Community-led organisations from across Scotland are invited to apply to the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund (CCF) for funding to run local projects that tackle climate change.

As well as including further information in the email text below, I’m also pleased to attach a leaflet that includes case studies.

About the Climate Challenge Fund

To date, the CCF has awarded grants totalling £85.8 million – supporting a range of successful projects, including:

• energy efficiency improvements to community-owned buildings
• home energy efficiency advice
• lower carbon travel options
• community growing initiatives
• schemes that help reduce waste and move Scotland further towards a more circular economy

CCF grants of up to £150,000 per organisation, per year, are available for projects taking place between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2020*. The deadline to submit an Expression of Interest, the first stage of the application process for a CCF Grant, is 17:00 on 28 August 2017.

CCF Development Grants of up to £1,500 are available until further notice to help community-led organisations identify and scope out potential climate action projects – with the aim of enabling the organisation to apply for a CCF grant or to another funder. Applications for Development Grants are invited monthly.

Apply Now

Keep Scotland Beautiful manages the CCF on behalf of the Scottish Government and has staff that support applicants and those awarded grants.

Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the CCF website to find out if their organisation and project idea is eligible for funding.

Keep Scotland Beautiful advise all potential applicants to submit an Expression of Interest as soon as possible, (deadline is 17:00 on 28 August 2017), to allow as much time as possible to develop their application.

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf

*Funding available in 2018/19 will also include a contribution from the European Regional Development Fund. For 2018-2019 some CCF Grant Recipients (with projects involving waste and circular economy activities, or installation of energy efficient measures in community-owned buildings) will be match funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The ERDF comes from the European Structural and Investment Fund.

With best wishes

Tim

Tim Mullens Marketing and Community Action Support Programme Officer Keep Scotland Beautiful – Climate Challenge Fund
t: 01786 468245 m: 07808 039980 e: [email protected] w: www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/ccf

The sun shone over Muckhart Play Park on Saturday for The Great Muckhart Get Together held in memory of Jo Cox, the MP who was murdered a year ago, and the village came out in force to support the local effort.  Muckhart was decorated with bunting, and there were scarecrows peeping out of gardens and over walls to help with the festive air.  The Get Together started with a fancy dress parade through the village, led by Andrew Ferguson a pupil at Dollar Academy, playing the bagpipes and Dave Chapman in a vintage 1958 MGA.  Inside the Park tents and a marquee had been erected round a central sports arena, where there were games, races and entertainments for everybody, as well as refreshments including strawberries, cream and delicious elder-flower cordial.  Tombola, clay modelling, raffles and a lucky dip all proved popular.

Prizes for the Fancy Dress competition were presented by Mrs Betty Watson.  Prizes for the scarecrow competition were presented by Mrs Daphne Tullis.

Grateful thanks are due to all our sponsors, and everyone who donated prizes, time and effort which helped to make the day such an enormous success.    Any profits from the day will be divided between Muckhart Village Hall and Muckhart School.

Pictures thanks to Teresa Geissler

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Pictures thanks to Jan Van Der Merwe

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Mark your calendars for what’s sure to be a great day out in true Muckhart style.

Wonga has confirmed a data breach where up to 250,000 accounts have been compromised. The incident is now being investigated by the police and has been reported to the Financial Conduct Authority.

Wonga has updated their website with further information and confirmed that they are contacting all those affected and are taking steps to protect them, but there are also some things you can do to keep your information secure.

Here’s what you can do to make yourself safer:

If any of your financial details were compromised, notify your bank or card company as soon as possible. Review your financial statements regularly for any unusual activity.
Criminals can use personal data obtained from a data breach to commit identity fraud. Consider using credit reference agencies, such as Experian or Equifax, to regularly monitor your credit file for unusual activity.
Be suspicious of any unsolicited calls, emails or texts, even if it appears to be from a company you know of. Don’t open the attachments or click on links within unsolicited emails, and never disclose any personal or financial details during a cold call.
If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, please report it to us: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud

This website is currently being updated with new content and updates.

Muckhart is a thriving community of around 150 households, a pub, coffee shop and golf course.  We also have our own Primary School (much in demand) and a number of active local interest groups.

Have a look around the website for details of what’s happening.