AITHISG BHLIADHNAIL

2015/16ANNUAL REPORT

A’ cruthachadh chothroman dhan Ghàidhlig

A Bhuidheann agus Iomairtean Gàidhlig

Chaidh Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) a steidheachadh ann an 1984 gus leasachadh na Gàidhlig a cho-òrdanachadh. Ag obair aig ìrean ionadail agus nàiseanta, tha Bòrd-Stiùiridh againn le farsaingeachd de eòlas, a’ riochdachadh coimhearsnachd na Gàidhlig san fharsaingeachd.

‘S e Iomairt Shòisealta a th’ ann an CnaG le structar laghail mar chompanaidh earranta, is le inbhe charthannais. Tha uallach gnìomh agus coileanadh poileasaidh bho là gu là an urra ris a’ Cheannard, Dòmhnall MacNèill a tha cuideachd na Rùnaire air a’ Chompanaidh.

GNÌOMHSa bhliadhna-sa, mar anns na dhà na trì a dh’fhalbh, thàinig a’ mhòr-chuid de obair ChnaG fo chùmhnantan le Bòrd na Gàidhlig; an obair a b’àbhaist a bhith ann le Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean, tha sinn air a thighinn gu crìch, is iadsan ag amas air obair leasachaidh a bhuinneas dhan Ghàidhlig a leantainn leis an sgioba aca fhèin.

BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG - PRÌOMH GHNÌOMHAN tuilleadh fiosrachaidh ri leantainn: Tron obair againn ann an coimhearsnachdan air feadh Alba, chum sinn taic ri lìbhrigeadh Plana Nàiseanta na Gàidhlig – le fòcas làidir air obair òigridh is coimhearsnachd.

Tha earran chudromach dhan obair seo a-nis a’leantainn ann an compàirt ri ceithir de na h-ùghdarrasan ionadail ann Alba: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar; Comhairle EarraGhàidheal is Bòid; Comhairle Bhaile Ghlaschu; is Comhairle Bhaile Dhùn Èidinn. Tha seo gar cuideachadh gus oifigearan leasachaidh a’ stèidheachadh ann an cuid de na h-àrd-sgoiltean – nas fhaisge is nas dlùithe ris an òigridh fhèin.

EILE – PRÌOMH GHNÌOMHAN - tuilleadh fiosrachaidh ri leantainn:Bha CnaG an sàs ann an diofar thachartasan ‘s phròiseactan soirbheachail tron bhliadhna mar Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Sgoiltean, Duais Iain Muir; a bhith a’ brosnachadh foghlam tron Ghàidhlig; agus iomairtean eile.

The Organisation andIomairtean Gàidhlig

Comunn na Gàidhlig (CnaG) was established in 1984 to co-ordinate Gaelic language development. Operating at local, regional and national levels, CnaG has a Board of Directors with a wide range of skills and experience, representing the wider Gaelic community.

CnaG is a social enterprise taking the legal form of a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Day to day responsibility and execution of policy rests with the Chief Executive, Donald MacNeill who is also the Company Secretary.

ACTIVITIESThis year, in line with the past two or three years, the majority of CnaGs work was delivered through a contract with Bòrd na Gàidhlig; long-running contracts with Highlands and Islands Enterprise have now stopped, with that organisation choosing to deliver Gaelic related development using their ‘in house’ staff.

BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIG – MAIN ACTIVITIESfurther information below: Through our work in communities across Scotland, we supported the delivery of the National Plan for Gaelic – with a strong focus on youth and community work.

A significant proportion of this work is now undertaken in partnership with four of the local authorities in Scotland: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar; Argyll and Bute Council; Glasgow City Council; and City of Edinburgh Council. This has assisted us to establish development officers in a number of secondary schools – closer to the young people.

OTHER – MAIN ACTIVITIES - further information to follow: CnaG delivered a range of other successful activities and projects through the year such as Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Sgoiltean (the secondary schools debating competition); the John Muir Award programme; : Ri Chèile, Deasbad Nàiseanta BT, John Muir Award; promoting Gaelic Medium Education, and other initiatives.

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Looking back at CnaG’s work over this year, and perhaps in the two or three years prior to this, I think it is appropriate for me to thank our Board of Directors. There is no doubt that every one of us has been living through a particularly challenging period. The economic recession, and the tighter budgets that have followed, have presented us with difficulties – and throughout this period the CnaG Board have been careful and considerate of their duties and responsibilities. In this past year we managed to strengthen our Board once more, recruiting two new Directors. I now believe that we have a breadth of age and experience to take us forward – experiences from a range of different business and community sectors. However, this is a continuous process – people do retire from the Board from time to time, and we are always alert to new opportunities to maintain the Board’s capabilities.

How does this relate to Gaelic development – well, in a very direct fashion. If there was not a robust and appropriate structure at the top of the organisation CnaG would be unable to continue its development work, or to seek new opportunites.

Returning to the issue of finances, although our income has declined due to contracts terminating, the income we have received from Bòrd na Gàidhlig has been sustained at the same level up to this point. We are grateful for this, although we are aware this may not always be the case. But, grateful as we are, when costs are rising, and income remaining static, these are not easy circumstances.

