The Scottish Government

Priority

Code

Diversification of Rural Enterprise Priorities

Relevant Packages

Provide a diverse land-based business sector, through:

HIG26a

Encouraging innovation and new product development and local processing, marketing and retailing in line with Scottish Food and Drink Strategy and the Scottish Forestry Strategy. In particular proposals that:

• support innovative approaches to developing products in the food and drink sector derived from the Highland area
• facilitate access to local food either through physical infrastructure; distribution hubs or direct to consumer delivery services
• develop the potential for non-timber forest products, e.g. mushrooms
• add value to timber grown in Highland through support to micro-businesses to primary and secondary process.

HIG26b

Strengthening links between primary producers and other industry sectors (including processors, retailers and the food service sector) to develop predictable and stable supplies and reduce costs, waste and food/timber miles and live animal transport. In particular proposals that:

• encourage greater co-operation between businesses in both the food and forest industry sectors that increases the efficiency of the local supply chains and provides better returns to the primary producer, e.g. by sharing costs in marketing, distribution and administration
• support further capacity building of new and existing local food producers through, for example, the Highlands and Islands Local Food Network
• shorten the links between producer and consumer, e.g. between processors (especially finishers and abattoirs) distributors, caterers, local consumer outlets and the hospitality industry
• assist with the establishment and improvement of existing farmers market sites across Highland.

HIG26c

Improvements in environmental performance particularly in resource usage and waste management practices. In particular proposals that:

• demonstrate measurable reductions in current waste creation or, the reuse of waste and a corresponding reduction in the dependence on raw materials.

HIG27

Higher value rural goods and services being delivered from the primary (agriculture and forestry) manufacturing and processing, and the recreation and tourism sectors through improvements in quality and reductions in production, processing and transport costs. In particular proposals that:

• educate and encourage primary producers (agriculture, forestry and game) to embrace opportunities presented by tourism resulting in higher value goods and services
• help to improve distinctive and high quality local goods and services which are used to help promote the area as a visitor destination
• encourage greater co-operation between businesses in both the food and forest industry sectors thereby reducing production/processing/transport costs to provide better returns for the primary producer, e.g. by sharing costs in marketing, distribution and administration.

HIG28

The increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. woodfuel. In particular proposals:

• that are in line with the Highland Renewable Energy Strategy, the Highland Woodfuel Strategy or the Highland Forest and Woodlands Strategy

• for micro-renewable projects/schemes utilising hydro, wind power, food and animal waste (bio-digester) and woodfuel/biomass that clearly deliver a net carbon benefit and that are principally for local consumption.

HIG29.

Improved number of career development opportunities, through skills and training initiatives addressing rural skills gaps (complementing work of Skills Development Scotland and Highlands and Islands Enterprise) and incorporating awareness of environmental and social objectives. In particular proposals that:

• assist individuals gain or maintain sustainable employment through developing skills particularly those that contribute to sustainability and productivity of their business or employer's business
• seek to introduce new trainees into the land use sector for example apprenticeship programmes for local food producers; new entrants to the forest industry sector, etc.
• seek to increase land managers' skills on incorporating environmental and social objectives into their own traditional activities.

HIG30

Improvement in the value and duration of tourism visits in rural areas, including maximising opportunities for green tourism. In particular proposals that:

• support existing local tourism strategies
• encourage retention of more tourism spend within the local economy
• decrease seasonality and promote a better spread of visitor numbers throughout the year
• support tourism developments based on the special qualities of the area, e.g. wildlife, outdoor activities, arts, culture
• support tourism developments that minimise their negative environmental impacts and encourage visitor awareness of environmental issues including support to access the Green Tourism Business Scheme
• support tourism developments that involve, and provide facilities for, local communities.

Improvements in integration between access and land management:

• priority will be given to proposals that enhance access/land management integration in NSAs, the settlement coalescence study, and opportunities arising from the Greenspace/Open Space strategy.

Improvements in facilities for specific user groups including all abilities. Particularly proposals that:

• include facilities for walkers, mountain-bikers, canoeists, horse-riders, divers, wildlife clubs, and community interest groups.