North Highland community projects can secure up to £2000 from grant programme
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North Highland community projects can secure up to £2000 as applications open for North Highland Initiative (NHI) grants.
In 2023, NHI supported 90 grant applications, and awarded over £270,000 to north Highland community projects.
Covering the wide geographic spread of Lewis, Harris, Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross and Cromarty, Wester Ross and Easter Ross, NHI has a range of resources to support people of all ages in these communities.
Building community resilience to close energy and poverty gaps is an aim of the grants scheme, with the application fund supporting services which enhance wellbeing and daily life for residents.
Genevieve Duhigg, chair of NHI, said: “We are looking to hear from community-led projects, groups, volunteers and services who are working to build well-being and economic resilience in our rural communities.
“Our grant applications have benefited projects across the North Highlands and Islands and we welcome applications that support a wide range of projects, from keeping the lights on in the village hall, to mental health and well being support, to stocking food larders, planting gardens or supporting new opportunities including education, sport or culture. We want to hear how we can best support you and your community.”
The grant scheme considers applications for up to £2000, which matching at least one of the following priorities:
• Community well–being services that make communities better places to live and work.
• Community centres and spaces that bring communities together.
• Sustainability and environmental improvements and the encouragement of biodiversity or green spaces.
• Improving litter, recycling and waste capacity within the local area, including public toilets and motorhome facilities.
• Creation and identification of designated visitor parking areas.
• More effective visitor signage and information on local facilities or amenities.
Some of the previously awarded projects include:
• Singing for Fun workshops in the Black Isle.
• Dingwall Community Fridge.
• Poolewe Parents and Toddlers, by helping them secure venue hire for weekly sessions.
• Meet and Eat Together, a service providing residents of Dingwall with a welcoming and warm space to come together and socialise over a meal to improve mental wellbeing.
NHI is a not for profit organisation established in 2005 as a direct result of His Majesty King Charles III’s commitment to support the people and businesses of the North Highlands.
Find out more about NHI and apply for a grant at www.northhighlandinitiative.co.uk.
