From Detroit to the Highlands: Community comes together in pilot Nairn Soup event
From Detroit to Nairn, a new event format which aims to support local initiatives has been piloted in the town centre last week.
Taking inspiration from the Detroit Soup - a crowd-funding initiative which took over after the crisis that invested the city ten years ago - and similar events held in Caithness, Nairn Soup saw three charities talk to the audience to pitch their initiative in a bid to win a £500 grant.
The event, held at the Highland Weigh’s monthly Climate Cafe and organised in partnership with Green Hive and Highlands & Islands Climate Hub, is a format that is hoped to be exported to other communities in the Highlands.
Whilst participants - who were asked for a contribution of £5 towards the event - enjoyed a hot soup in front of the fire community organisations included Nairn Men's Shed, Nairn Food Nest and Highland Cycling Ability Centre.
Local development officer for the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub, Fiona Keir, said the event was a great success.
“The community in attendance was really engaged, with lots of questions for all the organisations and probing their project readiness, pricing and also capabilities to undertake the projects requesting funding,” she said.
“After the three short presentations, everyone voted for the project they wished to support. It came down to one vote in the end with the winner on the night being Nairn Food Nest.
“However, the real winner was community collaboration, sharing and support for all the projects. A real 'feel good' event for all involved!”
Ms Keir concluded: “A big thank you to The Highland Weigh for hosting the event and facilitating Climate Cafe's every month.
“The Nairn Food Nest will receive £500 from Highlands & Islands Climate Hub and have been asked to return to the Climate Cafe to report back on their project progress when we will hold our next round of Nairn Soup and hopefully award another round of funding to a community project to take climate action.“
The next Climate Cafe will be on Thursday, November 28 from 7pm to 9pm at the Highland Weigh.