Further, while CnaG tries to maintain its existing activities, it also has a strong desire to drive forward new and exciting projects – and there can be no doubt that tight budgets are an obstacle.

Looking more closely at the position of Gaelic, we do have reasons to be more optimistic. This year we saw preparatory work undertaken at a national level towards a new Education Act for Scotland. It is clear that Gaelic now enjoys a more secure position in policy areas such

Le bhith a’ coimhead air ais air obair ChnaG tron bhliadhna-sa, agus ‘s dòcha na dha na trì bhliadhnachan ron sin, tha mi dhan bheachd gum bheil e iomchaidh dhomh taing a thoirt dhan Bhòrd Stiùiridh againn. Chan eil teagamh ann nach eil sinn uile air a bhith a’ tighinn beò tro àm a th’air a bhith gu math dùbhlannach. Tha an crìonadh eaconomach, is na buidseadan teann a th’air a thighinn na luib, air dubhlain a chur m’ar coinneamh. Air sgath sin tha Bòrd Stiùiridh ChnaG air a bhith cùramach is dìcheallach mun dleastanasan is uallaichean.

Anns a’ bhliadhna seo chaidh againn air a’ Bhòrd Stiùiridh a leudachadh a-rithist, le bhith a’ fastadh dithis ùr. Tha mise a’ faicinn a-nis gum bheil farsuingeachd againn de dh’eòlas is aoisean – feadhainn nas òige ag obair còmhla ri feadhainn nas sinne; feadhainn le eòlas air diofar raointean-obrach. ‘Se pròiseas leantainneach a tha seo ged tha – bithidh feadhainn a’ leigeil seachad an dreuchdan bho àm gu àm, is bithidh sùil againn an còmhnaidh air cothroman ùra gus am Bòrd a chumail aig ìre freagarrach.

Ciamar a tha seo a’ ceangal ri obair leasachaidh na Gàidhlig – uill, tha ann an dòigh gu math dìreach. Mur a bitheadh structar làidir, freagarrach aig ceann a’ bhuidhinn, cha bhitheadh e cho comasach do ChnaG leantainn ris an obair leasachaidh, neo a bhith a’ coimhead ri cothroman ùra.

A’ tilleadh gu ceist an airgid, ged a tha ar maoin air crìonadh ri lìnn cùmhnantan a’ crìochnachadh, tha an taic a tha sinn a’ faighinn bho Bhòrd na Gàidhlig air leantainn aig an aon ìre suas chun seo. Tha sinn taingeil air son sin – le beachd gur dòcha nach mair cùisean mar sin. Ach, taingeil is ged a tha sinn, nuair a tha cosgaisean eile a sìor èirigh, is teachd a-steach

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Chairman's ReportAithisg a’ Chathraicheas this; we expect benefits to flow from this Act, and what it will deliver in terms of an expansion of Gaelic education.

I am also proud that CnaG has had another succesful year delivering its continuing projects. Continuing projects? This is an interesting point, because perhaps we are too ready to be looking for ‘new’ stories to tell… maybe that’s inevitable, but it is worthwhile to pause and consider. Isn’t it welcome that successful projects are continuing? Children in schools grow up and move on; others will replace them, and because of that the development work needs to ‘continue’. At the same time, parents enter the world of Gaelic education, and move through in pace with their children; new parents will follow them and the promotional work needs to ‘continue’ as a result. Our projects have been succesful this year, and last year, and the year before. I fully expect, with appropriate support, that they will be successful next year, and beyond.

Of course, we need to review what we are doing – to be sure that they are still delivering on our objectives, and in line with the overall strategy for Gaelic development – but if they are, then it’s well worth continuing with this work to support and encourage the new Gaels of tomorrow.

Kenneth MaciverChairman

a’ leantainn aig an aon ìre, chan e suidheachadh furasta a tha sin.

Cho math ri bhith a’ feuchainn ris an obair stèidhichte a chumail a’ dol, tha miann aig CnaG a dhol an sàs ann am pròiseactan ùra, adhartach – ach chan eil teagamh sam bith nach eil goinnead maoin na chnap-starradh cocheangailte ris an sin.A’ coimhead nas dlùithe ri cor na Gàidhlig, tha adhbharan againn a bhith misneachail. Anns a’ bhliadhna bha seo chunnaic sinn obair deasachaidh ri dhèanamh aig ìre nàiseanta air Achd Foghlam ùr do dh’Alba. Anns an là a th’ann, tha e follaiseach gum bheil àite nas teàruinte aig a’ chànan ann an suidheachaidhean poileasaidh mar seo, is tha sinn a’ sùileachadh buannachd às an Achd seo, is na bhitheas e a’ ciallachadh a thaobh leudachadh ann am foghlam Gàidhlig. Tha mi moiteil cuideachd gum bheil e air soirbheachadh le CnaG bliadhna eile a thaobh an obair leantainneach. Obair leantainneach? ‘Se ceist a tha sin, oir uaireannan tha sinn dualtach a bhith a’ sireadh rudan ùra ri ìnnse… ‘s dòcha gur e sin cor an t-saoghail, ach ‘s fhiach stad is beachd a ghabhail air sin – nach math dha rìreabh gum bheil obair soirbheachail a’ leantainn? Bithidh clann anns na sgoiltean a’ fàs suas, is a’ gluasad air adhart; thig feadhainn eile nan àite, is feumaidh an obair-leasachaidh “leantainn” ri lìnn sin. Bithidh pàrantan a’ tighinn a-steach gu saoghal foghlam na Gàidhlig aig a’ cheart àm, is a’ gluasad troimhe le’n cuid cloinne; thig pàrantan ùra às an deidh, is feumaidh an obair-brosnachaidh “leantainn” ri lìnn sin. Tha iomairtean againne a th’air a bhith soirbheachail am bliadhna, mar a bha iad an uiridh is a mhean-uiridh. Tha làn dòchas agamsa, le taic freagarrach, gum bith iad soirbheachail an ath-bhliadhna cuideachd, agus às deidh sin cuideachd.

