Scottish Islands Network Newsletter

www.scottishislands.org.uk

May 2004

The Scottish Islands Network aims to promote, publicise and advance the interests of all Scottish islands. Every month it issues a newsletter like this one, if you want to get it delivered straight to your in box click the link above and subscribe!

RANT OF THE MONTH

More worrying population predictions relating to the Highlands & Islands have been hitting the headlines over recent weeks. Scotland now has the worst rate of population decline in Europe – with the total population expected to fall below 5 million before the end of this decade. The General Register Office for Scotland has also predicted that the number of people living in the Highlands & Islands will have fallen by a whopping 50% by 2015. By 2017 the numbers of under-15s will have fallen by a quarter, while pensioners will have increased by nearly 40%. To address such worrying predictions, participants got together at a Population Summit hosted by Highland Council in Inverness this month. One of the conference's main outcomes was widespread support for encouraging migration of young people to the Highlands to counter the outflows of young people from many parts of the region. Economics Professor Robert Wright of Stirling University claims that Scotland needs to attract 50,000 young immigrants a year to decelerate the rate of our ageing population and stave off the population crisis – which could drain rural island communities of their inhabitants. Professor Wright has compared the situation facing many small island communities to that of St. Kilda, the island evacuated by its remaining 36 inhabitants in 1930.

The depopulation crisis facing our island communities is undeniable – but rather than worrying about what the statisticians are telling us MIGHT happen, surely we should take action about what IS happening throughout the Highlands & Islands right now. Yes, our young people are leaving in their droves – but rather than replacing them, should we not be addressing the reasons for their movement away from the region in an effort to keep them here in the first place? I know that plenty of my peers would happily return 'up North' and return to the quality of life that they miss – if they could access affordable housing and find suitable skilled employment. Affordable housing, skilled jobs and improved public services - increase the availability of these and watch the demographic graphs start to tell a different story……….

More information and papers from the Population Summit are available on the Think-Net website – www.think-net.org – where you can also participate in a discussion forum on this topic.

NEWS

School Transport Farce on Skye

A 10-year old boy from Struan on the Isle of Skye has to walk more than a mile and a half along a busy main road which has no pavement or lighting to school each morning because he is no longer entitled to school transport. The boy was forced to give up his seat on the school bus when a new family moved to the area, and because of his age and the fact that he lives within 3 miles of the school, Highland Council is not obliged to provide transport for him. The school bus can seat 12 pupils, but as the driver does not have a Public Service Vehicle License it can currently only carry 8 passengers. Highland Council annually spends £8.7 million on school transport – and receives only £4.25 million towards this in grants from the Scottish Executive. The Executive has rejected pleas from the Council for increased funding towards their school transport costs.

Royal Mail Proposes New Price System

Royal Mail has submitted proposals for a new postal pricing system to the postal services regulator, Postcomm. As it costs more to handle and deliver larger sized envelopes and packages, Royal Mail wants to change from a weight-based pricing system to a new system where charges would depend on the size of an item. This could have significant costing implications for any business, voluntary or public sector organisation. Although some will benefit under the new pricing system, others could see their postage costs increase by more than 80%.

Postwatch Scotland is working with Postcomm to assess public support for this proposal. For more information about the proposals and how they could affect you, contact Postwatch on 08456013265 or email info@postwatch.co.uk. Further information is also available on the Postcomm website – www.postcomm.gov.uk. The consultation period ends on 27th July.

Westray Leads the Way On Energy Self-Sufficiency

The island of Westray in Orkney is aiming to become the first community in the UK to be entirely self-sufficient in energy production by 2012. The social experiment will entail every building on the island being run on power generated by wind, wave and solar energy and every vehicle being powered by hydrogen. Scientists at the Agronomy Institute at Orkney College in Kirkwall are also assessing the feasibility of growing rapeseed and sugar beet to produce 'green diesel' for local boats and ferries. There are also plans for a power plant fuelled by methane gas from animal slurry. A recycling plant will also be established - importing waste from neighbouring islands as well as recycling waste generated on Westray.

