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PAGE ONE

Community Investment Programme 2007 -2008 

Introduction 

Communities are a vital part of the 
Cairngorms National Park and they can 
now be given assistance with the 
invaluable work they undertake. 

The Cairngorms National Park “Community 
Investment Programme” offers grants to 
communities who are contributing to the 
Park’s aims. 

Priority areas for Grant funding 

There are six priorities for grant funding in 
2007/08. They are: 

• Ensuring a Park for All by strengthening 
community-based groups, increasing 
participation and supporting community 
enterprises linked to the natural and 
cultural heritage of the Park. Support will 
also be available to low-income, youth and 
disability groups who are seeking to visit 
and experience the Cairngorms. 

• Events and marketing of new ideas 
within the Park. Projects that create links 
across the Park, those which strongly 
promote the Park brand and those events 
which take place outwith peak season 
times will be especially welcome. 

• Biodiversity grants aim to tackle issues 
set out in the Cairngorms Local 
Biodiversity Action Plan including 
addressing lack of data and/or important 
information, raising awareness of 
biodiversity, direct habitat loss and 
fragmentation, inappropriate management, 
climate change, pollution, the control of 
non-native species and also objectives in 
the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. 

• Interpretation to help groups share 
their enthusiasm for a place or subject. 
We hope grants will encourage people to 
share stories of the National Park in many 
different and exciting ways. 

• Outdoor access to support the 
upgrading of paths or structures like 
gates, stiles, signposts and way markers; 
to do a condition survey of local paths or 
develop an idea that encourages 
responsible behaviour in the outdoors. 

• Cultural Heritage to conserve, enhance 
and develop a sound knowledge and 
understanding of the archaeological and 
historic built heritage in the Park, as well 
as the cultural traditions of the area’s 
communities. 

Eligibility 

We want to encourage proposals that are 
imaginative and innovative, therefore the range 
of projects that may qualify is wide. 

Each of the grant priorities has its own more 
specific criteria. Applicants should therefore 
initially send a project outline to us describing 
your project idea and to get further advice 
(contact details overleaf). 

The Programme will be open to voluntary 
groups and organisations that demonstrate the 
following: 

• The group is governed by an elected 
committee with a written constitution or 
is a company limited by guarantee. 

• There are no restrictions on membership 
but a minimum of 10 supporters or 
volunteers is expected. 

• The group must normally operate within 
the National Park (with the exception of 
targeted groups under the Park for All 
priority and groups under the Biodiversity 
priority which applies also to some areas 
adjoining the Park). 

The Programme is also open to applications 
from business based associations who can 
demonstrate a wider community benefit. 


PAGE TWO

Grants Available 

For projects up to £5,000, grants can cover up 
to 90% of the project cost (ie £4,500). For 
Biodiversity grants, the upper limit is 
100% (ie up to £5,000 maximum). The 
minimum grant is £500. 

The remaining 10% of the project costs are 
expected to come from the group or from 
another funder. For information or help on 
other funding avenues please contact the 
CNPA. 

If your project is over £5,000 please contact 
Patricia Methven to discuss possible ways we 
can help. 

Please note that you may not apply for 
additional funding from another EU source as 
the Scheme is already part funded by the EU 
LEADER+ Programme. 

If we cannot support your project we will try 
to advise you of other funders. 

Completion of the project must take 
place between April 2007 and mid 
March 2008. The closing date for 
applications is 1 October 2007. 

More Information 

Application forms and guidance notes can be 
found on the Cairngorms National Park 
Authority website at www.cairngorms.co.uk 
or we can email or post the forms direct to 
you. 

All previously approved projects are also listed 
on the website. New projects will be added so 
that ideas can be shared and clashes between 
events avoided. 

Before completing your application, please 
contact the staff at: 

Cairngorms National Park Community 
Investment Programme 
(t) 01479 870543 
(e) patriciamethven@cairngorms.co.uk 

Cairngorms National Park Authority 
14 The Square 
Grantown on Spey 
Moray 
PH26 3HG 
www.cairngorms.co.uk 

Images:  Leader+ logo, Scottish Natural Heritage logo, The Highland Council logo,
Angus Council logo, Cairngorms National Park Authority logo, Cairngorms National Park brand logo.


Community Investment 
Programme 
-2007 2008 

Image:  photograph of visitors at stalls