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Pines Burn Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The Pines Burn Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund supports seven communities in the Scottish Borders: Hobkirk, Denholm & District, Hawick & District, Newcastleton & District, Southdean, Upper Liddesdale & Hermitage, Upper Teviotdale and Borthwick Water. Each community receives a share of the annual payment which comprises 64% of the total fund, with tailored arrangements in place with each community through a Memorandum of Understanding between each community council and Foundation Scotland. The overall purpose of the Fund is to contribute to the wellbeing and sustainability of the benefitting communities by supporting charitable activities that make a positive difference to people's lives and economic, social or environmental sustainability of the local area. The Fund can also be used to support activity in line with this overall purpose and in keeping with the community's priorities and needs, which may be described in a Community Action Plan, Local Place Plan or similar document. This is a devolved fund, meaning different arrangements are in place for the different communities that benefit from the fund based on the preference of the communities involved. Community groups and organisations working to benefit people in each community within the area of benefit can apply to their respective local funds. Decisions are made by designated groups within each community, and applicants should contact their respective Community Council for specific information about how the fund operates in their area. The fund is managed by Foundation Scotland on behalf of the seven community councils, with the host community of Hobkirk receiving two shares and the other six communities receiving one share each of the distributed funds.

Nadara Glenkerie Wind Farm Community Fund

The Nadara Glenkerie Wind Farm Community Fund supports community projects benefiting those living within 15km of the Glenkerie Wind Farm in Scottish Borders and South Lanarkshire. The fund began in 2014 and provides an annual amount of at least £57,200 per year, rising in line with inflation, for the operating life of the wind farm which is expected to be 25 years. The overall aims are to support activity which will sustain and develop the life of the community and ensure that the area is an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit. Grant sizes range from small grants (£250-£2,000), medium grants (£2,001-£10,000), to large grants (over £10,001 to £15,000, with awards over £15,000 only in exceptional circumstances). Priority is given to applications from communities within 10km of the wind farm including Tweedsmuir, Broughton, Drumelzier and Coulter, though other communities within the 15km radius are eligible including Stobo, Biggar, Symington, Roberton, Lamington, Wiston and Skirling.

Langhope Rig Wind Farm Education & Training Fund (Sub Fund A)

This Fund provides bursaries to residents of Ettrick & Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk & Midlem and Upper Teviotdale & Borthwick Water Community Council areas to help them access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the range of skills needed to enter or retain employment. The purpose of the fund is to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in these Scottish Borders communities. Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications are favored, including apprenticeships, Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, short vocational courses, and many other courses. Awards can cover costs directly related to attending courses or apprenticeships, including course fees, study aids and equipment, technical aids/equipment, travel and subsistence costs, accommodation costs, childcare costs, and driving lessons and tests. The fund is provided from Langhope Rig Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and operates on a rolling basis.

Langhope Rig Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The Langhope Rig Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund is provided by Greencoat UK Wind, the owners of the Langhope Rig Wind Farm located near Hawick in the Scottish Borders. An annual amount of £80,000, rising in line with inflation, is paid into the fund for the operating life of the wind farm. In 2025, the annual contribution to the fund was just over £118,000. The fund comprises two sub-funds, with Sub-fund A being a single joint fund that supports groups and organisations delivering projects and services across three community council areas. The fund provides grants to support charitable activities that encourage community activity and promote community spirit, ensure adequate access to services for all community members, improve local transport infrastructure, build the local economy, build community capacity and cohesion between groups, and develop or maintain community assets. Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered, including equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities.