This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Extra cash for New Opportunities Fund
19/03/2003
An additional £5 million for the New Opportunities Fund Scottish Land Fund was announced today.
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning said the fund's key aim of helping to improve opportunities and reducing disadvantage in local and rural communities mirrored the Executive's priorities.
The New Opportunities Fund is a National Lottery Distributor.
The Minister said:
"Since its launch just over two years ago the fund has made 95 grants worth a total of £8.5 million to projects across Scotland.
"This additional £5 million will empower more local communities to take greater control over future developments, through sustainable business and environmental projects.
"Community participation in land ownership and management and diversifying this pattern is important in building a Smart Successful Scotland.
"The Scottish Land Fund is all about enabling Scottish rural communities to secure the means to earn a living from the land they live on. It does this through financial assistance at every stage of the process, including acquiring land and developing projects.
Mr Gray continued:
"An impressive range of projects have gone ahead as a result of the project and we are pleased to be able to contribute to this through the additional funding which Scottish Ministers secured following discussions with the UK Government.
"The fund has been an undoubted success supporting a wide range of projects across Scotland - from the first assistance application from the Kinlochleven Land Development Trust, to the Gordon Community Woodland Trust in the Borders, to the more recent community land purchase of a North Harris estate.
"Enhancing rural Scotland's environmental diversity and quality of life and opportunity are important achievements that we should all be proud of."
The Scottish Land Fund was established by the New Opportunities Fund - a National Lottery distributor, in February 2001. Initially allocated £10.8million the Fund, administered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, has assisted communities to establish the feasibility, complete the purchase, and undertake the development and management of local land and land assets.
NOF Scottish Land Fund was established in February 2001 with a budget of £10.8 million. As at March 2003, 95 grants worth a total of £8.5m had been made.