Community Energy Scotland (formerly operating as the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company but now Scotland-wide) is a charity actively supporting and funding community groups to develop sustainable energy projects (renewables, energy efficiency). New web site just launched at http://www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk.

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7 November 2008
© Senscot

A new survey is being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to draw together current data relevant to marine energy developments in the Pentland Firth. By collating the information HIE will be able to help identify gaps that exist in the current data, and underpin future survey work needed to support the industry’s development. The final report will be made available to prospective developers of marine energy in the region. Scotland’s Atlantic Ocean coastline offers world class wave energy potential while the Pentland Firth and other tidal sounds around Orkney comprise one of the richest tidal resource areas in Europe. Head of HIE’s energy team Audrey MacIver said: “The Pentland Firth and nearby waters offer a significant opportunity for the Highlands and Islands. We are delighted at the current participation of local companies and excited by the potential inward investment that this will bring to the region and Scotland as a whole. “Coupled with this natural resource, there is a wealth of scientific, environmental and engineering skills available locally together with state-of-the-art research facilities and future investment in infrastructure planned at a number of sites throughout the region. Gathering current data as part of this contract will help direct future work, attract new renewable energy projects and avoid duplication of effort by others.” Stromness-based environmental services and products company Aquatera has been awarded the contract through the Pentland Firth Tidal Energy Project and the work should be complete by the end of the year. HIE is a partner of the tidal energy project which aims to support the development of a globally important marine energy industry in and around the Pentland Firth to the benefit of local and national economies in a sustainable and environmentally aware way. Managing director of Aquatera Gareth Davies said: “Pulling this catalogue of data together will make a major contribution to effective decision making. With the government setting ambitious targets for marine renewables by 2020 there is little time to lose. A key part of the project will be to identify the local sources of information and expertise that will best serve the marine renewables sector as it develops. “The established organisations and companies in the area will hopefully have a critical role to play. This will be very important for supporting existing employment in the area as well as possibly expanding employment in the future.”

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30 October 2008
© CAF

The annual hunt is underway to find the best young innovators in the Highlands and Islands. The ICT Youth Challenge is looking for more young people with bright ideas. Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), BT Scotland, Microsoft and UHI the competition invites teams of young people to submit their ideas for information and technology and communications products of the future. The most promising ideas are then selected and teams invited to pitch their ideas to a panel of experts. After a number of rounds, the competition culminates with five teams being chosen to go forward to a Hot House final, an intensive week of team work and expert advice focusing on supportive entrepreneurial activities that raise confidence levels and skill sets for the participants. Alistair Murray, youth challenge project director said: “The challenge is really fun - one of the most worthwhile activities around and the prizes are breathtaking. Last year more than 500 young people entered and this year we want to ramp up activity. So, over the next few weeks watch out for youth challenge personnel in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles before they head back to visit mainland sites.” Taking part in the challenge has really made a difference. Several of the young alumnae have decided as a result to take a completely different career path than they’d originally planned whilst others have actually advanced their ideas to patent status. Last year’s winners came from Nairn Academy. Named ICT Unit, and consisting of Laura Fairley, Callum Beddie and Jennifer Baird, their idea was a scanning device for mobile phones that can sweep clothes barcodes to see if they fit. This won them a trip to the world famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, courtesy of HIE.

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04 November 2008
© HIE

Projects as diverse as thermal imaging to spot heat escapes, allotments and a new cycle path for children are among the latest beneficiaries from funding to cut Scotland’s carbon footprint. A total of £1,165,761 has been allocated to 18 community projects across Scotland as part of the next round of investment from the Climate Challenge Fund. The Climate Challenge Fund provides £27.4 million to communities over three years to cut their carbon emissions at local level.
 
