Sir,
We write to highlight a further worrying example of unnecessary centralisation which has been enacted by the powers that be over the last four years. We believe these recent changes will be harmful to the sustainability of many community organisations locally.
Ùrachadh Uibhist is a North Uist charity which has provided a summer series of cultural events with Gaelic language and culture as a central theme over the last 12 years, with support from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and from Comunn na Gàidhlig in the Sgeama Greis Gniomhachais nan Oileanach scheme. Our programme of events has been much appreciated both by visitors to the islands and by the local community.
The support of CnaG was particularly appreciated because it was used to provide a placement for one Gaelic student each year, supporting employment costs over 10 weeks in the summer. These projects allowed many students throughout the Western Isles to spend the summer promoting Gaelic. CnaG officers based in Stornoway were the administrators of the scheme locally.
Changes introduced this year have led to the following restrictions: the administration
of the scheme was withdrawn from CnaG and given to HIE, based in Inverness. In addition,
only organisations which are already account-
We believe that these changes, to what was a highly successful scheme, are misguided and to be deplored. Was any thought was given to these changes by the agencies or government that enacted them? How many other community organisations in the Western Isles have been affected?
Ada Campbell
Urachadh Uibhist,
Claddach Kirkibost Centre
North Uist
Letter: Local group hit by Gaelic funding changes
15 April 2015