Cairngorms National Park fund set up to run youth projects
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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.
The fund, which will open on January 1 in the new year, aims to inspire environmental awareness among young people 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.
Activities focusing on skills development, nature connection and inclusion, and inter-generational projects, are among those that will be eligible.
Cairngorms National Park Authority outdoor learning and engagement manager Alan Smith said: "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."
The fund is aimed at those aged under 30 who live within the park, or will be carrying out their activity in the park.
Funding could be used to buy equipment and materials, pay for training courses or organise networking events.
The Youth LAG will also commission and run its own projects from the fund. It has 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 January 1 with a deadline of January 21, 2022.
