Two projects benefit from LEADER funding

October 14, 2011 at 10:06 am

Two more projects have been granted support from the Orkney LEADER programme to help deliver projects aimed at tapping into and building on strengths in the county’s local communities.

The Stromness Community Business Forum has been awarded £8,145 towards a project to create a website showcasing events, developments and businesses in Stromness.

The idea builds on feedback gathered from a range of consultations with Stromness businesses held by the Stromness Townscape Heritage Initiative (STHI), match funders for the project.

It’s hoped that by bringing together information about festivals, events, local businesses and accommodation providers, and projects such as the STHI, the website will make it easy for locals and visitors to research and coordinate visits to Stromness and will help attract new and returning visitors, prospective workers, and former residents to the town.

Young people from Orkney’s smaller islands are also set to benefit from the latest round of LEADER with £45k awarded to the Orkney Alcohol Counselling & Advisory Service (OACAS). This will help fund a counsellor to work with junior high school pupils as they make the transition to school and community life on mainland Orkney for their senior secondary school years.

Anyone interested in LEADER should contact Alister Brown at the council on 873535 ext 2855 or by email at alister.brown@orkney.gov.uk, or visit www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/LEADER .