Public Invited to Have Their Say on EU Initiative

Members of the public are being invited to help shape a new European Union community initiative - Highland LEADER (2007-13) – which is aimed at promoting economic and community development within rural areas.  They are being asked to complete a questionnaire to highlight what they think are priorities for improvements in their communities, including enhanced community facilities, childcare provision, tourism, rural transport and facilities for young people.

The deadline for responses is Friday 5 October.  The questionnaire is available here. Copies can also be obtained by contacting Wendy Anderson, Leader+ Programme Administrator, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, or telephone 01463 702548.

The present Leader+ Programme has distributed £2.5 million of EU funding, with an average grant contribution of £5,000 - £10,000.

The call to submit new LEADER bids has been issued by the Scottish Government and the Highland Wellbeing Alliance, the community planning partnership for Highland, has agreed to submit a bid for Highland, focusing on Revitalising Communities as its main theme. The Highland Council will act as lead partner and is in the process of setting up a new Highland Local Action Group.
A key element of the bid will be the development of a local development strategy, which accurately reflects the key issues and needs to be tackled across the area. 

The results of questionnaire will be collated and used by the Highland Leader LAG to deliver a relevant strategy and bid for the area.

Ms Anderson said: “Communities have already told us with previous initatives what they want but this is an opportunity to refresh their priorities and tell us what still needs to be done."