Coll charity drives towards greener sustainable future
Project Trust has been awarded almost £100,000 to inspire a bright, renewable, green future on the Isle of Coll and beyond.
The Scottish Government’s Islands Green Recovery Programme (IGRP) funding, managed by Inspiring Scotland, is enabling Project Trust to improve its sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.
The funding will add resilience to, and help to safeguard, the Coll-based international volunteering charity’s future – as well promoting the health and wellbeing of the Inner Hebridean island’s community.
Ingrid Emerson MBE, chief executive of Project Trust, said: ‘This £98,715 Islands Green Recovery Programme grant is a Covid-lifeline.
‘Project Trust is now open to applications from young people up the age of 25 keen to experience long-term international volunteering in 2022/23.
‘So, the promise of a more sustainable approach to empowering young people to explore their potential will make waves far beyond the Isle of Coll.
‘The impact on the island community would be significant if Project Trust, Coll’s biggest employer, ceased to exist. This grant offers confidence as we navigate the challenges Covid-19 presents. It helps the Project Trust Goes Green initiative make tomorrow a better place for young people.’
The team has recently gained a 100 per cent electric Nissan car, reducing the charity’s carbon footprint and transportation costs; savings which will be reinvested in how it works with young people from across the UK.
Planning permission has also been sought from Argyll and Bute Council to install a charging point and wind turbines.
Islands Minister Paul Wheelhouse MSP said: ‘As a major employer severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, this near six-figure Islands Green Recovery Programme capital funding enables Project Trust to embrace transformative change.
‘I’m impressed by the charity’s resilience and readiness to challenge itself to remain at the forefront of international volunteering for people up to the age of 25 living in the UK and Europe.
‘And I welcome the commitment to work with the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland to harness the region’s significant green energy resources to help tackle the climate emergency.
‘The news of Project Trust now being open to applications to long-term volunteering in Africa, Asia, or Latin America in 2022/23 is very positive.
‘This underlines how the Islands Green Recovery Programme is actively stimulating a green energy recovery in Scotland’s island economies, and recognises the commitments we made in the National Islands Plan to work with communities to support their climate change aspirations.’
Project Trust is now open to applications from young people interested in departing late summer 2022 for 12 months – or January 2023 for eight months – on international placements.
Find out more about Project Trust at https://projecttrust. org.uk