If the government sponsored scheme is a success, it will be copied by other rural communities throughout the country. Highlands & Islands Enterprise's Community Energy Unit has so far invested £45,000 in the Westray Project. For more information about the Westray Project, contact the island's Development Manager Sam Harcus on 01857 677 790 or email sam.harcus@orkney.com.

Proposals for Power-line Upgrade Unveiled

Proposals to upgrade 40 miles of power lines between Ullapool and Beauly were unveiled this month by Scottish and Southern Energy. The new power line would be built to carry energy generated at the wind farm proposed for Barvas Moor on the Isle of Lewis. The upgrade is essential if major renewable energy schemes proposed for the islands are to become reality and energy is to be exported from the Western Isles to the mainland. The proposed upgrade is one of four options being considered by the energy company. The Ullapool – Beauly upgrade would enable use of the shortest sub-sea route possible for the connection. An application for the 400,000 volt line would not be submitted until next year, following extensive public consultations. There is considerable local opposition to the proposed upgrades environmental and scenic impacts – 200 50-metre high pylons would have to be erected along the route.

Strategic Waste Fund Benefits Island-Based Projects

The Scottish Executive has announced the latest round of grant awards from its Strategic Waste Fund, which supports community environmental projects throughout Scotland. In total, almost £1.7 million is being shared among twenty-six community initiatives. Among those receiving awards are a number of island-based projects including the Shetland Amenity Trust and Re-Jig (Recycle Islay and Jura Group). The Executive has also announced that a further £5 million over two years will be allocated to both new and existing community sector waste projects under the Strategic Waste Fund. 

Chancellor Refuses to Back Down on Whisky Tax Stamps

Much to the dismay of those involved in the Scottish whisky industry, Chancellor Brown is sticking to his plans to introduce tax stamps to combat tax fraud – going against the recommendation of the Scottish Affairs Committee, which opposed the plan. As we reported in our March newsletter, there are justified fears that the costs of implementing the new scheme could jeopardise the Scottish whisky industry's competitiveness and threaten the viability of smaller distillers throughout the country.

The islands of Islay and Jura currently produce more than 20 million litres of alcohol per year – which is worth more than £0.4 billion to the UK economy.

Northern Isles Ferry Routes Put Out to Tender

Last month the Transport Minister announced that the contract for the Northern Isles ferry routes is to be re-tendered earlier than planned, as the current operator NorthLink is facing financial difficulties and is unable to complete its existing contract on current terms. Ten companies have now noted interest in taking on the contract. The final terms of the subsidy arrangement on the routes are subject to ongoing consultation with the EC and the UK Government. The Scottish Executive has also published a new draft contract which sets out the terms and conditions the new operator would be expected to fulfill. The draft contract proposes:

- The current level of service on routes schedules and timetables

- Use of the same ports and harbours

- Fares based on the current rates, with Ministerial approval required for any other changes including freight and livestock in the new contract

- A single contract for the routes as in previous subsidy agreements Consultation on these proposals will now take place with local communities, with responses due by Friday July 16. The Scottish Executive will continue to provide additional financial assistance on top of their annual £11 million subsidy to enable Northlink to continue operating the lifeline services until a new contract is awarded in 2005.

Shetland Islands Council Supports Bridge Plans

Despite several objections, Shetland Islands Council planning sub-committee has voted to recommend construction of an £18 million bridge spanning the Bressay Sound off Lerwick by 2007. However, the final planning decision will have to come from the Scottish Executive because of objections to the plan and the fact that the bridge will cross navigable water. Objections to the bridge plans have come from the Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) which is arguing that the bridge would obstruct the harbour and impede navigation. Three major businesses located in the area where the bridge is to be built are also opposing the plans as they fear their businesses will suffer during the construction period. Three residents from the island of Bressay (population 300) have also objected.

