The Scottish Government

Priority Code

Diversification of Rural Enterprise Priorities

Relevant Packages

A diverse land-based business sector, through:

OHE26a

a. 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. Particularly proposals that:

• contribute towards the establishment of Outer Hebrides based product promotion schemes through demonstrable use of local processing and consumer outlets
• demonstrate an innovative approach to developing new products and branding/identifying food and drink derived from the Outer Hebrides
• contribute to the establishment of local producers group activities in the Outer Hebrides
• add value to timber grown in the Outer Hebrides through support to local producers.

OHE26b

b. 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. Particularly proposals that:

• encourage greater co-operation between (particularly food) businesses that increases the efficiency of the food supply chain and provides better returns to the primary producer, e.g. by sharing costs in marketing, distribution and administration
• shorten the links between producer and consumer, e.g. between processors (especially finishers and slaughter houses) distributors, caterers, local consumer outlets and the hospitality industry
• assist with the establishment of improved and sustainable local producers market sites across the Outer Hebrides
• facilitate the use of local produce from the Outer Hebrides at all sizes of events (e.g. meetings, conferences, food festivals, music and other cultural events)
• encourage greater co-operation between businesses in order to facilitate the local re-use or recycling of waste arisings.

OHE26c

c. Improvements in environmental performance particularly in resource usage and waste management practices. Particularly proposals that:

• involve participation in local or Outer Hebrides wide waste management/recycling schemes, e.g. beneficial re-use of wastes locally or in wider recycling initiatives eg farm/croft plastics recycling schemes, energy efficiency or packaging.

OHE27

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. Particularly proposals that:

• Help improve distinctive and high quality local products that are used to promote the area as a visitor destination.

OHE28

The increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. woodfuel. Particularly proposals that:

• Proposals that contribute towards improved local power generation, including woodfuel production, and which commit to supporting sustainable renewable energy supply chain arrangements across the Outer Hebrides.

OHE29

Improved number of career development opportunities, through skills and training initiatives addressing rural skills gaps (complementing work of local enterprise agencies) and incorporating awareness of environmental and social objectives.

• 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
• support for proposals which seek to introduce new trainees into the land use sector and which also seek to improve the ability for multi-disciplinary land uses, e.g. crofters/land managers incorporating woodland/forest management into their livestock enterprise
• support for land managers to increase their skills on incorporating environmental and social objectives into their own traditional activities.

OHE30

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

• seek support for land-based tourism initiatives which support the Outer Hebrides tourism strategy
• develop and support distinctive rural tourism initiatives in the Outer Hebrides
• support the development of distinctive tourism niches such as ecotourism/wildlife viewing and activity/outdoors tourism and cultural heritage tourism
• support specific events in rural areas
• development of Green Tourism as a viable and important source of economic growth in the Outer Hebrides.