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04 November 2008
© Scottish Government

Around 1,000 jobs will be created or safeguarded with support from Regional Selective Assistance (RSA). The Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said the latest quarterly report demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to help businesses of all sizes through the problems caused by the global economic downturn as part of the Scottish Economic Recovery Plan. The report shows 25 businesses in Scotland accepted RSA totalling over £8 million in the third quarter of 2008. This relates to planned investment of almost £37 million and includes manufacturing, design and wind turbine sales and servicing projects. Mr Mather said: “During the global economic slowdown, every extra pound spent in our economy could protect a job or save a business. Regional Selective Assistance not only helps safeguard jobs, it encourages investment in new ventures which will help to position Scotland for a faster and stronger recovery.
The Scottish Government has already set out a six point plan to help both householders and businesses which we will build on across government throughout the weeks and months to come.
RSA complements other Scottish Government initiatives to create the more competitive business environment Scotland needs - including slashing and scrapping rates for small business, planning reform and accelerating investment in affordable housing. We have also recently increased aid limits for ‘Tier 3′ assistance to help more small and medium sized firms that are investing in their business at this important and challenging time in the business cycle. We want to see the benefits of increased sustainable economic growth felt in all communities, so it is pleasing to see so many companies in different areas benefit from RSA grants.”

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29 October 2008
© Scottish Government

Fundraisers must refuse to allow their budgets to be cut if they are to survive the impending recession, delegates at next week’s Scottish Institute of Fundraising conference will hear. Tony Elischer, managing director of Think Consulting Solutions, will present ideas from his latest paper, Recession - Watching Is Not An Option. He will tell fundraisers, particularly from small and medium-sized charities, that they must maintain their budgets and invest more, despite the difficult economic conditions that are predicted.

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28 October 2008
© Third Sector

Campaigners in Scotland welcomed the launch of a new pilot scheme to improve wellbeing this week, but warned the future looks bleak for an existing initiative to tackle health inequalities. Ministers announced eight test schemes investigating different ways of reducing ill health. Successful programmes will become new models for public service delivery across Scotland. Areas participating include: West Dunbartonshire, targeting the high prevalence of smoking; East Lothian, looking at health inequalities in early years; Blairgowrie, focusing on delivering services in rural areas for people with multiple and complex needs; Fife, examining antisocial behaviour in relation to alcohol abuse and underage drinking; Glasgow, looking at integrating health into city planning. The UK Public Health Association (UKPHA) praised the programme for its diverse approach.

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22 October 2008
© NewStart

Are you involved in or interested in strengthening Gaelic in your community? Are you a member of a local organisation, for example voluntary or community group, small or new business, youth initiative? Could your organisation make a difference for Gaelic in your community if you had some financial help? If your answer is yes to any of the questions above you may be eligible for a small grant from Bòrd na Gàidhlig to progress Gaelic activities. Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd is a fund aimed at strengthening the acquisition and usage of Gaelic in communities across Scotland.
 
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20 October 2008
© HI Arts

Unused public land could soon be made available to meet increased demand for allotments, the Scottish Government announced today. Waiting lists for allotments have risen dramatically in recent years, with more people recognising the environmental, social and health benefits to be gained from working a plot. With current provision limited and almost three thousand people on waiting lists, the Scottish Government and other public bodies are to explore how surplus land could be made available to help more Scots ‘grow their own’. Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead said: “In the current economic climate, with food prices on the increase, interest in growing our own food has never been higher. The issue was raised by many people during the recent discussion on our National Food and Drink Policy and it is absolutely right that the Scottish Government looks at ways of giving more Scots the opportunity to grow their own fresh, seasonal produce. Fresh food isn’t the only benefit to be had from tending an allotment of course. They encourage physical activity, offer a place for individuals to relax and are also valuable to the local community and environment. I am asking a number of public bodies to consider how the land they manage for the Scottish Government could be made available to local authorities to increase the number of allotments in Scotland.”

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18 October 2008
© Scottish Government

The money, announced today by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon, will allow the programme to help even more of Scotland’s fuel poor. She also revealed that from April 2009 it is intended that the government’s fuel poverty programmes are extended to include families on income support with children under five or with disabled children under 16. If introduced, these changes will represent the first time help with tackling fuel poverty, beyond basic insulation measures, will be offered to families as well as pensioners. Further details on the changes to fuel poverty programmes will be given in the Cabinet Secretary’s full response to the recommendations from the Fuel Poverty Forum. Ms Sturgeon said: “At a time when Scottish households face rocketing fuel bills this Government is committed to doing all that it can, within the powers that are available, to tackle fuel poverty.That is why, alongside boosting development in Scotland, helping households in these difficult economic times is a key theme of our six point programme announced this week.”

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18 October 2008
© Scottish Government