Shetland Islands Council hopes to attract around £4.5 million in European funding towards the project. In order to attract that grant money the project has to move forward quickly as the European Regional Development Fund transitional programme comes to an end in 2006. For daily news updates direct from Shetland, visit www.shetland-news.co.uk.

New Development Opened on Colonsay

Former Scottish Office Minister Brian Wilson was on Colonsay last month to open a new development of 2 business units and 4 affordable houses on the island. The new Dunoran Housing and Business Units project cost over £900,000 and was funded by Communities Scotland, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE) and the West Highland Housing Association. The 2 new business units are already occupied by local companies – a joinery workshop and local publishing company, House of Lochar.

The opening of the new development coincided with a meeting of the public bodies involved in the Initiative at the Edge – in which Colonsay was a pilot area. The Colonsay meeting gave representatives from the original pilot areas the opportunity to pass on their experiences of the initiative with their counterparts from areas just entering the scheme. Initiative at the Edge (www.initiative-at-the-edge.org.uk) aims to bring public agencies together to address the problems facing some of the most peripheral communities in the Highlands and Islands.

To keep up to date with community news from Colonsay, visit www.colonsay.org.uk.

Orkney Receives Funding for Housing Developments

Orkney Islands Council is to receive £3 million over the next two years as part of the Scottish Executive's private sector housing grant. The money will be used to buy land for housing development – both for sale and rent, to provide loans to improve energy efficiency, research homelessness among young people and to install a 'handy person' service in the isles.

European Agriculture Ministers Fail to Agree on Livestock Transport Regulations The European Parliament's Council of Agriculture Ministers has failed to reach agreement on a regulation aimed at improving the welfare of animals during transport. The proposed new regulation would have introduced a number of major changes relating to the movement of livestock, including: shortening journey times before a rest period is required from 14 to 9 hours; minimum rest times being increased from 1 to 12 hours; lower stocking densities on vehicles; new training requirements for those transporting livestock and new equipment requirements on haulage vehicles. A review of the impacts of the proposed regulation on livestock movements throughout the Highlands & Islands was undertaken by the Scottish Agricultural College last year. The review found that the regulation could cost producers throughout the region as much as £1.65 million and result in prices for lambs and ewes falling by as much as 8%, seriously threatening livestock production throughout the region.

This report was then used by the Scottish Islands Network and others to lobby politicians, including the members of the EC Agricultural Committee, and draw attention to the potential impacts the regulation could have in the Highlands & Islands.

Following months of deliberations, the extreme positions maintained by delegations contributing to discussions about the regulation have made it impossible for a balanced agreement to be reached.

The EC's Economic and Social Committee has recommended that further economic assessments be undertaken to ascertain the real impact of the increased transport costs that would be incurred by the proposals. While discussions about the proposals will be ongoing, a compromise is unlikely to be reached in the immediate future. The Scottish Islands Network will continue to monitor the debate and keep the relevant Scottish and European politicians and officials aware of the Highlands & Islands views about the proposals as outlined in the SAC Review.

(A full copy of the SAC Report is currently available at www.hie.co.uk/animal-transport-regulations.htm and will also soon be available to download on the Scottish Islands Network website – www.scottishislands.org.uk).

Less Favoured Area Support Scheme Does Not Do Enough for Fragile Areas The Scottish Crofting Foundation (SCF) has expressed disappointment following news of an agreement on this year's Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) in Brussels. The agricultural support scheme aims to compensate disadvantaged farmers and crofters and ensure that agricultural production continues in more remote and peripheral regions. But new agreements about the implementation of the scheme do not do enough to reflect the disadvantages faced by producers in remote and fragile areas, according to the SCF. Although moves to reduce support available for intensive producers on the best land have been welcomed, there is disappointment that the money freed up is being lost from the scheme, rather than being given to those in the most disadvantaged agricultural areas. The SCF believes that more must be done to recognise the importance and fragility of extensive agriculture in remote areas – which sustains unique high nature value farming systems and supports rural communities.

