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BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
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14 May 2009
Bòrd na Gàidhlig has launched its annual Challenge Fund for community projects Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd, aimed at supporting community-based initiatives that seek to strengthen the acquisition and use of Gaelic and support the delivery of the National Plan for Gaelic.
The Bòrd, the principal Gaelic agency responsible for developing Gaelic, has allocated £100,000 to the 2009 fund, in addition to £190,000 allocated to projects continuing from last year.
Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd is part of a three-year programme and applications are now being invited from community organisations, voluntary groups, small businesses and other organisations seeking to promote grass root Gaelic language activities in communities or networks.
Rosemary Ward, Acting Chief Executive of the Bòrd said: “The Bòrd’s focus on a community-based approach to strengthening and extending the language is key to supporting the delivery of the National Plan for Gaelic. This is a national project and we are inviting communities and networks throughout Scotland to apply for support. This assistance is available to communities beyond those which have already been identified for support through the Iomairtean Cànain (Language Initiatives) and we look forward to hearing from organisations in areas where Gaelic is well established, and from other communities where it is growing”
The Bòrd’s support for the community programme has been welcomed by Michael Russell MSP, Minister for Gaelic. He said: “The Scottish Government is committed to securing a sustainable and successful future for Gaelic in Scotland and the release of this funding to Bòrd na Gàidhlig is yet another step towards achieving that goal. Support for community based initiatives is vital and this three-year programme will enable a number of community projects to be established, which might otherwise not have happened.”
Bòrd na Gàidhlig will consider funding requests up to the value of £5,000 per project. The Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd fund is open for applications up to 12 June, 2009.
Rosemary Ward added: “The Bòrd was delighted with the initial success of Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd last year. A large number of very interesting projects secured funding when the support was first offered last year and the Bòrd has committed assistance for these projects for up to three years. Supporting work in communities is crucial if Gaelic is to continue to develop and the number of speakers is going to grow over coming years. Projects in communities can often make a big difference between the language being used or not, and this scheme has been put in place to encourage communities to plan and support innovative projects that impact positively on Gaelic in their local areas.”
Further information and application forms for Taic Freumhan Coimhearsnachd are available by contacting Bòrd na Gàidhlig on 01463 225454, or email tabhartas@bng.org.uk or on the Bòrd na Gàidhlig website at http://www.bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk/freumhan.html
For further information on this news release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan on 0751 528 7040.
Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Darach House, Stoneyfield Business Park, Inverness, IV2 7PA
Tel: +44 [0] 1463 225454 • Fax: +44 [0] 1463 716217 • fios@bord-na-gaidhlig.org.uk