GILRUTH URGES GROUPS TO APPLY FOR NEW COMMUNITY FUND
Published date : 10 Jan 2020
Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, is urging community groups to apply for grants from the new £150,000 ‘Plunge In! The Coasts and Waters Community Fund’.
The new Scottish Natural Heritage fund is set to offer a range of grants of up to £10,000 to community-led initiatives that will engage and connect more people with Scotland’s seas, coasts, lochs and rivers this Year of Coast and Waters.
Projects might include plans for restoring habitats, carrying out local surveys or promoting and celebrating local environment or wildlife, and should leave a legacy from the year through improved skills and knowledge or the creation of a community resource.
Commenting after the announcement of the new community fund, the MSP said:
“I am delighted to hear the announcement from the Scottish Natural Heritage about their new community fund which aims to support Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020.
“I would encourage any groups within the local community to apply for an award from this fund before the February 28th deadline. This is a brilliant opportunity for community groups to work towards projects that will boost interest and increase environmental scope in the local area.
“The Scottish Government and VisitScotland initiative will undoubtably build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding themed years and help to promote the economy, tourist and event sectors, and this additional fund from the Scottish Natural Heritage will help to ensure community engagement.”
Francesca Osowska, the Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage, commented:
“As Scotland’s nature agency, we’re really excited about the Year of Coasts and Waters. There is so much to celebrate about our coastlines and waterways and we want to encourage and inspire people to explore and enjoy them as much as possible throughout the year and beyond.
“We know communities up and down the country will also want to celebrate the year in their own way, but we recognise that some might lack the resources to do so.
“This new fund is a fantastic opportunity for groups to get involved, be creative, help their local environment and wildlife and improve our coasts and waters.”
More information on the fund is available here: www.nature.scot/PlungeInFund.
Find out more about Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters here: www.visitscotland.com/about/themed-years/coasts-waters/.
ENDS
Local Reporters
