HIEF end-of-year Update

This year, we have channelled funding into 14 projects across the Highlands and Islands, ranging from Temperate Rainforest regeneration to community-led Biodiversity mapping. Aside from grant giving, other highlights have included:

• Continued partnership with the Conservation Collective, sharing knowledge and best practice with the other 19 member foundations. At the Collectives Awards in London, we were delighted to receive the  “Best Grant: Protecting Native Species” award for funding Native Oyster restoration work in Loch Broom and a ‘Highly Commended’ for the “Impact” award for our Mapping & Modelling of Sea Lice grants.
• Our first ever Crowdfunding Campaign with Bute Community Forest, whereby £10,000 of HIEF funding leveraged an additional £20,000 from Aviva Community Fund and ‘the crowd’ – enabling the continued employment of the Bute Community Forest Ranger.
• Delivering a week-long Press Tour with seven journalists, showcasing inspiring community-led projects to raise awareness of their work, and the impact of our funding.

Grant updates

Over the autumn, several funded projects have been completed and case studies are available to view on our website:

• COAST Youth Action Plan
• CAOLAS Morvern Biodiversity Baseline Survey
• The GRAB Trust Beaches and Marine Litter Project

It has been a pleasure to work with these brilliant charities – congratulations on all you have achieved and best of luck going forwards!

Finally, a HUGE thank you to all our donors, grantees, partners, collaborators and followers for all your support this year.  We have seen some amazing successes this year but these have only been possible because of the support you have given us.

If you are inspired to help support more projects like those featured in this newsletter and on our website, please visit our page here.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the very best for the New Year.

Best wishes,
Louis & Sally