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Sustainable Development

The vision for the Programme states that it:

“should contribute to a wider, longer-term strategy for the socio-economic and environmental development of the region.”

In the ‘Downloads’ section of the site you’ll find a variety of material which shows how HIPP is striving to make this vision a reality.  There is a set of Frequently Asked Questions in relation to sustainable development and Structural Funds.  These are designed to strip away the jargon of sustainable development and provide practical answers to common concerns.

There is also HIPP’s Sustainable Development Guidance Note which explains how you can incorporate sustainable development into your project in practical ways. 

In the Sources of Further Information section of this site, there is a list of contacts for organisations which can offer specialist advice and assistance regarding aspects of sustainable development.

You can access an electronic copy of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage’s joint report Linking Sustainable Development to Regional Development.  It shows how Scottish Structural Funds Programmes have integrated sustainable development into their design and delivery and provides examples of good practice in this regard.  Similarly, you can also download the East of Scotland European Partnership’s report titled Mainstreaming Sustainable Development: Review of the ESEP Approach and Guidance for Applicants.   

Although support from current Structural Funds is due to finish in 2006, it is likely that the Highlands and Islands will continue to benefit from such funding after this time.  In helping to prepare for future funding, policy advice has been issued by the European Regional Policy Group, consisting of the UK’s statutory environmental and countryside agencies.  This advice can be accessed on this site.