We are excited to be launching the Smart Islands project with funding from Leader Action Groups in the Outer Hebrides and the four counties of Ireland with islands. Our first big event will be the gathering of island representatives from across Scotland and Ireland on Grimsay in Uist during the week September 30th to October 4th. In addition to sessions to share knowledge and experience on a wide range of island topics, the week will also include the AGM and annual gathering of the Scottish Islands Federation, and a video link to the presentation of the draft Islands Plan to the Scottish Parliament.
This will be followed in November (11th to 15th) by training in Galway for representatives of Irish islands to share the Uist experience of community-based research, support for local economic and enterprise development, and community coaching, especially for younger islanders.
Building on the insights from our Islands Revival blog, and on the positive Scottish policy environment for islands with the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 and the National Islands Plan, these are indeed exciting times for island communities.
THE SMART ISLANDS PROJECT IS PART-FINANCED BY THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY OUTER HEBRIDES LEADER 2014-2020 PROGRAMME