Tha e mar fhiachaibh oirnn a bhith a’ cumail sùil air na cuspairean a tha seo – feuch am bheil iad fhathast a’ coileanadh ar n’amasan, is a’ freagairt air ìnnleachd-leasachaidh na Gàidhlig – agus ma tha, ‘s math a s’fhiach an cumail a’ dol, gus brosnachadh Gàidheal ùra ‘sna laithean a tha romhainn.

Coinneach MacÌomhairCathraiche

Sgoiltean, na Campaichean Sradagan, agus na tursan sgì-idh. Ann an saoghal na Beurla, bithear a’ tomhas gnìomh mar seo a thaobh ‘làithean cloinne’ – aon leanabh, an sàs ann an gnìomh a choreigin airson sia uairean a thìde – ‘se aon là cloinne a tha seo. Uill, tha sinn a’ tomhas gun do lìbhrig sinne còrr math is 2,000 làithean cloinne ann an 2015/16. Sin làithean far an robh an òigridh an sàs ann an tachartasan spòrsail, tarruingeach a choreigin – tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Agus tha na ceithir facail mu dheireadh sin ro-chudromach. ‘S ann ainneamh dha rìreabh a chluinnear a’ Bheurla ga bruidhinn aig tachartas bho stiùir ChnaG. Tha sinn a’ leantainn gu dlùth ri feallsanachd gum bheil feum aig òigridh an latha an diugh air Gàidhlig a’ chluinntinn ann an suidheachadh sòisealta, neo-fhoirmeil, taobh a-muigh seòmar a’ chlas.

An luib an gnìomh a bha seo bha nithean is cleasan ùra. Chaidh sinn an sàs ann an ‘sligheadaireachd’ airson a’ chiad uair, le sgioba ChnaG air fad a’ faighinn treànadh. Tha sin air a bhith gu math soirbheachail, fiùs chun an ìre is gun robh cuid a sgiobaidhean bho sgoiltean anns an t-Eilean Sgiathanach a’ deasachadh airson farpais a chuir sinn air dòigh. Tha sinn air barrachd a dhèanamh a thaobh ‘comas coille’ cuideachd – le seiseanan ionadail air an lìbhrigeadh mar phàirt de phrògram Duais Iain Muir.

Am bliadhna-sa, stèidhichte air ar n’eòlas a bhith a’ lìbhrigeadh prògram òigridh fad bhliadhnachan, chuir sinn romhainn fhèin meanbh-bhus a cheannach a bhitheadh na ghoireas feumail a thaobh na campaichean is na tachartasan againn. Chuir sinn iomairt ‘sluagh-maoineachaidh’ air dòigh airson cuibhreann den chosgaidh a thogail; is rinn sinn tagraidhean gu buidhnean maoineachaidh. Gu mì-fhortanach cha deach leinn leis na rudan sin, ach bha sinn a’ meas an rud cho cudromach is gun do chosg CnaG cuid de stòras fhèin air bus nas sinne a cheannach – is chan eil teagamh nach eil sin air a bhith na ghoireas feumail mu thràth, is dùil gum bith fhathast airson bliadhna na dhà ri thighinn. A thuilleadh air dad sam bith eile, bithidh e tarruing aire dhaoine dhan Ghàidhlig, is e a’ siubhall thall ‘s a bhos air rathaidean na h-Alba.

A’ sruthadh às a h-uile rud a tha seo gu h-àrd: ar eòlas air obair òigridh; an cuideam a tha sinn a’ cuir air tachartasan spòrsail a th’abhann dhaibh; agus am beàrn a tha sinn a’ faicinn anns na tha ri fhaighinn, tha sinn air leantainn

