£900,000 boost for eco projects on the islands
Twelve eco-friendly island initiatives are among the first to benefit from a share of a £2 million Scottish Government fund.
The Islands Green Recovery Programme announced in September has seen £900,000 allocated to community projects including ones on Colonsay, Coll, Lewis, Skye and Arran. The funding aims to invest in projects which lower greenhouse gas emissions, help active and low carbon transport and boost ‘environmentally-safe’ tourism.
Projects which help support food sustainability and zero waste are also included as part of the effort to help the islands recover from the pandemic.
The funding is managed by the Edinburghbased venture philanthropy organisation Inspiring Scotland which announced the cash awards.
Colonsay Community Development Company will receive £96,000 towards its plan to supply electricity to six new homes.
A total of £98,715 is heading to the Isle of Coll educational charity Project Trust to replace existing energy sources for buildings and vehicles.
Barvas Community Company on the Isle of Lewis will receive £46,440 to support food production.
Lewis will also receive £46,128 towards the development of a coastal path linking the historic crofting communities of Point and Sandwick.
Eshcol Guest House, at Breasclete on Lewis, has been awarded £60,791 towards its electric multi-purpose vehicles project and a green laundry.
It will establish an eco laundry for itself and several other tourism accommodation providers on Lewis to help reduce their carbon footprint and deliver more sustainable tourism solutions.
Donald MacArthur, for Eschol Guest House and partners, said: ‘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.’
Inspiring Scotland sought applications from island community groups, charities and businesses to help support capital expenditure projects.
Paul Wheelhouse MSP, islands minister with the Scottish Government, said: ‘These fascinating projects, driven by the ideas of islanders, will help our island communities to thrive as they contribute to our work on population retention and repopulation.’
Celia Tennant, chief executive of Inspiring Scotland, said: ‘This support will make a vital contribution to the economic, environmental, and social wellbeing of island communities and we look forward to working alongside each project to maximise the impact of this programme.’
The Islands Green Recovery Programme is managed by four partners - Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Saving Trust, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Inspiring Scotland.