LEADER brings Scottish Rural Parliament to Midlothian and East Lothian
The Tyne Esk LEADER rural funding programme has become gamekeeper turned poacher by securing funds to promote the Scottish Rural Parliament in rural Midlothian and East Lothian.
Change fund
The funding forms part of the Scottish Government’s Rural Communities Testing Change Fund, which tests new ways to support and deliver on community-led local development. Community priorities will also be tested against the recommendations from the Scottish Rural Parliament, along with current Scottish Government priorities, to establish a needs-based strategy for future funding.
Consultation
The Scottish Rural Parliament runs every two years and forms the most comprehensive consultation on rural issues in Scotland. Part of the European Rural Parliament movement, it produces a manifesto which has significant influence over Scottish Government policy. The latest Scottish Rural Parliament ran earlier this year and was attended by over 500 individuals representing 100 organisations.
Rural voice
Tyne Esk LEADER Local Action Group Member, and Chief Executive of Midlothian Sure Start, Cheryl Brown said:
“Midlothian and East Lothian are largely rural areas but have been under-represented in the Scottish Rural Parliament so far. This is a powerful collective rural voice which has influence on national policy, and we cannot afford to miss out”
About LEADER
Tyne Esk LEADER is part of the wider European Union LEADER programme. Funding for the programme after March 2022 will be Scottish Government dependent.