Angus projects have ‘exciting work ahead’ thanks to funding

Five local projects have been awarded European grants by Angus LEADER, with funding over the last six months amounting to about £500,000.

Among the projects are a small, new-build hay-barnstyle bunkhouse next to an established equine business at Auchlishie Farm, Kirriemuir, and a refurbished shop and café development at Ashbrook Nursery in Arbroath.

Money has also been awarded for the expanding production of artisan tea by a growers’ partnership in Angus and neighbouring counties, research for Angus Financial Inclusion Partnership on advice-based services for rural areas and support funding for youth projects with Scottish and European partners.

The Angus LEADER Local Action Group, comprising of representatives from local communities, businesses and organisations with an interest in rural development, meets quarterly to approve grants and has several more bids for consideration in the coming months.

The rural development programme is part-funded by the Scottish Government and the European Community and aims to improve the quality of life and prosperity in rural communities through locally driven initiatives and projects.

Group chairwoman Gill Lawrie said: “It’s great to see our fund being used for the benefit of communities and businesses in Angus – these projects that we have funded have exciting work ahead of them. LEADER Euro-funding remains open for further applications – great news for rural Angus.”

Anyone interested in making an application should contact ruralleader@angus.gov.uk.