Bòrd na Gàidhlig has awarded almost £600,000 to 50 Gaelic projects as part of the Gaelic Language Act Implementation Fund (GLAIF).
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is one of a number of Western Isles organisations set to benefit from funding for a range of projects, including an award of £20,000 to offer Gaelic classes to its apprentices.
The Comhairle has also received £2,300 to support eSgoil deliver an online programme of activities for children to enhance their Gaelic language skills, and a further £11,250 to provide an opportunity for up to 15 Gaelic-speaking students to undertake a summer placement in a job using Gaelic.
Among the other groups which have received funding are Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, who have received funding for four separate projects including a pilot, in partnership with schools in the Highlands and Western Isles, where pupils will interview different generations to preserve heritage in partnership with Tobar an Dualchais.
Highlands and Islands Airport Limited has also been awarded funds to develop and deliver a vocabulary resource for customer-facing staff.
Perth & Kinross Council’s work in developing the Gaelic language has been recognised with awards for three projects over the next year. It will deliver outdoor events and learning sessions as part of Our Gaelic Landscape, deliver music workshops in schools and communities in the lead up to the Royal National Mòd in 2022 through ‘Aig a’ Mh`oid’, and continue to deliver adult learning sessions in the area thanks to funding from the Bòrd.
Elsewhere, Glasgow City Council will benefit from £25,000, which will go towards the hiring of a GME Family Learning Officer. The officer will specifically support parents of children in the early stages of GME across the council’s remit.
City of Edinburgh Council will also hire an Early Years GME Development Officer following a £32,000 award as part of the GLAIF funding.
A full overview of projects that received funding can be found via the GrantNav website here.
Further projects that applied through GLAIF will also be supported as the year progresses.
Mairi MacInnes, Chair at Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said: “Bòrd na Gàidhlig continues to provide the platform to help drive the development of Gaelic, not just in the Highlands and Islands, but throughout Scotland. Awards to the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth & Kinross councils show our commitment to growing Gaelic the length and breadth of the country and are vital to bringing the language to a new audience.
“The purpose of GLAIF is to aid public bodies deliver on their Gaelic Language Plans. Bòrd na Gàidhlig is proud to play its part on ensuring that these commitments are met as it continues to support the development and implementation of countless innovative and exciting projects.
“This form of funding plays a major role in ensuring that the language’s rich history is preserved and built upon in order to bring it to the future generations.”
Bòrd na Gàidhlig runs funding schemes at different times through the year. If you have a proposal for a project please email: tabhartas@gaidhlig.scot, or phone 01463 225 454.
PARTNER QUOTES
Denise Sutherland, Head of Communications at Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, said: “We are delighted to have secured the funding from Bòrd na Gàidhlig for our next project, which aims to include Gaelic in order to enhance our customer experience. The vocabulary training will support our colleagues who want to learn and use Gaelic. This welcome contribution comes as our second edition Gaelic Language Plan has been approved and will help our ongoing work to develop our Gaelic offering.”
William Macdonald, Eilean Siar’s Director of Education, Skills and Children’s Services, said: “The annual GLAIF fund continues to provide important support for a range of projects and initiatives which develop the use and learning of Gaelic across the Islands, including the continued expansion of tailored Gaelic learning opportunities for Comhairle staff, and the implementation of other key action areas in our Gaelic Language Plan.”
Fiona Robertson, Perth & Kinross Council’s Head of Culture and Communities Services said: “It is great that our work in developing the Gaelic language has been recognised in this way. We are keen to build on what we have already achieved locally as we head towards welcoming the Mòd in 2022 and enable more people in Perth and Kinross to learn Gaelic and increase their understanding of its role and impact on our cultural environment.”
Councillor Chris Cunningham, Glasgow City Convener for Education, Skills and Early Years said: “Gaelic medium education continues to thrive in the city and we are proud that for more than 22 years GME has been an option for our families. Outside of the Highlands and Islands, Glasgow has the largest provision and it is a result of this success that we recently confirmed the fourth Gaelic primary school – work will begin in the near future in the former St James’ Primary school in the north east of the city. The announcement of additional funding through the GLAIF application process is very welcome and I know that the new family learning officer will enhance and develop supports to families across the city.”
Councillor Alison Dickie, Gaelic Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s great that Bòrd na Gàidhlig have given us this funding boost as we strongly believe encouraging Gaelic at the earliest stages of education is the engine room of GME expansion in Edinburgh. This, within our vision, powers the future growth of learning and use of Gaelic language needed to heighten its profile and extend engagement into new, intergenerational communities. With its focus on early engagement with families, this post will be key to our plans for expanding GME and for securing a sustainable future for Gaelic language and culture in Edinburgh.”
Funding Recipients –
An Lanntair (Western Isles)
Crofting Commission
Lews Castle College
Dundee City Council
Edinburgh City Council
Glasgow City Council
Argyll and Bute Council
Fife Council
The Highland Council
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Perth & Kinross Council
West Dunbartonshire Council
e-Sgoil (Western Isles)
Education Scotland
Glasgow Life
Highlands & Islands Airports Limited
Highlands & Islands Students’ Association
Western Isles Library
Skills Development Scotland
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
NatureScot
University of Glasgow
University of the Highlands & Islands
University of Aberdeen
Police Scotland
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig
