Fairtrade reminds us to think of everything, and everyone, this Christmas...

There will be a Fairtrade event in Brodick Hall on Friday 6th November. As well as showcasing the ever-increasing range of Fairtrade goods available locally, the day will provide the chance to view Black Gold, a documentary on the difficulties faced by producers of coffee. Fairtrade provides us with the information required to support a fair market and help prevent exploitation. Local companies are supporting this event, including Island Treasure, Arran Active, Arran Asia, the Burnside Gallery and the Pillar Box, all of whom sell Fairtrade goods. The Co-operative also supports Fairtrade, both by stocking Fairtrade goods, and through its Fairtrade Community funding.

BT Community Connections award scheme

Community groups and organisations in the community benefit sector are invited to apply to BT for a year's free broadband connection and a free laptop. They must apply by 5th January 2010 by post or 7th January 2010 online, and be able to demonstrate the benefit the award would bring to their work with the local community.

Check the website to see past winners and to find out how to apply

www.btcommunityconnections.com

Rural Priorities funding rate goes up to 90%

The Scottish Government have announced an increase in the grant rate for community projects under the Rural Priorities part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

From 3rd September 2009, all new applications under the Community Services and Facilities option will be considered for a 90 percent grant rather than the 50 percent currently in operation. The new rate will apply to projects approved from Spring 2010 onwards.

Fairtrade Fortnight comes to Arran

On Saturday 7th March, Arran's Brodick Co-op will host a day-long event, which will tie in with Fairtrade Fortnight's Banana Eating record attempt! There will be chances to view and taste the wide range of Fairtrade products available on the island and beyond, with knowledgable locals on hand to offer information and pack bags at the tills. For more information, or to offer your bag-packing skills for a 2-hour slot, please call Graham Tinto on 01770 600517 or e-mail rgtinto@hotmail.com

Check the Fairtrade website for more event details.

SCVO to operate Rural Gateway website

From this spring, the SCVO Rural Team will be running the Rural Gateway website, under the new banner of the Scottish National Rural Network. Click here for the latest news.

Fairtrade on Arran AGM

Congratulations to the Fairtrade on Arran founder members and participating businesses after a successful year. Monday 16th February sees their Annual General Meeting in the Ormidale Pavillion, Brodick at 7.30pm. The 'business' side of the meeting will be complemented by cheese and Fairtrade wine. All welcome, especially any organisations wishing to join up or find out more about the benefits of the Fairtrade movement. Fairtrade Fortnight runs from the 23rd February. Check the Fairtrade website for more information.

Argyll and the Islands Leader

The Leader funding LAG meeting of 12th December 08 has awarded the Arran Natural History Society over £16,000 towards their project. They will be running The Arran Wildlife Events Programme, which is a great example of local community taking the reins of a project previously oranised by public bodies such as SNH and RSPB. The project's aim is to promote awareness of Arran’s natural heritage by encouraging people to record and conserve wildlife, and consider its sustainability. The Barn Owls project at Brodick Castle will be part of the Programme, as will the Hen Harrier viewing project at Kilmory Hall, the latter being an opportunity for a project to continue benefitting from Leader.

Avenues of support for Social Enterprise

At open sessions recently held on Arran and Cumbrae, an Irvine-based organisation called opp2mise (opportunities to move into Social Enterprise) made themselves known as a valuable source of advice and support for any local groups considering embarking on a Social Enterprise. Firstport also provide a Scotland-wide service, which is currently free of charge, thanks to funding from Communities Scotland.

Kilmory Hall on Arran is an example of a well-established Social Enterprise. They support a paid member of staff, and provide premises for services and events such as the local post office, community meetings, art exhibitions and farmers' markets. They have recently hosted a Leader-funded Harrier Viewing project.

The Rural Gateway website has details of forthcoming Social Enterprise information events in Scotland.

opp2mise

Firstport

Kilmory Hall

Rural Gateway

Argyll and The Islands Leader

Brodick Improvements Committee's bid for the allocation of Leader funding was successful. The Local Action Group's quarterly meeting, held in Oban on 26th September, heard bids from 14 shortlisted projects and approved dispersal of funds to 11 of those. Details of the projects can be viewed here

Kilmory Wildlife Viewing, Argyll Fisheries Trust and Visit Arran Market Research are 3 local groups already to have received financial help from the Leader Funding Programme in the previous rounds. More information on the programme, application forms and criteria can be viewed on http://www.argyllandtheislandsleader.org.uk

Arran Fairtrade at The Burnside Gallery, Brodick

Since the Arran steering group for Fairtrade was formed last December as an offshoot of the Arran Justice, Peace and Environment Group, the movement has gained momentum, with the week of 3rd - 10th September marking a celebration of support for Fairtrade on the island. For more information...

North Ayrshire Compact launched 3rd June 08

Compact is a widespread strategy to improve links between the voluntary and community sector and the government, and to extend opportunities for the voluntary sector’s members, supporters and users to contribute their experience and ideas to the development and implementation of public policy.

Implementation of the plan is ongoing on a national scale. Its success is dependent upon open dialogue between, and adequate representation of, the sectors concerned. Information on North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership can be found at www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/communityplanning

We will keep you posted on developments which affect Arran and Cumbrae. 

Click here to see the 2008-09 Compact Plan