New fund for youth projects opens for applications

A new fund worth £15,000 has been established in the Cairngorms National Park to support projects that promote young people’s connection to nature and their community and inspire environmental awareness to address biodiversity loss and climate change.

The Cairngorms Youth Local Action Group (Youth LAG), a sub group of The Cairngorms Trust, is responsible for the fund which will empower young people in their living, learning and working within the Park. Among the types of activities that will be eligible include skills development, inter-generational projects, nature connection and inclusion.

Helping to oversee the process is the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s Outdoor Learning & Engagement Manager, Alan Smith. He explained: “We want to empower young people to do things that they couldn’t do without the fund whether it is promoting a connection to nature and the environment, tackling climate change, skills development or inspiring creative opportunities and improving wellbeing, we hope that this fund can help.

“The last two years have been difficult for everyone but our young people have found it particularly challenging, so if there are groups or individuals with a great idea to boost the lives of the Park’s youth, please do take a look at The Cairngorms Trust website for more information.”

Funding could be used to buy equipment and materials, pay for training courses, organising networking events and so on. The fund is aimed at those under the age of 30 and who live within the Cairngorms National Park, or will be carrying out their activity in the Park.

Furthermore, the Youth LAG will also commission and run their own projects from the Fund, which includes plans for a Youth Artist in Residence and a Celebration event at the end of the funding, to bring together all the beneficiaries and share success stories.

The fund opens for applications on 1st January with a deadline of 21 January 2022. More information can be found on The Cairngorms Trust website.

ENDS