Proposals for Orkney Council to set up a £20,000 fund to support organisations on the islands collaborating with Arctic and Nordic countries have got the thumbs-up from councillors.
The fund would support Orkney-based organisations in working with the Nordic Atlantic Cooperation (NORA).
Proposals for the fund come off the back of Orkney being represented at the Arctic Assembly last month.
A commitment was also made in June for the council to support Orkney’s relations with Arctic and Nordic countries.
The fund would support projects between this year and 2024, although with some scope for support them beyond that as well.
Applicants could receive a maximum of £5,000 via the fund.
After the proposals were presented to councillors, at a meeting of the policy and resources committee this morning, Lindsay Hall had one question: Why not more?
He said, given the implications that could come from this, it was “a very modest ask.”
One of the options looked at to source the cash is ring-fencing some of the Crown Estate Fund.
Orkney organisations supported to take part in NORA-led projects
With this in mind, Mr Hall wondered if there was interest from bodies, like the Crown Estate, to provide more funding.
He was told there could indeed be interest.
However, the £20,000 sum was suggested as the council finds itself in the cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Manson stated his “excitement” while looking at links to Orkney’s north being developed.
As such he also felt “well-disposed” toward the proposal of the fund.
He asked how the fund would actually work and what it would be spent on
Inga Burton, programme manager for the islands deal, replied.
She said: “The projects will be led by the NORA counties. So, those projects would be identified by them
“They would then be looking for projects and organisations to become involved.”
She said there is “strong interest” in working with Orkney organisations from NORA partners.
She gave examples of projects such as community-based projects, energy, transport, culture, and tourism.
The engagement would be expected to be “basic”, allowing partnerships to develop.
The projects could include inviting people to Orkney to participate in things going on in the county.