Two community projects in Orkney are benefitting from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.

Stronsay

Stronsay Development Trust’s Stronsay Energy and Waste Matters project will work to reduce waste and increase rates of recycling and energy efficiency. Project activities include opening a small recycling centre in the main village of Whitehall with an initial focus on cardboard, paper and wood waste, plus a toolshare shed and a clothing collection and swap scheme.

Further activities include home energy efficiency advice visits and investigation into creation of cardboard briquettes for heating, enabling the community to switch from higher carbon methods such as coal. Amount = £66,415 (includes maximum funding of £24,250 from the European Regional Development Fund).

Papa Westray

Papay Community Co-operative‘s Sustainable Papa Westray project will support homes in Papa Westray to become more energy efficient and help residents to choose more sustainable travel methods. Project activities include home energy efficiency advice plus provision of loan bikes and fuel-efficient driver training.

The project will also engage with people to raise awareness of climate change and low carbon living, with discussions also including subjects such as fuel poverty. Amount=  £33,832 (includes maximum funding of £4,018 from the European Regional Development Fund).

The European Regional Development Fund comes from the European Structural and Investment Fund which helps to facilitate major investments to support transformational change and economic and social structural reforms across Scotland.

The full list of recipients in Scotland can be found  at:Climate Challenge Fund – Round 24

Over £100million has been provided to projects in the last 10 years helping communities to make a real difference.

Keep Scotland Beautiful Chief Executive Derek Robertson said:

“Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Climate Challenge Fund have now helped more than 1,000 projects and look forward to supporting many more communities in the future – empowering them to help Scotland realise its carbon reduction ambitions.”

At an event to mark the 1,000th award which went to Glasgow-based Bike for Good encouraging young people, teachers and parents to cycle and reduce car use, the First Minister for Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon said:

“The Climate Challenge Fund enables communities to take ownership and action at a grassroots level, with projects that deliver tangible community and social benefits while helping address climate change.”

photo Scot Gov