Calling for better funding support for the third sector
The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub are pleased to have received accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation for their commitment to paying staff the Living Wage however call for more action to support third sector organisations to be able to keep up with counterparts in other sectors.
The Hub is one of 22 across Scotland, each funded by Scottish Government to champion, promote and support communities taking climate action.
The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub was created as Hub Manager, Joan Lawrie understood that the work she was delivering as Development Manager for Thurso Community Development Trust was intrinsically linked with climate action and concluded that many community issues could be addressed via considered climate action. This idea fueled the application to Scottish Government and a few months later, the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub became one of the two pilot Hubs in late 2021.
Since then, the Hub has gone from strength to strength thanks to continued support from Scottish Government and input from members. Membership has quickly grown to over 300 groups, businesses and individuals who support the work of the Hub and are committed to tackling the climate emergency at grass roots level. The Hub supports communities from Shetland to Lochaber and employs 11 staff. The fight to combat inequalities via climate action continues and various projects and initiatives have been supported by the Hub in the last three years.
Hub Manager, Joan Lawrie said:
“I’m thrilled the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub has received accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation as recognition of our commitment to offering a fair wage and hope that we can set an example to other orgnaisations to consider the same. I am however, acutely aware of the challenges faced mostly by third sector organisations which mean they cannot participate in these types of initiatives through no fault of their own.
The unstable funding landscape often leaves individuals and organisations without clarity of their future. This puts projects, livelihoods and ambition into jeopardy. Without further commitment or longer funding awards, third sector organisations are restricted and valued employees leave the sector in frustration and an attempt to find job security.”
The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub have committed to Scottish Governments Fair Work First policy which it believes to be the right thing for employees current and to come.
The Hub operates as a voice for its members and one of the loudest messages it receives, is the unstable funding landscape making it increasingly difficult for organisations to commit to the continuation of their existence, let alone Living Wage, Fair Work First commitments and much more. This all contributes to communities being bogged down and feeling underwhelmed to take action of any kind.
As part of Challenge Poverty Week 2024, The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub are set to host an event with a guest speaker from The Poverty Alliance which explores how communities can contribute to Scotland’s Net Zero aspirations via climate action projects. The Hub stands with the Poverty Alliance as they call for change to allow future success and a Just Transition to a Net Zero Scotland.
