Page 22 - C.A.L.L. #22 - Fall 2003

The Findhorn Foundation recently received considerable press coverage in Scotland following the
release of a report which showed how valuable the Foundation is to the local economy. Apart from
an article in the “Northern Scot”, Richard was also interviewed by Moray Firth Radio and featured
on the morning news. There was also a live interview by BBC Radio Scotland and a longer feature
later in the day.

We reprint an article from The Press and Journal (“The Voice of the North”) - a Highland newspaper.

New report highlights £3m value of Findhorn Foundation
By Robert Leslie

The Findhorn Foundation helps to generate He added: “The report clearly demonstrates that
almost £3million in local household incomes the Findhorn Foundation is an important player
and supports about 300 jobs in the Forres in the Moray economy.
and Findhorn area, according to a study “As well as bringing a great many people to
commissioned by Moray Badenoch and the area for conferences and courses, the
Strathspey Enterprise. activities of the foundation help to maintain a
On a wider basis, the Moray-based charity diverse range of skills in the area’s population
helps to generate over £5million and support and make major contributions to the main
over 400 jobs in the Highlands and Islands learning centres.
economy. “This report will help us to develop strategies
The study was carried out to determine the and make decisions about Moray’s economic
economic impact the foundation has locally, as development in the future. We will be looking
well as to investigate its future business closely at the various recommendations made
potential, and areas of work and expertise that in the report by the consultants with a view to
could benefit communities throughout the North seeing which ones we can pick up in the short
of Scotland. to medium term.
The study was carried out on behalf of MBSE “We will also be making the report available to
by Brian Burns Associates in association with partner organizations such as the Moray
economist, Steve Westbrook. In addition, Council. So they too can make use of the
Findhorn Foundation staff gave their full co- information.”
operation to the study. Geoffrey Colwill, finance director of the
The consultants’ findings highlight the role of the Findhorn Foundation added: “As the foundation
st
foundation in helping to generate and support community enters its 41 year, we appreciate
new business start-ups and expansions in the support of MBSE in providing an external,
Moray, and in helping to broaden the area’s objective assessment of the financial and other
skills base. contributions that the foundation makes to the
Additionally, the report highlighted several social, local community.
educational, cultural and environmental impacts. “Although our status worldwide is high, as
These include attracting residents to the area, demonstrated by our status as an NGO
helping to sustain services and community life in associated with the department of public
Findhorn and Forres, and helping to diversify information of the United Nations, our local
educational provision in Moray by supporting standing and relationships have often provided
the Moray Steiner School. some of our greatest challenges.
The foundation is also active in implementing “This report is a further step in improving our
sustainable development policies and practices, local connections and identifying areas of
while the Universal Hall at Findhorn provides a mutual benefit where we can work more
local venue for a range of cultural events. closely together with individuals and
The report makes a number of organizations in the area.”
recommendations, such as awareness-raising of He said that the foundation’s recent financial
the foundation’s activities and development of turnaround should enable it to ensure the long-
tourism links, and identifies the potential in term presence of a thriving community, making
relation to issues such as renewable energy. its contribution to the local region on many
MBSE chief executive Douglas Yule said the levels.
findings of the study were important in
th
planning ahead for the area’s economic and Tuesday 11 March 2003
social development.

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