Mar an Cathraiche gu h-àrd, tha mise gu math toilichte gum bheil an cothrom agam a bhith a’ sgrìobhadh an seo mu bhliadhna soirbheachail eile aig Comunn na Gàidhlig, is sinn a’ coimhead air ais air na h-uimhir de ghnìomh a thaobh a’ Ghàidhlig. Bha sgioba slàn againn am bliadhna – a h-uile dreuchd air a lìonadh, is le feadhainn a th’air a bhith anns na dreuchdan sin deagh ghreis. Nam bheachd-sa, ‘se rud math a tha siud, oir mar às fhaide a tha daoine stèidhichte anns na coimhearnsachdan is na sgoiltean far am bheil iad, ‘s ann as fheàrr a tha a’ choimhearsnachd a’ cuir eòlas orra is mothachadh a thaobh an gnìomh; ‘s ann as fheàrr cuideachd a tha an òigridh a’ cuir eòlas is earbsa unnta – is thig gnìomh is misneachd a bharrachd às a sin. Chan e sin a-mhàin, ach tha sinn an sàs ann an obair-misneachaidh – a’ feuchainn ri daoine a bhrosnachadh gus an tuilleadh spèis is luach a chuir anns a’ Ghàidhlig, is an tuilleadh feum a dheànamh dhith. Mar às fhaide a tha oifigearan leasachaidh stèidhichte anns na coimhearsnachdan seo, ‘s ann as motha a bhitheas daoine a’ tuigse gum bheil seasmhachd is leantainneas anns a’ chànan.

Agus abair gum bheil gnìomh a’ leantainn! Le sgioba de dhusan, a’ frithealadh trì deug sgìre iomairt, bhitheadh e do dheànta dhomh a h-uile càil a mhìneachadh an seo – is tha sin gin guth a radha air feadhainn eile anns an sgioba a tha an sàs ann a bhith a’ co-òrdanachadh tachartasan eile anns am prògram nàiseanta; bho Cuach na Cloinne is Duais Iain Muir, gu Turas a Bhaile Mhòr, Deasbad nan

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oirnn le pròiseact ‘Spòrs Gàidhlig’. Aig an ìre seo, ‘se th’ann ach pròiseact treànaidh – far am bitheadh sinn a’ fastadh daoine òga gu prògram treanaidh ann an tachartasan a-muigh. Leis na sgilean is na ‘tiocaidean’ a thogadh iad, bhitheadh iadsan comasach farsuingeachd de dhiofar chur-seachadan a thabhann dhan òigridh – tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig. Am bliadhna stèidhich sinn ‘Spòrs Gàidhlig’ mar chompanaidh air leth, mar mheadhan air am pròiseact a thoirt air adhart. Tha obair air a bhith an luib seo, is ged a tha sinn cho cìnnteach sa ghabhas gum bheil feum air a leithid, is gum bheil iarrtas ann cuideachd, ‘se dùbhlan a bhitheas ann an sgeul sin a mhìneachadh ri buidheannan maoineachaidh anns an là a th’ann.

Agus, mar a bhitheadh dùil ‘s dòcha anns an aimsir eaconomach a th’ ann an dràsta, seo an dùbhlan as motha a tha romhainn anns an fharsuingeachd – airgead gu leòr a chosnadh airson an obair a chumail a’ dol. Aig deireadh 2015, is sinn a’ coimhead air thoiseach gu 2016/17 thainig e am follais gun robh gearradh a’ dol a thighinn air luach a’ chùmhnant eadar CnaG is Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Mar a chaidh radha gu h-àrd, le cluas againn fhìn ris an deasbad mun sporan phoblach, tha sinn a’ tuigse cò às a tha seo a’ tighinn, ach chan urrainn dhuinn a radha gum bheil sinn riaraichte leis. Nì sinn ar n-uile oidhirp gus an obair a chumail a’ dol aig an aon ìre tro 2016/17 a dh’aindheoin an gearradh seo, ach cha ghabhadh e deànamh seachad sin.

CÙMHNANTAN-LEASACHAIDH:BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIGTha Bòrd na Gàidhlig fada air thoiseach air càch a thaobh na thathas a’ toirt do ChnaG airson an obair leasachaidh a chumail a’ dol. ‘S ann tron chùmhnant a’ Bhùird a chaidh againn air a mhòr chuid den obair leasachaidh a dhèanamh. Tha an obair a tha seo stèidhichte air prìomhachasan is ìnnleachd nàiseanta – ri fhaicinn sa Phlana Cànain Nàiseanta – far am bheil fòcas làidir air obair òigridh aig ìre coimhearsnachd. Le bhith ag obair gu dlùth ris an òigridh, am pàrantan, is na sgoiltean, tha sinn dha rìreabh dhan bheachd gum bheil sinn a’ neartachadh na tha ri fhaighinn air iomall foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig, is le sin gum bheil sinn a’ cuir nar doìgh fhèin ris am fàs a th’air a bhith ann.

Tha oifigearan leasachaidh againn ann an 13 sgìrean, stèidhichte air na h-iomairtan Gàidhlig a thòisichear ann an 2009, is air an leudachadh a-nis ann an compàirteachas eadar Bòrd na Gàidhlig is cuid de na h-Ùghdarrasan Ionadail.

