Orkney Islands LEADER Programme 2007-2013 | graphic version | sitemap | log in
|
||
The LEADER Broadband Challenge Fund Posted on 13 July 2010 The Leader Broadband Challenge Fund Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead formally launched the LEADER Broadband Challenge fund on the 1st July 2010. Rural communities will be able to bid for a share of a million-Euro fund (£800,000) to bring enhanced broadband to their areas across all of Scotland. The new investment is to be delivered by the LEADER scheme which supports small-scale, community driven projects in rural areas and is aimed at improving coverage and bringing faster broadband rural communities. Leader Local Action Groups have now been invited to collect local applications, assess them using their existing LEADER procedures, and submit those deemed suitable to a Rural Broadband Challenge Fund. Bids will be considered by the Scottish Government in October so all applications from Orkney should be completed and passed to The Orkney LEADER Programme by 27th August 2010 Projects should be in keeping with the LEADER principles and applications made to LAG groups should have a positive rural development impact which they consider improved broadband access would bring. Examples include: community groups wishing to upgrade exchanges, pilot projects into next generation broadband, supporting a business collective to access better broadband etc Applications for financial assistance will be accepted from: · Individuals (although the project must support LEADER principles and demonstrate wider rural development benefits) · Constituted community groups · Public organisations and agencies · Partnerships, trusts and other non-governmental organisations · Social enterprises · Collaborative business/ community organisations (constituted groups). There is no limit set for the value of project bids to Scottish Government or applications to LAGs. One million euros is to the total funding available in the Challenge Fund. No match funding is required ie 100% costs under Challenge Fund. The Orkney LEADER Lag will employ its existing application forms and assessment procedures to consider projects. Due to the summer holidays there is not much time for applications to be made so we urge any communities, groups etc wishing to put forward a bid to submit a draft application form as soon as possible A summary of the application process is available in our Document Library Posted on 13 July 2010 Funding Boost for Rural Broadband Posted on 13 July 2010
News
Funding Boost for Rural Broadband
€1 million challenge fund to improve countrywide coverage
Rural Communtities will be able to bid for a share of a million-Euro fund to bring enhanced broadband to their areas.
The new investment is being delivered by the LEADER scheme which supports small-scale, community driven projects in rural areas and is aimed at improving coverage and bringing faster broadband rural communities.
Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that as many people as possible have broadband access and have already carried out a significant amount of work in this area.
“With it being used by more and more households as standard, I hope that this new challenge fund will further enhance Scotland’s broadband infrastructure and help rural firms gain a level playing field at a time when they need it most.
“Fresh investment through LEADER will bring faster speeds, improved coverage or simply research to identify the digital needs of an area.”
Background
Presently €1 million equals just over £800,000. The €1 million amount is fixed, regardless of exchange rate. The deadline for bids to the Scottish Government is September 24, 2010.
Broadband in Scotland:
LEADER aims to increase the capacity of local rural community and business networks to build knowledge and skills, and encourage innovation and co-operation in order to tackle local development objectives. LEADER accounts for 5 per cent of the total SRDP allocation (around £38m). An additional £19.2m Convergence Funding has been awarded to seven Local Action Groups LAGs in the Highlands and Islands in recognition of its previous status as a disadvantaged and remote area. Funding is awarded by LAGs who take decisions on projects which are community driven and have a wide community benefit. These LAGs are a partnership made up of representatives from:
Posted on 13 July 2010 New Employment Opportunity Available Posted on 02 June 2010 PART-TIME RECYCLING CENTRE MANAGER ORKNEY ZEROWASTE wants to recruit a part-time manager for their new Garson Recycling Centre, for a one year fixed contract.
This post will require approximately 2.5 days per week to organise, develop and run the Garson Recycling / re-use centre. The role will also involve recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers.
The Centre Manager will be required to work most weekends.
The required candidate will be self-employed (as they will have to organise their own income tax and National Insurance contributions), have their own transport, and ideally will be an enthusiastic recycler with some knowledge of the sector (although training will be given if needed).
For more details and an application form, please contact Jenni Kakkonen:
Orkney ZeroWaste,
c/o 16 Station Square
Holm
Orkney
KW17 2SE
Posted on 02 June 2010 |
![]() News Headlines Funding Boost for Rural BroadbandThe LEADER Broadband Challenge FundNew Employment Opportunity Available![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
||