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Orkney has been allocated another £200,000 for local community-based projects following a decision by the Scottish Government earlier this month to hand over funds to the locally-managed LEADER programme.

The funds have been transferred to LEADER from the Scotland Rural Development Programme’s Rural Priorities scheme which targeted community services and facilities and local collaborative development strategies.

Orkney Islands Council Convener Stephen Hagan said: “LEADER has helped deliver some exemplary projects in Orkney. We welcome the additional funds and the opportunity to administer them at a local level. However, overall it is a small allocation which is disappointing and will require careful handling in order for benefits to be seen across the county.”

Alister Brown, Development Officer for the LEADER Programme said: “Orkney’s Local Action Group will be meeting soon to talk about the best way to manage these somewhat limited additional LEADER funds to make sure as many community projects as possible can be supported.”

The LEADER programme is aimed at projects which encourage community and economic development and is open to any constituted group including charities, development trusts and the public sector.

Coordinated by Orkney Islands Council since 2009, LEADER has now benefited 29 local projects, with £563k committed overall since the start of the Programme. Projects which have been supported by LEADER include the Eday Ranger Service, the Orkney Youth Café in Kirkwall, and development of Firth Park in Finstown.

The programme can provide match funding of up to 50% of project costs.

Anyone interested in LEADER should contact Alister Brown at Orkney Islands Council on (01856) 87 35 35 ext 2855 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it