Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick has welcomed the news that three projects in Shetland are set to benefit from the latest round of funding from the Scottish Government’s Islands Programme.

Islands Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced the news in Shetland whilst attending a conference on sustainable islands – part of a two-day visit to the region where she will be meeting with local businesses and communities.

Reacting to the news, Ms Roddick said she was delighted to see over £800,000 allocated across three projects in the islands which includes the development of a community growing space and park for skills building, food growing and volunteering.

She said:

“I am delighted to see three exciting projects in Shetland named amongst the recipients of this next round of Islands Programme funding.

“Communities in Shetland have been so resilient through the hardships of the cost-of-living crisis and it is right that they are given this extra support to bring people together, boost the local economy, and support their long-term sustainability.

“As the Tories continue to hammer the economy and neglect the most vulnerable in our society, this funding is yet another demonstration of the Scottish Government’s commitment to its people and to Scotland becoming a fairer, more equal nation.”

ENDS

Notes:

• Background – The 2023/24 Islands Programme (IP) was launched on 31 January 2023, with an application deadline of 21 April 2023. It is being delivered in partnership with local government via a competitive bid process with the six island Local Authorities as lead applicants. Applications to the IP have been subject to scrutiny and assessment by the Islands Programme Investment Panel which has made recommendations on projects to be funded. The panel is selected from Scottish Government and a range of partner organisations who have experience of panel assessments and infrastructure spending.