OBAIR ÒIGRIDHBithidh a h-uile oifigear ionadail againn an sàs ann am prògram-obrach anns na sgìrean aca fhèin – is sin air a stèidheachadh a rèir na goireasan a tha rim faighinn; miann nam pàrantan; agus a thuilleadh air siud, miann an òigridh fhèin. Tha cus, cus dhan a seo a’dol bho là gu là, is mìos gu mìos airson a mhìneachadh an seo. A’ cuir gu mòr ris a sin, tha prògram stèidhichte againn de thachartasan òigridh a bhios a’ tàladh dhaoine òga bho air feadh Alba:

• Cuach na Cloinne a’ glacadh aire an luchd-spòrs òga, le 48 sgioba an sàs uile gu lèir, bho 29 sgoiltean. Aig am meud a tha seo, bha againn ri sia farpaisean roinneil a lìbhrigeadh, is aon chuairt dheireannach ann an Inbhir Nis. Chaidh Cuach na Cloinne 2015 a chuir air adhart airson Duais Spòrs ann am farpais Duaisean Gaidhlig na h-Alba, agus ghlèidh e a’ chiad duais – aithne a tha a’ toirt toileachas mhòr do ChnaG.

• An ceathramh bliadhna de Duais Iain Muir, le tachartas-còmhnaidh ann an Tòm an t-Sabhail anns an robh 53 duine cloinne an sàs. Bithidh am prògram seo cuideachd air a bhristeadh gu lìbhrigeadh ionadail/roinneil, le 5 tachartasan-còmhnaidh anns na sgìrean, is aon tachartas-còmhnaidh nàiseanta às deidh sin.

• Dà champa Sradagan (anns an t-Eilean Sgiathanach is Na Hearadh) le 45 gu h-iomlan an sàs eadar na dhà;

• Turas sgì-idh soirbheachail, le 40 an làthair uile gu lèir

• Turas a Bhaile Mhòir a’ dol ann an Glaschu san t-Samhain 2015, le 17 an làthair

• Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Sgoiltean – càileachd is comasan nan sgiobaidhean air am moladh gu mòr le na britheamhan.

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Lèirmheas na bliadhna

‘Se sean dàn a tha seo a-nis, ach nach math a bhith an comas a radh uair eile: cha b’urrainn dhuinn na tha seo a dhèanamh às aonais an taic a tha sinn a’ faighinn. Tha mi air ainmeachadh an luchd-maoineachaidh – Bòrd na Gàidhlig is na h-Ùghdarrasan Ionadail; ach tha taic a tha cheart cho cudromach a’ tighinn bho daoine sa choimhearsnachd, agus pàrantan chloinne, is a diofar àiteachan eile. Le bhith ag obair còmhla, tha sinn a’deànamh feum.

A’ coimhead air adhart tha dùbhlain romhainn. Tha mi air ceist an ionmhais ainmeachadh mu thràth, ach tha rudan eile ann cuideachd. Feumaidh sinn an còmhnaidh a bhith a’ feuchainn ri aire pàrantan is an òigridh a tharruing chun na tachartasan a tha sinn a’ cuir air bhonn, gu h-àraid nuair a tha a’ chlann a’ fàs nan deugairean is iomadh rud eile a’ glacadh an aire. Ma tha gìnealach ùr de luchd-labhairt na Gàidhlig gu bhith ann, feumaidh sinn ceangal a thogail leis an òigridh seo tro na bliadhnachan chudromach sin.

Cuideachd saoilidh mi gum bheil an tuilleadh ri dhèanamh gus inbhe, is aithne na Gàidhlig a thogail anns na meadhanan-naidheachd, agus

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na meadhanan sòisealta. Nì sinn barrachd dhan sin an ath-bhliadhna, is an sgioba air treànadh fhaighinn a thaobh a bhith a’ deasachadh is a’ sgaoileadh cuairt-litirean eileagtronaig. Thèid CnaG an sàs cuideachd ann an iomairt feuch am faigh saoghal na Gàidhlig air freagairt air am magadh is an càineadh a dh’èireas anns na pàipearan naidheachd is eile.

Air stèidh bliadhna soirbheachail eile, tha CnaG deiseal is deònach a dhol an sàs anns na rudan seo.

Dòmhnall MacNèillCeannard

In common with the Chairman above, I am delighted to have the opportunity to write about another succesful year for Comunn na Gàidhlig, and to look back on the significant work that has been done for Gaelic.

We had a complete team this year – every post filled, with some who have been in their posts for quite some time. In my opinion this is a good thing because the longer people are established in their communities and in their schools, then the greater the awareness within those communities of the work being done; young people also become more comfortable with their presence and aware of the activities on offer – greater activity and confidence flow from this. That’s not all – our work is all about building confidence – trying to encourage people to place This was another successful year for CnaG, offering further opportunities to contribute significantly to Gaelic development – particularly among the young. As many will know, this is a real priority for CnaG. It was to this end that we entered into a partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and some of the Local Authorities last year, and we continued with this important work in this past year. Some of these new staff members are now engaged much more closely with the schools in their areas – to the extent of having offices or rooms within the schools themselves. This has provided the opportunity to work closer and closer with the young people themselves.

It is also clear, as the numbers in Gaelic Medium Education have grown, that more and more young people are looking for attractive and fun activities in Gaelic – and this year we did our best to meet that demand. We extended our John Muir Award programme once again, seeing up to 50 youngsters engaged in this from 6 of our areas. CnaG has a vision to do more in this field of work in future, and this year we managed to contribute once more to a financial reserve that takes us closer to realising this objective.