Western Isles Groups Investigate Community Buy-Outs

Three community groups based in the Western Isles have been awarded grants totalling almost £40,000 from the Scottish Land Fund to undertake feasibility studies into community buy-outs. The groups undertaking the studies are The Pairc Trust in Lewis, Loch Seaforth community group in North Harris and the South Uist Community Steering Group. If the South Uist group decides to go ahead and pursue a buy-out of the 93,000 acre South Uist Estate, it would be the largest community buy-out in Scotland to date. The Estate is currently owned by a nine-family syndicate and includes 850 crofts on Eriskay, South Uist and Benbecula, fish farms, quarries and potentially lucrative shooting, mineral and fishing rights.

Scotland's First Gaelic Secondary School

Scotland's first dedicated Gaelic-medium Secondary School is to open in the west end of Glasgow next year. Education Minister Peter Peacock described the announcement of the new £3.5 million school as the most significant step forward in Gaelic education for 20 years. The announcement came as the new Gaelic development agency, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, warned that the language was going through a crucial period. At the time of the last census, only 58,000 Gaelic speakers were recorded throughout Scotland. There are currently 34 Scottish secondary schools that offer Gaelic language classes for fluent speakers – 15 of which also teach other subjects in Gaelic.

Bute Welcomes Euro Funding Monitors

Argyll & Bute Council played host to representatives from the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme Monitoring Committee on the Isle of Bute earlier this month. The committee – which comprises members of the European Commission, the Scottish Executive, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, local authorities, VisitScotland, the voluntary and business sectors - oversees the £319 million European Structural Funding Programme being allocated throughout the Highlands & Islands from 2000 – 2006.

Following their meeting in the Rothesay Pavillion, committee members visited some European funded projects on the island. These included the Kilchattan Bay slip project and the Lade Project – an environmental improvement scheme, which was funded by the Programme in partnership with the community and the Council's Employability Unit.

Since the beginning of the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme in 2000, grants worth more than £19.7 million have been allocated to Argyll & Bute for a range of capital, fisheries and farming projects.

The European Commission has just approved an additional £13.5 million 'performance reserve' for the Special Transitional Programme.

Northern Periphery Programme Funding

The Northern Periphery Programme (NPP) is one of several European Union funded programmes aimed at encouraging transnational co-operation between the regions of Europe. Along with the Highlands and Islands, other areas included in the programme are Northern Sweden, Northern Finland, Northern Norway, The Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and North-west Russia.

The NPP is targeted at the specific problems associated with these Northern most parts of Europe, such as low population density, adverse weather conditions and long distances from main markets. 

Communities across the Highlands & Islands are now to benefit from £780,000 from the programme, which has been allocated to improve rural public services. The funding will be used to help project partners source the best options for delivery of community transport services (with match funding from the Scottish Executive and Argyll & Bute Council).

For more information about the NPP, contact Gayle Riddoch at Highlands & Islands Enterprise on 01463 234171 or email gayle.riddoch@hient.co.uk.

Rural Voices Programme Results Announced

£90,000 has been awarded to 15 different community projects under the Scottish Executive's Rural Voices: Action Research Programme. The awards will enable communities to gain expertise in community consultation, equipping them with research skills and promoting community development. Each project engages local people in helping to reshape and rebuild their communities.

Among the projects being awarded funding is one based on the Isle of Eigg – investigating the viability of a Learning Centre containing a Virtual High School and Community College for the Small Isles and Knoydart. This research project has been awarded £7,000.

UHI PolicyWeb Director Appointed

The UHI PolicyWeb is a new think tank created to give the Highlands and Islands a stronger voice in setting Scottish and UK Government policy. It is being led by Inverness College UHI with initial funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The initiative is also being supported by the local councils and other public bodies in the Highlands and Islands.

Professor John Bryden – an internationally renowned expert in rural affairs policy – has been appointed as the director of this new initiative and will take up his new post on 2nd August.

