A new first-of-its-kind role aimed at bridging the gap between communities, landowners, and nature finance in the Cairngorms has been announced.

The Scottish Land Commission (SLC), in partnership with the Cairngorms National Park Authority, is now accepting applications for the brand-new Communities & Green Finance Project Lead.

The exciting new role will see the successful applicant help to drive collaborations for fair land use change and nature restoration in the Cairngorms by maximising community benefits and wealth building through nature restoration projects.

The new role comes as part of Cairngorms 2030, a programme supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund that will inspire people and communities in the National Park to take action and tackle the nature and climate crisis.

The programme brings together more than 70 partner organisations in 20 long-term projects on nature restoration, active travel and sustainable transport, community development and health and wellbeing.

Emma Cooper (pictured above), Head of Land Rights and Responsibilities said: “This new position will be instrumental in driving innovative, collaborative approaches, and delivering community benefits from nature restoration schemes across the Cairngorms National Park.

Through building partnerships and learning from real-life examples, the role will help to boost community wealth and ensure land use change meets community needs, enabling them to thrive.”

She added: “This is a chance to make a practical difference on the ground and also help the Commission shape the way community benefits from land are delivered nationally. This is a perfect opportunity for someone eager to spark real change, guiding both communities and landowners to maximise the benefits of land use change.”

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the chosen candidate will join the SLC, collaborating closely with the Park’s Cairngorms 2030 team and will report to the Head of Land Rights and Responsibility at the Commission.

The chosen candidate will be instrumental in working with Cairngorms’ landowners to secure agreements that benefit the wider community, identify nature-based funding opportunities, and promote natural capital investment for community enrichment.

They will encourage inclusive land management practices and create fair frameworks for sharing the gains from nature restoration.

Further responsibilities include helping to improve cooperation among local communities, landowners, and nature finance institutions, to help drive community benefits and economic growth.

The post holder will also provide support in using nature finance for ecological and economic goals, as well as playing a key part in shaping national policies to ensure communities benefit from nature finance.

David Clyne, Head of Cairngorms 2030, from the Cairngorms National Park Authority said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Scottish Land Commission on this project. This is a key project within the programme which will lead the way in developing models for meaningful community wealth building from green investments.

It is through this work that we can show how an equitable and just transition can be made for the mitigation and adaptation for climate change.”

SLC seeks to support the development of good practice through guidance, resources, training, and casework, as well as the facilitation of discussion to aid joined-up thinking and mutual understanding on land issues.

The commission provides advice and recommendations for reforms to law and policy as well as leadership for change in culture and practice, working to create a Scotland where everybody can benefit from the ownership and use of the nation’s land and buildings.