Development contracts: Highlands and Islands EnterpriseWe began this year delivering three development contracts on behalf of HIE. All were aimed at supporting businesses who wanted to increase the use of Gaelic in their activities: a marketing and new markets scheme; a Gaelic innovation scheme; and a student summer work placement scheme. Our target was to invest £145,000 through these schemes in the 15 months between October 2013 and the end of December 2014. We met this target – supporting a total of 82 development projects, including: AJG parcels, supported to use Gaelic signage and logos on their vehicle fleet; Maclean Bakeries, assisted to use Gaelic labelling on their food products; and Alpha Hebrides, who developed a new product – a wood and tweed clock using Gaelic branding. In addition 27 students were placed with companies or third sector organisations during their summer vacations.

While these contracts were being deliverd, HIE was managing a study in the economic contribution made by Gaelic, as an asset, to the Scottish economy; and reviewing the means by which they were supporting this. Unfortunately, from CnaG’s point of view, the conclusion was that HIE would continue to support Gaelic developments using their own staff and resources. There is no doubt this has removed the opportunity from CnaG to bid for important contracts and income. This is a significant change, given that there had been some form of contractual relationship with HIE for 30 years.

However, CnaG had implemented changes in recent years which allows us to continue successfully without this work and the associated income.

DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS: BÒRD NA GÀIDHLIGSome time has passed since the Scottish Government, through Bòrd na Gàidhlig, became CnaG’s key funder. The service level agreement with the Bòrd allowed us to continue with the lion’s share of our development activity. This activity helps to deliver on the objectives of the National Gaelic Language Plan – ‘growth and improvement’.

By working closely with young people, their parents, and their schools, we are firmly convinced that we strengthen the range of services offered at the edges of formal Gaelic education, and by doing so that we are contributing to the growth in GME. We very much hope that we are also contributing to the young people’s confidence and affinity with the language – though these are difficult things to measure.

We have development officers in 13 areas, founded on the ’Gaelic Initiatives’ we started in 2009, and expanded in our Bòrd na Gàidhlig/Local Authority partnerships.

The longer this development team remains in place, the stronger the links become between themselves and other partners in the community. Where the opportunity exists to draw in external support to organise a fun event, or to strengthen the Gaelic ‘environment’ we aim for, then we will take it. For example, at the Sradagan summer camps we employ Gaelic speakers in the community to provide catering – because of their ability to speak to the young people in Gaelic. Similarly we’ll use other Gaelic speakers within our activity programme. Not only is this a benefit to the children, but in a small way it contributes to the value of the language within the community itself – when they can see opportunity and income being generated.

YOUTH ACTIVITIESQuite apart from the programmes delivered by our Initiative officers, CnaG also offers other youth-focussed projects. This will be covered in more detail in subsequent pages, but the highlights are:

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Review of the year• Cuach na Cloinne (Children’s football cup)

with a total of 44 teams involved. Cuach na Cloinne was short-listed in the Sports category of the 2014 Gaelic Awards.

• The third year of the John Muir Award, with a residential event in Applecross attended by 50 young people.

• Two summer Sradagan camps (in Islay and Harris) with a total of 40 8-12year olds attending

• Two ski-ing trips – with a total of 31 participants.

• “City Trip” a real success, with 28 attending

• BT National schools debate – the skills and abilities of the competing teams highly praised by the judges, The 2014 debate secured the title of ‘Gaelic Event of the Year’ at the Gaelic Awards.

• ‘Ri Chèile’ debate – between Scottish and Irish youngsters, held in Glasgow with 20 participants – 6 from Scotland; 14 from Ireland.

In addition to all of the above, all of the growth in our delivery of young people’s activities, we have continued to develop our plans for a new project. The aim here is to try and enhance the provision of ‘outdoor education’ delivery in Gaelic. We have been working on this project for up to two years – and this in itself demonstrates it will be hard to deliver at a time when funding is hard to come by A dh’aindheoin sin tha dòchas againn gun dèan sinn adhartas a bharrachd ‘sa bhliadhna tha romhainn. Despite this we are optimistic of progress in the year ahead.

I always conclude this summary of our activities by thanking and praising those working alongside us in the Gaelic development effort. This year is no different. It would simply not be possible for us to do as much without our own commited and enthusiastic team, but also without those who support us within the community – wether voluntarily or commerically.

Donald MacNeillChief Executive

Taic-airgid, Gnìomhachas, Goireasan ‘s CoimhearsnachdanChaidh an obair a leanas a chur an gnìomh air cumhnant do dh’Iomairt na Gàidhealtachd ‘s nan Eilean. (Fhuaireas taic a bharrachd bho luchd-maoineachaidh eile mu choinneamh cuid dhiubh seo - faic nòta 1 fodha)

• Taic-airgid ‘s eile gan toirt do chompanaidhean airson soidhnichean is obair-mhargaidheachd dà- chànanach (£71,500 air 46 pròiseact, a’ tàladh a-steach £53,200 de dh’ionmhas eile).• Taic-airgid de £38,500 air a thoirt do chompanaidhean airson 7 pròiseactan ùr-gnathachaidh.• Sgeama Greis Gnìomhachais le 27 oileanaich a’ faighinn cosnadh-sàmhraidh

Nòta 1: Fhuaireas taic a bharrachd bho Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar agus Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd mu choinneamh pròiseact Sgeama Greis-Gnìomhachais.

