website are available.

See our size and price guides:

Advertising Guide

Rate Card

CONTACT US

T: 01870 603299
E:
editor@ampaipear.org.uk
Enquiry Form

41 Airport Road, Balivanich
Isle of Benbecula
HS7 5LA

Copyright © 2021 Am Paipear · Website & Design by Skyewebsites