Discover Funding Opportunities

Baillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The Baillie Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund has been established to disburse funds from Baillie Wind Farm Ltd, which contributes £100,000 per annum for the 25 year life of the wind farm for the benefit of West Caithness. The Fund welcomes applications from societies, clubs, groups, residents or small businesses who reside in the West Caithness Community Council area. Though priority is given to those in the West Caithness area, it also considers applications from educational and sporting organisations from other community council areas in Caithness and North Sutherland. The fund supports a wide range of community projects and initiatives throughout the region.

Tannach and District Wind Farm Education & Training Fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of the Tannach and District Community Councils area in Caithness to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment in key sectors of the local economy. The fund is provided from the Tannach and District Wind Farm Trust and aims to improve opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Tannach and District. Awards are made to those seeking to undertake training or education in key sectors including Health and Social Care, Teaching and Education, Food and Drink, Tourism and Customer Services, Culture and Heritage, Communications and IT, Renewables and Energy, STEM, Construction and Trades, and Sea-based industries. Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications will be favoured, however other courses will also be considered where the applicant can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support them in securing or retaining work. The fund covers various types of courses including Apprenticeships, SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, undergraduate degrees, post-graduate qualifications (though not PhDs), and short vocational courses on a full time or part time basis.

Stroupster Wind Farm Education and Training Fund (Dunnet & Canisbay)

This fund provides bursaries to residents of the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council area of Caithness to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment in key sectors of the local economy. The fund is provided from Stroupster Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and aims to improve opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Dunnet & Canisbay. Awards are made to those seeking to undertake training or education in key sectors including Health and Social Care, Teaching and Education, Food and Drink, Tourism and Customer Services, Culture, Heritage and the Natural Environment, Communications and Information Technology, Renewables, Energy and Climate Change, Engineering, Science, Maths and Technology, Construction and the Trades, and Sea based industries. Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications are favoured, however other courses will also be considered where the applicant can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support them in securing or retaining work. Supported courses can include apprenticeships, SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, undergraduate degrees, post-graduate qualifications (though not PhDs), short vocational courses, and other courses that meet the fund purpose.

Stroupster Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

This fund supports a wide range of charitable activity and development that principally benefit the residents of the Dunnet & Canisbay Community Council area in Caithness, Scotland. The fund is provided by Schroders Greencoat, owner of Stroupster Wind Farm, with a donation of £149,500 per year (index-linked) being made to the fund for the wind farm's operational lifetime. The fund provides grants to support charitable activities focused on seven key areas: improving or giving better access to communications and transport; improving community assets and facilities; providing opportunities for young people; providing support and opportunities for older people; promoting enterprise and tourism; improving the natural environment and access to it; and improving or giving better access to culture and heritage. Approximately 20% of the fund is available for projects or services located outside the Dunnet & Canisbay area, provided there is clear and evidenced benefit to residents of that community. Grants are awarded up to £25,000 per project, with larger amounts considered on a case-by-case basis for transformational projects.

RWE Camster Wind Farm Community Fund

This fund supports charitable activities or services of benefit to those living in the following Community Council areas in Caithness: Latheron, Lybster and Clyth; Watten; and Tannach and District. The fund is provided by RWE, owner of the Camster Wind Farm, and receives at least £150,000 annually (index-linked) for the Wind Farm lifetime, expected to be 25 years. The annual donation is split equally between the three Community Council areas. The fund supports projects that contribute to outcomes including increased sports and recreational opportunities, safer access through settlements, varied activities for all ages, enhanced community life, economic activity encouragement, vocational skills development, promotion of natural and cultural heritage, sustainable energy use, and tourism development. Applications can range from salaries and core costs to capital projects and feasibility studies. Constituted not-for-profit groups or organisations working to benefit people in these areas may apply. Applicants should demonstrate local consultation, consider partnership working where appropriate, and prioritize local procurement. Recommendations on grant awards are made by a Panel of people who live in the fund area, comprising up to 12 people with four representatives from each of the three Community Council areas.

RWE Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Education & Training Fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of the following Community Council areas in Caithness; Watten, Halkirk District, and Lybster, Latheron and Clyth. It helps them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment in key sectors of the local economy. The purpose of the fund is to improve opportunities and livelihoods of people living in these areas. Awards are made to those seeking to undertake training or education in key sectors relevant to the area, including Health and Social Care, Teaching and Education, Food and Drink, Tourism and Customer Services, Culture, Heritage and the Natural Environment, Communications and Information Technology, Renewables, Energy and Climate Change, Engineering, Science, Maths and Technology, Construction and the Trades, and Sea based industries. Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications will be favoured, however other courses will also be considered where the applicant can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support them in securing or retaining work. Courses supported can be on a full time or part time basis and may include apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, undergraduate degrees, post-graduate qualifications (though not PhDs), short vocational courses, and other courses that meet the Fund purpose. Awards are made for costs that are directly related to attending your course or apprenticeship, including course fees, study aids and equipment, tools for trade, travel and subsistence costs, accommodation costs, childcare costs, and driving lessons.

RWE Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund (Halkirk District)

This fund supports charitable activities or services that benefit people living in the Community Council area of Halkirk District in Caithness. The fund is provided by RWE, owner of the Bad á Cheò Wind Farm, and receives at least £44,616 annually (index-linked) for the life of the Wind Farm, expected to be 25 years. Constituted not-for-profit groups or organisations working to benefit people in the area may apply for grants up to £10,000. The fund focuses on five key outcomes: developing services and facilities; sustaining and creating employment; increasing skills and knowledge; preserving and enhancing or giving better access to culture, heritage and the environment; and getting around and getting connected. Applications must demonstrate how they will contribute towards one or more of these outcomes with measurable activities and outputs. The fund emphasizes local consultation, partnership working, sustainable development, and local procurement. A Panel of local residents makes recommendations on grant awards, meeting four times per year to consider applications. Applications from groups based outside the fund area will be considered on a case-by-case basis if they demonstrate clear benefit for residents within the fund area.