Harlosh Beach Clean
At the start of April, Katy, Community Development Officer for Skye, Lochalsh & Ross, was delighted to partner with local organisations to host a beach clean. Over 45 people came to help, and together managed to fill a skip, tow away large netting and collect hard plastics for recycling. They even found lobster tags that had travelled across the Atlantic!

Community Action for a Greener Future in Shetland
On Shetland, Andrea our Community Development Officer, brought together community groups and agencies to understand the work of each other, know where support is and feel encouraged by the work communities are doing. Hearing about the impact of Northmavine Community Development Company was really inspiring. Our latest blog looks at how collaboration is key in climate action.

Badenoch & Strathspey’s Community Growing Gathering
Fiona, our Community Development Officer for Inverness & South Highland, was delighted to partner with CNPA to host a Community Growing Gathering. Local organisations came together to share progress, exchange knowledge and voted to give Skye of Curr Community Connextions Allotment £500 in a mini funding round. Fair Feast shared an interesting on their social enterprise which distributes vension from deer management to community food larders across Perthshire. Thanks go to Repair Cafe Cairngorms for a lovely lunch aswell!

Highland Community Waste Partnership: learning and legacy
The HCWP came to an end on 31st March after 3 years of activity. But they’ve been keen to ensure their legacy allows others to build upon their learning and achievements. This includes a series of informative webinars, where partners spoke about their collaborative work across key themes - you can view these here. The latest blog from Georgina Massouraki, Partnership Coordinator, reflects on the HCWP’s journey and how community action continues to contribute to the transition towards a circular economy. Watch out for the HCWP’s final report, coming soon.

Green Health Week 2025
This year Green Health Week runs from 3rd-11th May with a brilliant line up of events, walks and activities happening right across the Highlands. The theme is ‘Nature is for Everyone’ and is celebrating diversity and promoting equality of access by breaking down the barriers to participation. To see everything that is going on and get booked onto some great Green Health Week activities visit the events page here.

Return of Inverness Festival of Walking and Wheeling
The award-winning Inverness Festival of Walking & Wheeling returns from From 29th May to 7th June 2025. This year, ‘inspiring active travel’ is one of the main themes. The local community is encouraged to take part in the packed 10-day programme of activities including nature walks, BMX masterclasses, adapted cycle try-outs and woodland adventures. The full programme will be previewed at the Launch Night on Thursday 15th May at Inverness Creative Academy.

Highland Adapts
Throughout April, Highland Adapts progressed several exciting initiatives. They launched new research on the role circular economy plays in Highland’s food & drink industry, promoted the Highland Weather & Climate Story Map and shared advice on energy-efficient homes in Highland. Find out more here.

The RTS switch-off: what you need to know
It’s important to ensure that if your community building uses a Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS), it is replaced by Monday 30 June 2025 to ensure the heating can still be controlled. Energy suppliers are reaching out to customers to arrange smart meter upgrades, but if you have an RTS and haven’t been contacted you should reach out to book an appointment.
For details on how to check if you have an RTS or on installing a smart meter, see Home Energy Scotland’s guide here.

Funding Finder
Read our latest Funding Finder for our members, which totals funds nearly £3.5 million. This edition marks one year of our Funding Finder! Find the April edition here.

Community-Led Local Development Funding
The Hub is pleased to be working in partnership with Highland TSI and the Highland Council Community Regeneration Fund to deliver the CLLD Fund which gives communities the power to tackle their own problems by building knowledge, skills, supporting new ideas and encouraging co-operation. Funding of up to £10,000 is available from the Hub to third sector organisations operating community-led local projects, aimed at delivering the following themed activities: Resilient Communities and Sustainable Communities. More info here.

Highlands & Islands Climate Festival
In 2023 and 2024 the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival brought together communities across Highland, Orkney & Shetland during September to celebrate localism. We are currently awaiting funding confirmation for the HICF 2025/26, and once we have that in place we will release more details about this year’s celebration.

Funding Masterclass
Wed 7th May - 10am-12.30pm
Improve or refresh your funding finding and application writing skills with our interactive training workshop.
Register here

Bracadale Beach Blitz
Fri 9th & Sat 10th May - Loch Bracadale
Come along to join in with a Community Beach Clean around the loch. Reach out to skye.beachcleans@gmail.com if you are interested!

Nairn Community Flood Action
Thurs 22nd May - 2pm-6pm - Seaman’s Hall
Take action on Nairn’s flood risk by getting advice on protecting your home from the the Scottish Flood Forum and joining the new Flood Action Group.
More info

Members Events Map
Along with being able to see what's coming up at the Hub, you can now see what's coming up from our members. Our members are invited to share their events on our new dedicated events map on the Hub’s website - an exclusive membership perk. See & add to the map here.

Sustainable Spaces
Transform your community building into a sustainable space with an environmental policy & action plan, supported by the Hub’s Team of Development Officers. Support & training available now.

Food Hygiene Hero
Final call for those wishing to undertake our fully funded Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene for Catering course. Suitable for staff or volunteers involved in the delivery of a food waste project based in the Highlands or Northern Isles. Apply here.

Please Flush Responsibly
The Ullapool Sea Savers have been leading their #FlushResponsibly campaign by going door-to-door, talking to people, giving out leaflets and trying to get stickers onto every toilet in Ullapool. They want to make everyone understand how much harm flushing irresponsibly does to our marine environment and how important it is to return unused medication to Boots. They are also trying to get people to think about the connections between land and sea when it comes to all waste disposal.

Lochview Volunteer Day
Lochview Rural Training Centre is a charity near Lairg which offer a wide range of land-based courses, workshops and activities for children, young people and adults of all ages and abilities. They are looking for people passionate about the land-based sector and eager to inspire the next generation to join them as a volunteer. Join them for their Volunteer Information Day on Tuesday 17th June from 11.30am-2.30pm to learn more.

Aviemore Allotments Association
Aviemore Allotments Association is searching for new trustees, more volunteers and help getting the project finished. If anyone is interested in sharing their expertise and is able to help can they contact Judith at aviemoreallotments@gmail.com

Internship Opportunity at Seeds of Scotland
Seeds of Scotland has the opportunity for a young person to join them on a part-time internship to learn about organic horticulture and seed production. This is open to young people under 25 and will run from June-December 2025. The application deadline is 11th May 2025. More info here.

Contribute to the Youth Manifesto for Scotland’s Seas
Young Sea Changers Scotland are hosting a series of regional & national workshops to build a manifesto of young people’s demands on how to protect and restore our seas. They are especially calling for young people from rural and coastal communities to contribute. Anybody under 25 who calls Scotland home can contribute. More info.