19.02.2015 Outer Hebrides Local Development Strategy (LDS) Contents Introduction 4 1.Outer Hebrides Local Action Group Area 7 Background 7 Population and Migration 8 2. Development Needs And Opportunities In The Outer Hebrides 10 Outer Hebrides Economic Structure 11 Key Sectors 13 Workforce 18 Poverty and Social Inclusion 20 Summary 22 3. Engagement And Consultation 25 Introduction 25 Involving Local People 25 Public Consultation as Part of LEADER Evaluation 26 Workshop and Public Meetings 27 Working with Key Partners 30 Co-operative Projects and Networking 32 Youth Strategy 34 Continuous Engagement and Participation 40 4. Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF Strategy Objectives 42 Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF 2014-2020 Priority Themes and Objectives 43 Outer Hebrides LEADER 2014-2020 Programme Priority Outcomes 44 Linking Themes and Outcomes 48 Allocation Apportionment 52 Links with other Strategies and Agenda's 54 5. European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 63 FLAG Area 63 Onshore Infrastructure 66 Overall Outer Hebrides EMFF 2014-2020 Programme Objectives 67 FLAG Composition and Membership 67 FLAG Networking and Co-operation 69 6. Turning Objectives into Practical Actions 70 Implementing the Strategy 70 Action Plan for Implementation 70 Youth LAG 711 Collaboration With Third Parties and Networking 722 Using Different Funds with LEADER 72 How Will Activities be Funded and Where are the Gaps? 755 Specific Objectives For Action 768 7. Appendix 80 Outer Hebrides Datazones Population List and Maps 2 SUSTAINING SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES The LEADER and EMFF 2014-2020 Programme will support and enable the Outer Hebrides to take action and ownership over the sustainable development of their communities Picture Credits – Front Page: Vatersay, East and West Beaches - courtesy of Duncan MacKinnon for EU Rural Images Above: LEADER 2007-2013 funded Loch Stiapabhat Nature Observatory, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsain - courtesy of LEADER Innse Gall LAG LEADER 2007-2013 funded Horgabost Beach Pontoon - courtesy of West Harris Trust 3 Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF 2014-2020 Local Development Strategy Introduction LEADER - Liaison Entre Actions de Dèveloppment Èconomique Rurale or Links between Activities Developing Rural Communities. LEADER is a European Union funded Community Development Programme which focuses on delivering a bottom-up method for supporting rural development. Support is primarily aimed at small-scale, community-driven projects that are pilot and innovative in nature. Vitally the benefits and participation of the local community in the project is fundamental to the LEADER ethos of networking, co-operation, transferring knowledge and integrating activities and actions through enabling the delivery of actions within local development strategies which are developed for and by the local communities. The Outer Hebrides LEADER 2014-2020 Programme will not only support communities to provide them with the tools to develop innovative projects but also enable Small Rural Businesses to embed and flourish whilst also enabling new opportunities to be created through aiding sustainable Crofting and Farm diversification projects. Social and economic actions will be proactively developed to support innovative community-led local development within the rural economy of the Outer Hebrides. EMFF– European Maritime and Fisheries Fund provides support for the sustainable development of fisheries areas The European Maritime Fisheries Fund provides support for the sustainable development of fisheries and coastal areas, which includes the Outer Hebrides. It aims to increase the capacity of local fishing communities and business networks to build knowledge and skills, and to encourage innovation and co-operation in order to tackle local fisheries development needs and objectives. LEADER is located within Axis 4 of the European Unions (EU) Common Agricultural Policy and the EMFF also has support directed towards Axis 4, which focuses on the development of sustainable communities. Therefore the integration of these funds ensures that a holistic and partnership approach is delivered to rural and coastal communities throughout the Outer Hebrides. Funding, for both LEADER and EMFF, is awarded by area based Local Action Groups (LAGs) who take decisions on projects that assist in increasing the capacity of the local rural community and business networks. These are known either as LEADER LAGs or Fisheries LAGs (or FLAGs). Membership of LAGs comprise of partners from the public, private and 4 Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF 2014-2020 Local Development Strategy voluntary sectors ensuring of cross-sectoral representation of the identified objectives and target groups on the partnership. The Outer Hebrides LEADER and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020 Local Development Strategy is an essential part of the process of securing funding for the Outer Hebrides from the EU through the Scottish Government by putting forward a strong proposition for a focused approach across the area. The Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF programme has been developed to identify key areas where support for community-led economic development can help to achieve local strategic objectives. Several distinct elements are important in justifying the themes and objectives put forward in this strategy and these include ensuring evidence of need in the local economy is clear, alignment with other strategic objectives and that there is added value being provided through a community-led approach. This strategy was developed along a number of principles including being clear, logical, feasible, realistic and inclusive. It has a consistent and common thread of building a sustainable economy via community led development running through it and is developed from analysis of the current situation, consultation and learning from previous LEADER experiences. There has been significant engagement with stakeholder organisations and individuals across the Outer Hebrides. Local meetings, workshops, public meetings, online consultations, surveys and telephone interviews have been used along with desk research to develop a focused strategic approach. Strategic interventions will be guided by the priority outcomes that have been identified and through this document the Local Action Group are able to demonstrate that the objectives can be achieved by practical actions. These arise from analysis of the needs and opportunities identified at community engagement workshops held throughout the islands; and are guided by the opportunities and needs identified in the research undertaken that accompanied the community consultations. Across Scotland, the LEADER approach during the next programming period (2014 to 2020) will aim to: Strengthen the role of the Local Development Strategy (LDS) Be more flexible, innovative and responsive to local needs. Provide greater transparency of what the funds do and clarity about the respective roles of the parties and fora involved. Focus on animation and capacity building in local development actions and decision making. Strengthen non-public sector participation in delivery of funds. 5 Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF 2014-2020 Local Development Strategy Strengthen networking, cooperation, knowledge transfer and exchange at all levels in the delivery chain and within and between areas. The Scottish Government expects the Local Development Strategies to be aligned to the 6 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) priorities, in particular ‘Promoting social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas’. The identified objectives for the Outer Hebrides LEADER 2014-2020 Local Development Strategy are: Promoting Renewable Energy and Efficiency Supporting and Developing Rural Services and Facilities Developing and Aiding new Tourism Initiatives – focusing on Natural, Archaeological, Creative, Cultural and Gaelic heritage Sustaining new SME and Community Enterprise Developing Crofting Related Ideas and Encouraging Diversification Supporting Community Fisheries and Marine initiatives Networking with LAGs in Scotland, UK and Europe. Furthermore the specific objectives of the Outer Hebrides EMFF 2014-2020 Programme are: Increase fisheries area employment and competitiveness by promoting fisheries sustainability and diversification of fishing effort Develop alternative fisheries area employment through business diversification Promote and market demand for local fisheries products Increase onshore added value activity utilising locally caught product Improve networking, training and development of best practice Increase younger industry participant career progression and succession 6 Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF 2014-2020 Local Development Strategy 1. Outer Hebrides Local Action Group Area Background Figure 1 LEADER Innse Gall LAG area The Outer Hebrides LEADER programme covers the entire Local Authority area. The main islands are Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra. The islands measure approximately 130 miles from the Butt of Lewis in the north, to the south of Barra and Vatersay. The Outer Hebrides is one of the most sparsely populated areas in Scotland, with nine people per square kilometre compared with the Scottish average of 68. Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, is the largest and most populous settlement in the island chain though there are no ‘urban’ areas within the Outer Hebrides with a population of over 10,000. 7 Outer Hebrides LEADER and EMFF 2014-2020 Local Development Strategy