Ar Talamh – Ar Coimhearsnachd – Ar n-Àm©
Our Land - Our Communities – Our Time©
Scottish Community Land Newsletter –October/November 2007
The independent Scottish Community Land Network (SCLN) aims to encourage, support and inspire the community land sector in Scotland through shared experience, networking and promotion of Scottish community land initiatives. – Over 1900 subscribers
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News - Woodland & Forestry – Funding & Support – Events – Training - Community Websites - etc.
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Hi All,
The community land ownership doesn’t seem to be catching the public attention as it once was. The press doesn’t seem to have the big whole community or island buyout to latch onto. Or could it be that land reform has become stale, stagnating with less than visionary legislation that isn’t delivering the goods. Have a look at Andy Wightman’s recent papers in SCLN News for an informed view of what has really happened so far under the Land Reform Act.
Good luck with all your communities,
Cheers,
Steve
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The Caledonia Centre for Social Development has been busy moving on the Scottish Land Reform agenda with 2 papers produced by Andy Wightman recently. Some months ago Andy did a thorough review of the first 2 years of the of the community right to buy in Part 2 of the Land Reform Act. The summary is damning. With this and his paper on his on Common Good Land, the groundwork was done for his latest report a vision for further land reform - Land Reform - An agenda for the 2007-2011 Scottish Parliament.
A new guide to ‘Supporting Communities & Environmental Volunteering’ has just been published BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers –the biggest practical conservation charity in Britain). The free publication includes examples of community conservation projects across the country from Shetland to Galloway, and in both urban and rural locations. These include community woodlands, school gardens, allotment initiatives, environmental arts, and village enhancement schemes. . To obtain a copy of the guide simply send 3 first class stamps (covering postage) to BTCV Scotland, Balallan House, 24 Allan Park, Stirling, FK8 2QG
NAVCA (the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action) in collaboration with
The Community Sector Coalition
The Community Foundation Network
The Directory of Social Change
formed a coalition in England recently to campaign for the importance of a small grants programme, Sustaining Grants to assist the ever growing community and volunteer sector. Download Sustaining Grants here.
The new and long overdue Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) has been submitted to the European Commission and the Scottish Government now awaiting their final sign-off, expected before the end of this year. Funding will be available in the programme for rural community groups delivering the 5 key outcomes, one of which is support thriving rural communities. Download the SRDP Plan here.
The Friends of the Earth Scotland are offering Training for Change Skills for community action
in 2008. These include:
Media and Communication Skills - how to use the media to help your project, campaign or community action (starting January 2008)
The Planning System and how to use it influence what gets built and what doesn¹t (starting February 2008)
Community and Project Development - learn the skills that encourage people to take action (starting March 2008)
The Paths for All Partnership was set up to facilitate the development of paths for recreation, health and well-being, strengthening communities, sustainable transport and economic development. Download their latest newsletter Right Track Issue 29.
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Community Woodlands Association has now its full compliment of 5 fulltime staff as a result of its successful application from Dynamic Inclusive Communities (part of the Big Lottery Fund’s Investing in Communities). They will now take forward and deliver additional benefits for members, a stronger network with all key stakeholders and a stronger voice in the community woodlands. Visit their revamped website including contacts for their new regionally located staff.
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Tree for All Grants is £1000 grant for helping long term sustainability of woodland groups. this funding is offered through the Woodland Trust’s Community Woodland Network it is also available through the Community Woodland Association.
Go4 Volunteering grant programme offered through the Voluntary Action Fund, provides grants of up to £2000 to help small groups become more effective and confident about involving volunteers and to help volunteers become better skilled. 2 significant changes have increased the ease of application:
Income threshold for potential applicant groups has been raised from £25K per annum to £50K per annum.
Applications are now welcome at any time and will be assessed throughout the year i.e. no closing date. Visit the website or contact Patricia.
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Community Renewable Energy
Congratulations to Here We Are (Cairndow, Argyllshire community) who will shortly launch their new wood chipping plant - Our Power. Based in Cairndow at the head of Loch Fyne, Our Power will be the first community-owned chipping plant in Scotland. Profits from this initiative will generate revenue for Here We Are, a social enterprise that provides a range of services to the Cairndow community. They are the only community group to use the now closed £7.5 million Scottish Biomass Support Scheme, a capital grant that promoted the biomass (primarily wood-fuel) sector in Scotland. Download their newsletter for the latest on all their projects.
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National Networking Event - Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens
Friday 28th September - SNH Offices, Battleby, Perth.
Contact Naomi or tel 0131 623 7058
The Vital Spark 2007- A major International Event on Heritage Interpretation
30th September - 3rd October - Aviemore
Discounted places available for community-based individuals contact Ian at CLU
Community Woodlands Annual Conference - Reclaiming the Woods: Assets to Develop the Community
9th to 11th November - West Park Centre, Dundee Contact Caron or tel. 01592 784489
The Social Enterprise Institute Annual Conference – The Road Ahead
Friday October 26th -James Watt Conference Centre, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh
Inspiring Ambition – The Institute of Fundraising
29 October - 31 October - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow
Social Capital & Financial Inclusion International Conference - Assist Social Capital
9 November - Royal Bank of Scotland's World HQ, Gogarburn, Edinburgh
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For relative links, resources or community groups see the respective links at SCLN Links, SCLN Resources or SCLN Community Groups
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Current circulation – over 1900
This newsletter has been generously funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Lomond & Rural Stirling Leader+ and North Highland Leader+
For a free monthly subscription to the newsletter: join@communityland.org.uk
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The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are for general information and do not represent those of the Community Land Unit, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Lomond & Rural Stirling Leader+ or North Highland Leader+
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