Employability
Rural Community Engagement Fund 2023-2024
The Highland Employability Partnership (HEP) have agreed to create the Rural Community Engagement Fund. This fund will use money from the Scottish Government to support the 'No One Left Behind' initiative in the Highlands.
Bids can be made by non-profit organisations based in rural Highland communities to organise activities that will help people of all ages secure employment or advance in their current job.
However, we are aware that some families are more at risk of experiencing poverty. So, all funding applications should prioritise helping these vulnerable families. According to the Scottish Government's 'Best Start, Bright Futures: tackling child poverty delivery plan', nearly 90% of children in poverty in Scotland come from six specific types of families:
- Single-parent families
- Minority ethnic families
- Families with disabled parents or children
- Families with three or more children
- Families with a child under one year old
- Families with a mother under 25 years old
We understand that getting people involved may take time and a variety of approaches will be needed. Nevertheless, the main purpose of this fund is to encourage more people in rural Highlands to seek assistance from the Highland Council Employability Service.
This fund is available to third-sector organisations located in settlements with fewer than 10,000 residents in the Highland Council area. The funding ranges from £2,500 to £10,000, and each organization can submit only one application.
Make sure to read the guidelines for this fund before completing the application form. Application forms and supporting documents must be submitted by 5pm on Monday 2 October 2023.