Environmental Justice Fund
Provision of £2 million was made available for the Fund to operate in the financial year 2007-08. (The fund operated only in 2007-08.) Through the Environmental Justice Fund it was hoped to support projects that help communities enjoy their local environment and become more involved in the amenities and activities it can provide, as well as the issues and decision-making that surrounds it. This should lead to communities that are stronger, safer and more inclusive. ( Fuller information on Environmental Justice and the purpose of the Fund.)
To be eligible to apply for funding, communities needed to demonstrate how they have been affected by past or present damaging or polluting activity. In addition, projects must:
Improve the local environment for communities and promote environmental justice by addressing damaged or inadequate environments caused by past or present damaging or polluting activity;
Have the full engagement and support of the local community and help build capacity to enable and encourage local people to participate in decisions about their environment;
Promote and support sustainable development and have demonstrable social, environmental and economic outcomes that benefit the local community.
Awards of Environmental Justice Fund grants in 2007-08, announced on August 29 2007 by the Minister for Environment Michael Russell, range from £100,000 up to £500,000. Ten grants were approved as follows:
Forfar Skatepark (Forfar Wheeled Sports Association) £143,004. Creation of a new skatepark facility at Lochside Country Park, a former landfill site, to encourage local young people to become more involved in physical activity and provide space for coaching and competitions
Forth & Clyde Canal, Clydebank (The Waterways Trust) £100,000. Animating the Canal - a regeneration project to improve access, signage and seating, and improve the appearance of the canal side environment
River Ayr Hatchery and Environmental Education Centre (Catrine Community Trust) £217,655. Proposal to establish a trout and grayling hatchery on the River Ayr as part of a larger environmental heritage project to enhance the biodiversity of the area alongside an education centre to promote local natural history
White House Recreation Park, Lanarkshire (Forth and District Initiative) £235,725. Phase two of a project to upgrade the park's facilities by addressing drainage problems, upgrading red ash running track and path network for multi-purpose needs and installing spectator seating
Sustainable Greengairs (EBS on behalf of Greengairs Community Council) £225,000. Proposals to develop a programme of projects including an outdoor pitch, multi-use games area, picnic and play site, extensions to the park and footpath network to regenerate the local area
South Falkirk Environmental Action Plan (Falkirk Council) £485,963. Regeneration of four key woodland sites around South Falkirk to create a network of woodland and other wildlife habitats with good quality paths
Hailes Quarry Park Community Greenspace (Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust) £136,341. Phase two of proposals to transform a former quarry site into a safe, accessible and multi-functional park by improving habitat and biodiversity through a wildflower meadow, vegetation management and scrub clearance, creating a new play area and improving links with a local canal
Riverside Path linking Aberfeldy to Kenmore (Upper Tay Group) £127,100. The project involves creating a multi-way path with signage and interpretation material along the riverside, linking small communities and providing a safer alternative to a busy transport route
Hattonrigg Learn & Play Project, Bellshill (North Lanarkshire Council) £150,000 The project aims to transform a large area of open space into a dynamic new educational, leisure and play facility for use by schools and the local community
Delivering our Future environmental volunteering programme (BCTV Scotland) £179,212. A Scotland-wide initiative to improve quality of life and opportunities through a themed environmental volunteering programme
The funding had to be claimed and spent by grant recipients prior to the grant scheme completion date of March 31 2008. Applications could be for grant between £100,000 and £500,000, with larger applications considered if they demonstrated significant outputs and outcomes in relation to the priorities of the grant scheme. Smaller grant applications could be considered for project development support activities and preparations of submissions. Applicants were encouraged to secure in-kind or community contributions, but partnership funding, while welcome, was not a requirement.
The Fund scheme was administered by Forward Scotland on behalf of Ministers. Forward Scotland performed a similar grant award function for the previous 4 years under the Community Environment Renewal Scheme (from the Aggregates Levy funding stream). In the 2007-08 round both funding schemes were advertised as a linked package under a broad "Supporting Strong Communities" heading. There was a very good response to the Fund. By the final closing date over 60 applications had been received for assistance under the Fund, with requests for grants totalling just under £14 million. The applications received were considered and reviewed by a Grants Panel appointed for the task.