Caithness.org News Index

Front Page Archives

HIGHLAND 2007 - COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
A funding formula for the distribution of community grants for promoting Highland 2007, the year that Scotland celebrates Highland culture, has been agreed by The Highland Council's Education Culture and Sport Committee. A total of �1 million is available for distribution in 2005-2006 for both running events and for embarking on projects, such as hall upgrades. A further �1 million will be available in each of the following two financial years.

The allocation for 2005-2006 is: -
Badenoch and Strathspey, �92,600; Caithness, �110,000; Inverness, �197,000; Lochaber, �123,200; Nairn, �75,200; Ross and Cromarty, �185,000; Skye and Lochalsh, �95,000; Sutherland, �122,000.

The funding formula for 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 will be reviewed at the end of the first financial year.

Applications for assistance are now available from The Highland Council's network of area Community Learning and Leisure Offices or from the Highland 2007 website: www.highland2007.com.

The Programme is split into to two funding streams - one (revenue) for events and the other (capital) for projects.

The revenue aspect amounts to �1.5 million over three years and is funded jointly by the three partners of Highland 2007 - The Scottish Executive, The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It is the responsibility of the Highland 2007 Project Team - led by Director Fiona Hampton - to manage and administer the fund, with assistance of a network of area Highland 2007 Management Groups, yet to be established. The role of each local 2007 Management Group will be to stimulate bids and to make recommendations on which applications should receive revenue funding for this strand of the programme in their area.

The capital element, also worth �1.5 million over three years, is funded solely by The Highland Council. It falls on the Council, through its eight Area Committees, to disperse. The purpose of the capital grants is to allow communities to take forward small projects that will help deliver the aims of Highland 2007.

To keep the bidding process as simple as possible, one application form will be used for both capital and revenue projects, which will then be directed in each area to the local 2007 Management Group in the case of revenue grants, or to the Area Committee in the case of capital grants.

Highland 2007 � Community Events and Projects
FAQ Sheet

What is the Highland 2007 Community Programme?
The aim of the Community Programme is to enable community groups and organisations to decide how Highland culture should be celebrated in their own area in 2007. Funds have been allocated to each Highland Council area to support projects and events that could form part of the Highland 2007 programme of celebrations alongside international and regional events.

Who can apply for funding?
Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for Highland 2007 funding. If your organisation is not a registered charity, a copy of its constitution must be provided with the completed application form.

What can the funding be used for?
Highland 2007 funding is available for both capital and revenue projects and events. Capital means one-off expenditure on large items such as improving buildings of facilities or to purchase equipment. Revenue means costs that would normally occur while staging an event or managing a project such as performers� fees, staffing costs, transport or marketing.

Can we apply for both capital and revenue funding for the same project or event?
Yes, but you will need to complete two separate application forms stating whether the bid is for capital or revenue funding at the top of the front page. Application forms for both capital and revenue funding are available from your local Community Learning and Leisure Office and completed forms should be returned to the same source.

Who will make the decision on the applications?
Revenue funding applications will be considered by your local Highland 2007 Management Group. Capital funding applications will be reviewed by The Highland Council Area Committees. Ask your Community Learning and Leisure Office for details of who sits on each group if you would like to know.

How often will they meet to consider and approve applications?
The timing may vary in each different area. For details of the schedule in your area and for advice on when to apply, please contact your Community Learning and Leisure Office.

Can we apply for funding in 2005, 2006 and 2007?
Only one application for revenue funding and one application for capital funding for an individual project or event should be submitted to cover the whole period of the event or project. Please do not submit bids in consecutive years for the same project or event.

What is the maximum amount of funding we can apply for?
For revenue funding there is no maximum limit. A maximum grant of �30,000 will be available for any capital funding application.

Do we need to have match funding in place to support the application?
Match funding is not essential for revenue applications, however it will increase the likelihood of your bid being successful if some form of support in cash or in kind is available from other sources. Capital funding applications must have match funding to a minimum of 25%.

If we already have funding support from the LEC or from The Highland Council can we still apply to Highland 2007?
Yes, however each application will be reviewed on its individual circumstances.

If we are unsuccessful, can we reapply for the same project or event at a later date?
Yes, but it would be wise to get feedback on the reasons for the decision to assess whether future applications are likely to be successful.

Will we be asked to provide any information after the project or event?
Organisations will be required to complete a standard report at the end of the project or event and to return them to the Highland 2007 office. These are being finalised at present and will be available in the near future.

What do we do if we need more information?
Contact your Community Learning and Leisure office. Alternatively contact Morven MacLeod at the Highland 2007 office on 01463 702007 or at [email protected]

What Is Scotland's Year Of Highland Culture All About?
Scotland�s Year of Highland Culture 2007 will have a combined capital and revenue budget of around �30 million, with large-scale events such as a new Celtic music festival and the world�s largest ceilidh already being planned.

While a proportion of that money would have been spent on cultural events and providing new facilities in the Highlands regardless of whether the festival was taking place, the event has helped attract extra funding from the Scottish Executive and national arts and cultural bodies.

Highland Council community development manager Graham Watson said: �The Scottish Executive has not yet announced the revenue sum it will commit but from indications we are looking at a budget of �9-12 million. That will include �2 million to give out as grants to enable communities to develop and run their own events.�

The Scottish Executive has already announced capital funding of �9.5 million, which will help develop a number of cultural and visitor attractions including Eden Court Theatre in Inverness. A matching sum is expected to come from a range of other public agencies, bringing the capital funding to �19 million.

Highland 2007 director Fiona Hampton said the council areas and local communities will have a chance to bid for funding from January. She added: �There will be a range of large-scale national and international events which will be the responsibility of Highland 2007 to ensure that they happen and there will be community-scale events.�

The Year of Highland Culture 2007 was launched in March 2003 after the failed bid by the Highlands and Inverness to become European Capital of Culture. At the time First Minister Jack McConnell said the proposals would ensure that the �330,000 spent bidding for the title did not go to waste.