Iomairtean Gàidhlig, Obair òigridh ‘s FoghlamDh’obraich CnaG air cumhnant do Bhòrd na Gàidhlig gus na pròiseactan a leanas a chur an gnìomh (fhuaireas taic a bharrachd mu choinneamh chuid dhiubh seo - faic nòta 2 fodha).

• Iomairtean Gàidhlig gan stiùireadh ann an Loch Abair, Ìochdar Thròndairnis, Iar-thuath Leòdhais, Ìle is Diùra, Uibhist, Glaschu, Dùn Èideann, Sgoil Mhic Neacail; Inbhir Nis, Muile, Barraigh, Na Hearadh, agus sgìre an Loch a Tuath; • 12 Oifigearan-leasachaidh (9FTE) air am fastadh mu choinneamh na 13 Iomairtean• Taic ri buidhnean Sradagan le dìon chloinne, stiùireadh ‘s ionmhas. Tha 25 buidheann Sradagan ann an Alba aig an ìre tha seo, leis am buidheann às ùire, Grìanaig, a’ toìseachadh anns a’ Ghearran 2016.• Dà champa òigridh Sradagan a chuir air bhonn (Stafain is Na Hearadh, le 21 & 24 duine òg an làthair)• Tachartasan-còmhnaidh deugairean a chuir air bhonn (Turas Sgì-eadh; Turas a Bhaile Mhòir; Duais Iain Muir)• Farpais ball-coise Cuach na Cloinne ga chuir air bhonn.

(Nòta 2: Fhuaireas taic a bharrachd bho Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar; Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd; agus MG ALBA mu choinneamh pròiseact Cuach na Cloinne; Fhuaireas taic a bharrachd bho Chomhairle nan Eilean, Comhairle Earra Ghaidheal is Bòid, Comhairle Bhaile Ghlaschu agus Comhairle Bhàile Dhùn Èidinn mu choinneamh cuid de na h-obraichean iomairt anns na sgìrean sin.)

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Leasachadh eile• Deasbad Nàiseanta nan Sgoiltean - Chaidh a’ chiad duais gu Sgioba A bho Sgoil Mhic Neacail, agus duais airson Òraidiche nam farpais gu Ròna NicNeacail bho Àrd Sgoil Àird nam Murchain.• Brosnachadh is misneachadh FTMG tro Na h-Eileanan an Iar le bhith a’ cumail thachartasan fiosrachaidh air feadh nan Eilean (ann an co-bhonn le Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.) • Taic ri Sgeama Comhairleachaidh phàrantan• Taic ri Seachdain Foghlaim an Dùn Èideann• Fiosrachadh a chumail ri Blog ChnaG (http://comunn-na-gaidhlig.blogspot.com/) a tha ag amas air naidheachdan ‘s leasachaidhean fhoillseachadh gu neo-fhoirmeil

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Grant support for businessThe following projects were implemented by CnaG on contract to Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

(Additional support was received from other funders for some of them – see Note 1 below.)

Iomairtean Gàidhlig, youth work & EducationCnaG delivered the following work on contract to Bòrd na Gàidhlig. (Additional support was received from

other funders for some of them – see Note2 below.)

Other developments

• Financial and other support provided to companies for Gaelic-related marketing initiatives,or the entry into new markets. (£71,500 on 46 projects, securing £53,200 of other investment). • Financial support of £38,500 towards 7 Gaelic innovation projects; • Student placement scheme, with 27 students securing placements and summer employment.

(Note 1: Additional funding was provided by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, and The Highland Council towards the student placement scheme.)

• Iomairtean Gàidhlig managed and supported in Lochaber, Trotternish(Skye); Lewis; Uist and Eriskay; Islay and Jura; Glasgow; Edinburgh; Nicolson Institute (Stornoway); Inverness; Mull; Barra; Harris; North Bay (Stornoway)• 12 development officers (9FTE) employed on these Iomairtean/Initiatives• Support for Sradagan clubc with child protection and ‘disclosures’, management and finance. 5 new groups established: Mull, Ness, Point, and two in Harris• Two Sradagan summer youth camps run in Islay and Harris, with 15 and 25 attending respectively• Residential activities for teenagers (two ski trips, “City” trip) • Cuach na Cloinne – national primary school football competition organised.

(Note 2: Further support was received from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, The Highland Council, and MG Alba towards the costs of Cuach na Cloinne.)