Over the next three years he will be responsible for developing PolicyWeb and encouraging a network of researchers, academics and others involved in social and public policy in the Highlands and Islands to collaborate, with the intention of helping to shape Government policy on issues of importance to the region.

This is the first time a dedicated, funded project will try to influence how key social and public policies are shaped on issues like rural health, population migration and decline.

Heritage Project Creates Employment in South Uist

Tobar an Dualchais (Kist of Riches) is a £3 million project funded by a number of organisations including the Heritage Lottery Fund and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. The heritage project aims to preserve around 18,000 hours of Gaelic and Scots sound recordings through modern technology –making them available to the Scottish community for educational and personal use. The project is being coordinated by Sabhal Mor Ostaig, in partnership with the BBC, Edinburgh University, the National Trust for Scotland, Comunn na Gàidhlig, The Gaelic Broadcasting Committee and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

One part-time and four full-time jobs have been created at the South Uist Digitisation Centre, where archives from the School of Scottish Studies in Edinburgh, the BBC and the National Trust-owned John Lorne Campbell Collection in Canna will be digitised and catalogued.

For more information about the project, visit http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/dualchas/

A’ Bhuain (The Harvest)

The Isle of Tiree's historical society – An Iodhlann

(www.tireearchive.com) – is planning to stage a major exhibition entitiled A’ Bhuain (The Harvest) in the summer of 2006. There are estimated to be about 38,000 people around the world of Tiree descent, and the exhibition will focus on the stories of these emigrants and their families.

To coincide with the event, a community Gathering involving Tiree's residents, businesses and organisations is also planned for the third week in May 2006. The Tiree Gathering would include ceilidhs, lectures, tours, regattas, and other festivals on the island.

A feasibility study is currently underway to assess the viability of the project and seek to access and secure funding for a Project Officer to work from autumn 2004 to summer 2006.

For further information, contact Liz Lapsley at Tiree Community Business on 01879 220520 or email lizlapsley@aol.com.

Oceans Rising Faster Near Coastlines

The results of satellite measurements of sea levels have surprised scientists as they have revealed that oceans are rising faster near the coast than in the mid-ocean. Research carried out by the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory has revealed that between 1993 and 2002 the water level within 100 kilometres of the coast raised by an average of 3.7 millimetres a year, instead of the general sea level rise of 2.8 millimetres as a consequence of global warming. Back in 1996, ocean modellers had predicted that this could be happening. If these higher boundary waves are part of an ongoing climate change, differences in coast and ocean sea levels could worsen and flooding could be an even bigger problem than scientists have anticipated.

Invasive Seaweed Threatens West Coast

The West Coast of Scotland could soon be under threat from an alien species of Japanese seaweed, known as Sargassum Muticum or Japweed. The seaweed was first recorded in British waters on the coast of the Isle of Wight in 1971, having been brought to the French Atlantic coastline in a consignment of live oysters during the 1960s. The seaweed then became established in Northern Ireland during the 1990s, where it caused major problems – entangling the propellers of small boats, and blocking up seawater intakes and shellfish farming equipment. Marine experts hoped that the species would not reach Scotland, as it is impossible to eradicate and can only be controlled by seasonal harvesting, but the species has now been discovered in Loch Ryan in Dumfries and Galloway. The Sargassum is fast growing and tends to out-compete local native species of seaweed in areas where it becomes established.

Live TV Wildlife Watch for Bass Rock

BBC 2 is to broadcast live pictures from Bass Rock – the world's largest single rock gannetry - as part of its wildlife series 'Britain Goes Wild' in early June. The live coverage will follow the hatching and early rearing of some young gannets at two nests on the rock, which is situated in the Firth of Forth off South West Scotland. There are over 100,000 gannets on the Bass Rock. In addition to gannets, the rock is home to guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, kittiwakes and herring gulls.

Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum

Highlands & Islands Enterprise is backing a campaign to base new a new aquaculture research agency in the Highlands – where most of the industry's 8,600 jobs are located. The Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) was established to promote, encourage and support scientific research and development in aquaculture and related areas.

