““The Islands Green Recovery Programme will stimulate new economic activity across our islands, helping businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic and creating new, quality jobs. ” Paul Wheelhouse Scottish Government Minister for the Islands

Now open for applications the £2million Islands Green Recovery Programme aims to support locally led initiatives to help businesses in the islands recover in the wake of the Covid19 economic fallout.

The £2 million is shared between:

Zero Waste Scotland fund – £300,000 to introduce packaging free shops

Energy Saving Trust fund – £300,000 to support carbon neutral initiatives

Inspiring Scotland fund – £900,000 to support community recovery projects

Highlands and Islands Enterprise fund – £500,000 to support green economic recovery

Celia Tennant of Inspiring Scotland said:

“We welcome the opportunity to fund and support locally-led green projects and look forward to working with all sectors – from businesses to sole traders, from charities to community groups – to help the economic prosperity of our islands.”

For independent retailers it helps them to develop packaging free shops.

Packaging free, or loose food shops, are becoming increasing popular with consumers. In Scotland they can be found in Aberdeen, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow but also the town of Inverurie.

Applications can also be made to the Islands Green Recovery Programme for low carbon transport and food sustainability projects.

Zero Waste Scotland who will also receive money from the European Regional Development Fund are hoping to reduce single use grocery packaging in the islands if local businesses take up the opportunity.

The Islands Green Recovery Programme is linked to Scotland’s National Islands Plan.

Inspiring Scotland is managing the delivery of projects that contribute to green recovery and carbon emission reductions. Islands groups and businesses can apply for up to £100,000 for capital expenditure projects. For more information click on this link:

Commenting on the Scottish Government funding support, Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for the Islands said:

“We know that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, a profound impact on our island communities. We want to use the learning from impacts encountered and solutions that have been identified during this pandemic to build the resilience of our island communities.

“We know being environmentally responsible and mitigating the effects of climate change can be more expensive for people living on our islands. This investment will also help reduce that financial burden and back projects that support sustainable, on-island employment.”

To find out more and apply click on the links at the start of the article.