• Ri Chèile – The overall prize went to Peggy Ann Scott from the Nicolson Institute, and Ishbel Bain won the prize in the Scottish section of the competition• BT National Schools Debate – First prize to Dingwall Academy, and the prize for the best speaker to Megan Dale, also from Dingwall Academy.• Promoting GME through the Western Isles through a series of information events (in partnership with CnES). • Supporting the parental advisory scheme• Supporting the Edinburgh Week trip – for primary schools • Information feed on the CnaG blog (http://comunn-na-gaidhlig.blogspot.com/) which aims to provide updates on news and new developments in an informal, informative fashion• The John Muir Award programme and residential events – expanded this year with 50 young people attending the national residential trip.

Bòrd Stiùiridh ChnaG 2015/16 CnaG Board of Directors 2015/16MGR COINNEACH MACÌOMHAIRCATHRAICHE

MGR CALUM DUNCANIAR CHATHRAICHE

A’ BH-UAS. FIONA DUNN (LEIG I DHITH A DREUCHD ‘S A CHÈITEAN 2015)

COMHRL. ALASDAIR MACLEÒID

A’ BH-UAS CATRIONA MHOIREACH

A’ BH-UAS CIORSTAIDH NICDHÒMHNAILL

A’ BH-UAS LAURA NIC’ILLINEINN

A’ BH-UAS. CAIRISTIONA NICGHILLE’IOSA (BHON DÙBHLACHD 2015)

MGR AILEAN DÒMHNALLACH (BHON DÙBHLACHD 2015)

MR. KENNETH MACIVERCHAIR

MR, CALUM DUNCAN VICE-CHAIR

MS. FIONA DUNN (RETIRED FROM THE BOARD IN MAY 2014)

CLLR, ALASDAIR MACLEOD

MS. CATRIONA MURRAY

MS. KIRSTY MACDONALD

MS. LAURA MACLENNAN

17INBHIR NISDÒMHNALL MACNEÌLL Ceannard & Rùnaire a’ Chompanaidh

DÒMHNALL MORRIS Manaidsear Leasachaidh

SHONA CHAIMBEULOifigear Leasachaidh & Iomairt Inbhir Nis

CIORSTAIDH ANNA HOLLASNeach-rianachd STEÒRNABHAGHCALUM IAIN MACLEÒIDStiùiriche Leasachaidh

IONA NIC AN T-SAGAIRTOifigear Phàrant FTMG

SANDRA NICGHILLE’IOSA Neach-rianachd

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG GHLASCHUALISON NI DHORCHAIDHE

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG LEÒDHAISMARINA MHOIREACH

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG ÌLE ‘S DHIÙRALYNN NICDHÒMHNAILL

INVERNESSDONALD MACNEILL Chief Executive & Company Secretary

DONALD MORRISDevelopment Manager

SHONA CAMPBELLDevelopment Officer & Iomairt Inbhir Nis

CIORSTAIDH ANN HOLLASAdministrator (0.5 FTE)

STORNOWAYCALUM IAIN MACLEODDevelopment Director

IONA MACTAGGARTParental Officer GME

SANDRA GILLIESAdministrator (0.5FTE)

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG GHLASCHUALISON D’ARCY

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG LEÒDHAISMARINA MURRAY

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG ÌLE ‘S DHIÙRALYNN MACDONALD

Luchd-obrach ChnaG 2015/16 CnaG staff 2015/1618

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG LOCH ABAIR & I. GH. MHUILEKATRINA NIC’ILLEATHAIN

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG UIBHIST A DEASMÀIRI-ANNA CHAIMBEUL

LASAIR - IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG ÌOCHDAR THRÒNDAIRNISSÌNE GHILLEASBUIG

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG DHÙN ÈIDINNANN NICPHÀDRUIG

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG A’ BHÀGH A TUATHMÀIRI NICUILLEIM (BHO SULTAIN 2014) RAONAID NICUALRIG (BHO DÀMHAIR 2015)

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG BHARRAIGHMÀIRI NIC’ILLEATHAIN

IOMAIRT SGOIL ‘ICNEACAILLMÀIRI NIC’ILLINNEIN

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG NA HEARADHMÀIRI ANNA NICTHÒM

COMANN NAM PÀRANTMAGAIDH WENTWORTH, GEÀRRLOCHMANAIDSEAR

DIORBHAIL WENTWORTH, GLASCHUOIFIGEAR LEASACHAIDH (BHO LÙNASTAL 2015)

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG LOCH ABAIR & I. GH. MHUILEKATRINA MACLEAN

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG UIBHISTMARY ANNE CAMPBELL

LASAIR - IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG ÌOCHDAR THRÒNDAIRNISSÌNE GHILLEASBUIG

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG DHÙN ÈIDINNANN PATERSON

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG A’ BHÀGH A TUATHMAIRI WILSON (BHO SULTAIN 2014)

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG BHARRAIGHMAIRI MACLEAN

IOMAIRT SGOIL ‘ICNEACAILLMAIRI MACLENNAN

IOMAIRT GHÀIDHLIG NA HEARADHMAIRI ANNA MACCOMBE

PARENTAL OFFICER MAGGIE WENTWORTH, GAIRLOCHMANAGER

DIORBHAIL WENTWORTH, GLASGOWDEVELOPMENT OFFICER (FROM AUGUST 2015)

www.cnag.org.uk

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