Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund - Exciting Opportunity For Storytellers

9th February 2025

Young Gaelic speakers with a passion for digital storytelling are invited to register their interest for the chance of receiving one of five grants of £5,000, designed to bring their innovative ideas to life.

The Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund is being launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to develop creative approaches that bring authentic Gaelic stories to life on digital platforms.

It aims to encourage Gaelic speaking content creators under the age of 35, with a Highlands and Islands address, to explore how digital tools can amplify audience engagement, promote commercial partnership and create fresh opportunities to share and celebrate rich Gaelic heritage.

Applications open on 18 February and close on 10 March, however, people interested are urged to register their interest now at
Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund

The challenge fund also aims to meet the growing demand for Gaelic content, delivering it in ways that align with the evolving digital landscape and new consumer expectations at regional, national and international levels.

Iain Hamilton, head of creative industries at HIE, said: "The Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund opens incredible opportunities for young Gaelic speakers to bring their rich cultural heritage to life in innovative ways. It offers the resources and support to bring a vision to life.

"By using digital platforms, we can reach new audiences and ensure that Gaelic storytelling continues to thrive in the modern world. This initiative not only supports creative expressions but also encourages commercial partnerships and new avenues for sharing unique stories globally."

"Through a ‘direct to consumer' model, young Gaelic content creators can maintain the authenticity of their cultural expressions while allowing them to have direct engagement with the audience. Young Gaelic content creators play a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage and will breathe new life into our traditions, ensuring they resonate for future generations."

Deputy First Minister and Gaelic Secretary Kate Forbes said:

"We are working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to foster the skills and talents of aspiring young Gaelic content creators.

"This initiative will enable Gaelic speakers to reach new audiences, supporting the language's growth and attracting international interest.

"To grow the language, we have allocated an extra £5.7m for Gaelic in the draft Budget for 2025-26. We are also progressing the Scottish Languages Bill to strengthen the provision of Gaelic education."

The programme includes a short series of free webinars to support applicants in refining their ideas and exploring the potential of digital platforms.

Tuesday 18 February: Mastering Digital Storytelling and Audience Engagement with Tricia O'Malley

Thursday 27 February:
Creating Visually Compelling Documentaries and Managing Commercial Partnerships

These webinars will be in English and are open to everyone. Participation in highly recommended for those applying or planning to apply to the Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund, as they will also offer important guidance and context around the ambitions for the fund.

Maoin Dùbhlain Dhidseatach Gàidhlig / Gaelic Digital Challenge Fund
Tha a' Mhaoin Dùbhlain Dhidseatach a’ tabhann cothrom brosnachail air pròiseactan seanchais ann an Gàidhlig a leasachadh, a tha a’ cleachdadh comas nan àrd-ùrlaran didseatach airson com-pàirt luchd-èisteachd ann an dòighean ùra agus ùr-ghnàthach a bhrosnachadh. Le còig thabhartasan de £5,000 rim faotainn, do luchd-labhairt fileanta na Gàidhlig a tha 35 bliadhna dh’ aois agus nas òige, tha a’ mhaoin air a dealbhadh airson taic a thoirt do mhodhan-obrach cruthachail a tha a’ toirt beò sgeulachdan, a’ dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil am beartas cultarach agus an tùs aca a’ dèanamh ceangal ri luchd-èisteachd didseatach co-aimsireil.

Tha an iomairt seo ag amas air slighean ùra fhoillseachadh airson seanchas ann an Gàidhlig, a’ brosnachadh chruthaichearan susbaint gu rannsachadh a dhèanamh air mar as urrainn do dh’innealan didseatach com-pàirt luchd-èisteachd àrdachadh, com-pàirteachasan coimearsalta fhàs agus dualchas saidhbhir na Gàidhlig a chomharrachadh. Tha e cuideachd ag amas air an t-iarrtas airson susbaint Ghàidhlig a tha a’ sìor-fhàs a choileanadh, ga lìbhrigeadh ann an dòighean a tha a’ co-thaobhadh leis a’ chruth-tìre dhidseatach a tha a’ fàs mean air mhean agus le dòchasan luchd-cleachdaidh ùr aig ìre roinneil, nàiseanta agus eadar-nàiseanta.

MU DHÈIDHINN A’ PHRÒGRAM
Ma tha thu dìoghrasach mu dheidhinn fìorachd seanchais ann an Gàidhlig a ghlèidheadh, agus gabhail ri dòighean ùra agus ùr-ghnàthach air na sgeulachdan sin a roinn tro àrd-ùrlaran didseatach, tha a’ mhaoin seo a’ tabhann nan goireasan agus an taic airson do lèirsinn a thoirt beò.

Tha am prògram a’ gabhail a-steach sreath ghoirid de sheiseanan oideachaidh air-loidhne gus taic a thoirt do thagraichean le am beachdan a ghleusadh agus comas nan àrd-ùrlaran didseatach a rannsachadh. Bidh na labhairtean-lìn ann am Beurla agus fosgailte don h-uile duine. Tha com-pàirt sna bùithtean-obrach taic ga àrd-mholadh dhaibhsan a tha a’ tagradh no a’ planadh air tagradh, oir bidh iad cuideachd a’ tabhann stiùireadh cudromach agus co-theacsa mu thimcheall nan amasan don mhaoin.

Bidh na seiseanan sin a’ còmhdach:

Mar a tha àrd-ùrlaran didseatach a’ cruth-atharrachadh na dòigh sa bheil sgeulachdan air an roinn ’s air an ùisneachadh.
Ro-innleachdan cruthachail airson seanchas Gàidhlig ùghdarrail a thaisbeanadh gus ceangal ri luchd-èisteachd ùr agus eadar-mheasgte.
Cothroman airson co-obrachaidhean is com-pàirteachasan coimearsalta a thogail gus ruigsinneachd agus buaidh a leudachadh.
Mar as urrainn do sheanchas ann an Gàidhlig soirbheachadh taobh a-staigh suidheachadh didseatach fiùghantach a tha a’ sìor-fhas.
CÒ A THA IOMCHAIDH?
Tha a’ mhaoin fosgailte do luchd-labhairt a tha fileanta sa Ghàidhlig, as urrainn susbaint fìor mhath sa chànan a chruthachadh, a tha fo 35 bliadhna a dh’aois, agus aig a bheil seòladh dachaigh sa Ghàidhealtachd ’s na h-Eileanan.

Feumaidh tagraichean cumail ri cumhaichean obrach HIE airson taic. Ma tha thu airson bruidhinn ri cuideigin mu dheidhinn riatanas Obair Chothromach no ma tha feum agad air tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, cuir postd gu enquiries@hient.co.uk.

PRÒISEAS TAGRAIDH:
Bidh tagraidhean a’ fosgladh Dimàirt 18 Gearran agus a’ dùnadh aig 5f Diluain 10 Màrt.