A Dingwall scientist has won Scottish Government funding for a community scheme to use “waste energy” from renewables projects.
Part-time science teacher Graeme Mochrie recieved £2,700 to launch his Biobattery social enterprise from the Scottish Entrepreneurs Fund.
The fund offers financial support to individuals who want to start businesses that benefit their communities.
Mr Mochrie’s grant is one of 15 announced by the Firstport organisation, which runs the scheme on behalf of the government, with projects ranging from an amateur boxing club to a nutrition advice service benefiting.
Firstport said the Biobattery project could provide an “extremely efficient source of clean power” with “huge” potential benefits for the environment.
The organisation said a further £140,000 was being provided by the Scottish Government, which would be used to help launch around 20 more projects.
The additional funding was announced as part of the recently published 10-year Social Enterprise Strategy.
Firstport chief executive, Karen McGregor, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government understands and supports the vital role that social enterprises play in building a strong and fair Scotland.
“People starting social enterprises in Scotland are creating opportunities for themselves, those around them and some of the most marginalised groups in society, many of them often overlooked by traditional businesses.
“It is always great to see that the money we award has a real ripple effect across local communities.”
Since 2009, the fund has helped more than 800 people get their ideas off the ground and distributed around £4.5 million.