SARF has already received £100,000 from the Scottish Executive and Crown estates and is expected to receive a further £300,000 from various partner agencies including HIE, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Quality Salmon and environmental organizations towards the establishment of the aquaculture research agency. A contract to run the agency is being put out to tender and agencies throughout the Highlands & Islands are being urged to apply.

THE FUTURE OF OUR RURAL POST OFFICES

There have been claims that the Department of Trade and Industry is considering an extension of the scheme designed to protect rural post offices for another 2 years. The support scheme - aimed at preventing avoidable closures - was introduced in 2002 and provides £150 million a year to support rural post offices. The support scheme was due to end in 2005.

Scotland currently has more than a thousand rural post offices - 90% of which make a financial loss (only offices which have more than 2,000 customers per week are profitable). In the smallest post offices which have fewer than 20 customer transactions each week, one single transaction – as straightforward as buying a stamp – can cost the post office as much as £18! Unless subsides from the Government continue, it is obvious that the Post Office network cannot continue in its existing form.

Earlier this year, Postwatch Scotland – the independent postal consumer body - hosted a seminar to discuss the future of rural postal services. A report from this seminar has now been published and is available to download on the Postwatch website (www.postwatch.co.uk). The report outlines the key findings of the seminar and urges the government to take account of the diverse nature of rural communities throughout Scotland.

It is important to remember that in many remote, rural communities, post offices are currently the only way for people to access cash and local and central government services. As well as providing valuable economic services, our rural post offices also offer valuable social services – acting as a significant community focal point; providing support for the elderly, disabled, low income households and those with poor transport; supporting village shopping facilities; and providing banking facilities and mailing services for local businesses.

It is vital that the provision of these services are maintained in our rural communities.

For further information, or to share your views on the future of our rural post offices, contact Postwatch Scotland on 08456 013265 or email info@postwatch.co.uk.

NOTICEBOARD

UHI Millenium Institute Hosts Highlands IT Conference

The UHI Millenium Institute is hosting its first IT Conference from 7 – 9 June at the Newton Hotel in Nairn. The focus of the conference is on the use and implementation of IT in teaching and learning, networked learning and in the communications technologies that support these activities. The conference will bring together all the academic partners of UHI Millennium Institute, along with a diverse range of IT companies from across the UK.

The event has been sponsored by a wide range of IT organisations including; Novell, Tandberg, Microsoft and THUS. Fore more information please contact: Christopher Rydings, UHI head of customer services (learning and information) on 01631 559324 or email christopher.rydings@uhi.ac.uk.

Island Ferryman Set to Raise Thousands for Anthony Nolan Trust Lismore / Port Appin ferryman, Andy Jamieson, is intending to raise a vast sum of money for the Anthony Nolan Trust by undertaking a number of challenging swims. On the 29th August, Andy is planning to circumnavigate the island of Lismore (weather permitting!), in approximately 12 hours in an effort to raise £35,000 for the Trust. Part of the total funds raised will also go towards youth development on Lismore. Following this, Andy is also planning to swim around the Isle of Mull and then become the first man to swim from Cape Wrath to Lands End.

Lifesaving leukaemia charity, The Anthony Nolan Trust, operates a register of over 347,000 volunteers who are willing to donate bone marrow or stem cells should it match that of a desperately ill patient. 

It costs the charity, which receives no government or lottery funding, £70 to recruit just one new person to its Register. All of the money raised by Andy's swim will go directly towards recruiting potential donors and increasing the size of the Register. 

To sponsor Andy online, visit his webpage - www.justgiving.com/andys-swim. Payments by cheque and postal order can also be sent to: Andy's Swim, c/o 1 Newfield Terrace, Isle of Lismore, Argyll, PA34 5UJ.

Water Customer Consultation Panels

Did you know that five consultation panels have been established throughout Scotland to help represent the views of domestic and non-domestic Scottish Water customers? These new panels are independent of Scottish Water and other agencies. For more information about your area's panel and its members visit www.watercustomer.org or telephone 0845 850 3344. A recent report by the Water Customer Consultation Panels recommended that the Scottish Executive holds a public consultation on the principles of water charging. The outcome of this consultation will be an important element of an overall strategic review which will set limits on how much Scottish Water can charge their customers from 2006 – 2010. This consultation will be very important to all water users, households, communities, businesses, organisations and local authorities. The consultation document will be issued this summer.

Imagine the Clyde

'Imagine the Clyde' is a unique opportunity for the people of Glasgow and the Firth of Clyde to get together and appreciate their river on a day full of imagination fun and meaning. The event – being organised by Resolution Scotland – will offer people the opportunity to get together and share their ideas about past changes and future developments planned for the river Clyde. The Waverley Paddle Steamer will be departing from Broomielaw in Glasgow at 9.30am and returning at 4.30pm, sailing as far as the Holy Loch weather permitting.. To reserve places email mwright@resolution-scotland.com detailing the number of places you would like and giving the full contact details i.e. name, phone number, address and email for the nominated contact person for the group to whom the tickets can be sent.

Tickets are £20 each or whatever you can afford to pay. This is a private charter of the Waverley and while sponsors are being sought for this trip, donations will be accepted towards this trip from those who want to support it. Cheques should be made payable to Margaret Wright for Imagine the Clyde.

Forum on Discrimination Open Day

The Forum on Discrimination (FonD) is holding an Open Day in Inverness on 23rd June to discuss discrimination and people's experiences in general. The FonD is founded on the Scottish Parliament's key principle of the need to promote equal opportunities for all and endeavours to prevent or eliminate discrimination on grounds including the following as set out in the Scotland Act 1998: Sex or marital status, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, language, social origin and other personal attributes, including beliefs and opinions, such as religious belief or political opinion.

For more information about this event, contact Live Johnsrud on 0131 524 9392 or email live.johnsrud@civicforum.org.uk.

Opportunity to Learn More About the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament Education Service, in collaboration with the Scottish Civic Forum, are looking to help groups around Scotland learn more about the Scottish Parliament. A programme of events will start running from October this year, and the service is now looking for groups to sign up for the first sessions. The sessions can be run at the Parliament, at any of the Partner Libraries around Scotland, or in your own premises. You can join together with other groups if you wish, and there is also a great deal of flexibility as to what time of day they are held. If you are interested in taking part, please contact the Scottish Civic Forum for further information on 0131 557 6767 / email enquiries@civicforum.org.uk.

AWARDS & GRANTS

Enterprising Solutions Awards

Applications can now be submitted for this year's Enterprising Solutions Awards. The awards aim to recognise and celebrate the country's best social and community enterprises - imaginative, entrepreneurial, sustainable businesses that are passionate about social change. Any enterprise – regardless of size and legal structure – can apply, and entries from rural and environmental fields are particularly welcome this year.

The winning entry will receive a cash prize of £10,000 and there are 4 runners up prizes of £5,000. Applications must be submitted by 23rd July 2004. For more information, visit www.enterprisingsolutions.org.uk or telephone 020 7968 4988.

SNH Sponsorship Award Scheme

Scottish Natural Heritage is currently operating a Sponsorship Award Scheme aimed at encouraging the corporate sector to make a greater financial contribution to natural heritage projects. If your project is currently receiving commercial sponsorship, SNH will match this pound for pound (minimum award £500 – maximum £5,000), providing extra cash for your project. The Scheme is currently focusing on projects that provide better access to the countryside - such as building local path networks, and improving the habitats and wildlife of an area. For more information, contact Gillian Macdonald, SNH's Sponsorship Officer on 01463 723100 or email Gillian.macdonald@snh.gov.uk.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that the views expressed in this newsletter are for general information and they are not necessarily the views of the Scottish Islands Network.

The Scottish Islands Network

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