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Projects Across The
Highlands and Islands Are to Benefit From European Funding Worth £14.5
Million
 Projects
across the Highlands and Islands are to benefit from European funding worth
£14.5 million, it was announced today.
Deputy Enterprise Minister Allan Wilson also confirmed that European cash
worth £2.3 million will make up part of an overall package of £8 million to
improve visitor facilities at Culloden battlefield. Culture Minister
Patricia Ferguson announced in January that the Executive will contribute
£3.75 million to the scheme.
Mr Wilson said:
"The Highlands and Islands - and many other regions of Scotland - have
already benefited considerably from European funding.
Today is yet another example of how these kind of projects can transform the
prospects both of individuals and entire regions. As Enterprise Minister I
have visited numerous initiatives that have benefited from European funding
and I never cease to be impressed by the enthusiasm of the people involved.
These visits are also a constant reminder of how money from Europe can
assist the Executive to get people into work, boost business, spark
regeneration and encourage tourism.
"I am particularly pleased the Culloden project is among those awarded
funding today. Scotland's history and heritage is one of our biggest assets.
It is something we must work to preserve and develop for both cultural and
economic reasons. I am sure today's announcement will help the battlefield
maintain and improve its position as an internationally renowned tourist
attraction."
Other projects to benefit include:
£241,572 towards the construction of a Tourist and Community Centre for
Islay. The building will be constructed on community owned land that was
purchased in March 2002. This building will accommodate all community
activities for young and old. The centre will improve the quality of life of
this isolated community.
Westray Development Trust will receive £186,930 towards its Renewable Energy
Centre project. This will generate green energy from methane gas to sell
locally.
Lochaber Enterprise is to be awarded £100,500 towards the Outdoor Capital of
the UK initiative. The project is to establish a marketing group that will
position Fort William and Lochaber as the 'Outdoor Capital of the UK'. The
marketing group will be managed by an Executive Director with support from
an administration assistant. The project will include a marketing budget to
promote the area as a destination for adventure and outdoor tourism
activities. The project is capable of creating jobs and will help SMEs gain
a sense of identity and offer them the potential to increase income.
The main strategic aim of funding from the Highlands and Islands Special
Transitional Programme is to increase the prosperity of the Highlands and
Islands through sustainable economic development and to reduce the social
and economic disparities within the region so that long-term progress can be
sustained beyond 2006.
In general projects have to show how they would benefit the Highlands and
Islands, with an emphasis on long term impacts, and that they would not go
ahead without the EU funding. The projects also have to show value for
money, that they are targeted on a specific area, fit in with local
strategies, adhere to equal opportunities and are committed to sustainable
development. Projects must have match funding approved to be considered for
European Regional Development Fund Grants.
Tourism is one of Scotland's biggest industries, worth some £4 billion
annually to the economy. The Executive's ambition is to grow this by 50%
over the next ten years, and Culloden, which has recently received some
£3.75m from the Executive, will play a key part in this.
The Culloden money is part of an £8 million package of funding secured by
the National Trust for Scotland, which was announced by Culture Minister
Patricia Ferguson earlier this year. This also included £3.75 million from
the Executive.
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