Discover Funding Opportunities

WATIF Education Support Grant

The WATIF Education Support Grant provides financial assistance to individuals residing in the WATIF area of benefit who are in or planning to enter higher/further education or training. Grants of up to £750 are available to support education-related expenses including travel costs, tuition fees, equipment, textbooks, and uniforms. The grant can also cover costs associated with gaining entry to education or training, such as travel costs or accommodation for open days and interviews. In some circumstances, the organization may consider applications for higher amounts on a case-by-case basis. Applications must be supported by evidence of eligibility such as an offer letter or course confirmation from an education or training provider. The program aims to enhance health and wellbeing, increase access to essential services, and encourage sustainable economic development within the WATIF community. Recipients are encouraged to volunteer for the trust after receiving the grant to help achieve the organization's vision for the local community.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) provides financial support to young people aged 16 to 19 who want to continue their education. The allowance is designed to help students stay in learning by providing weekly financial assistance. Students receive £30 per week during the academic year, provided they meet their agreed attendance requirements as outlined in their learning agreement or action plan. Each academic year, students must apply to their local council or college for EMA and complete a learning agreement. Payment is conditional upon meeting the attendance requirements specified in the learning agreement.

Whiteside Hill Education and Training Fund

This fund provides bursaries to residents of the Kirkconnel & Kelloholm and Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District 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 fund is provided by Whiteside Hill Wind Farm Community Fund. The Whiteside Hill Education & Training Fund is designed to improve the opportunities and livelihoods of people living in Kirkconnel & Kelloholm and Sanquhar & District. Courses leading to formal or recognised qualifications are favoured, though other courses will be considered where applicants can demonstrate how the skills and knowledge gained will realistically support them in securing or retaining work. Awards can cover course fees, study aids and equipment, technical equipment, travel and subsistence costs, accommodation costs, childcare costs, and certain driving lessons. The maximum award for first time applicants is up to £1,500, second time applicants up to £1,000, and further applications up to £500 per year. Courses supported can be on a full-time or part-time basis and may include apprenticeships, SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications (excluding PhDs), short vocational courses and other courses that meet the fund purpose.

Patna Education & Training Fund

The Patna Education & Training Fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to help local people aged 16 or over to take up and progress through education and training courses, to increase their skills and enable access to a wider range of further training or employment opportunities. It helps people overcome financial barriers that might otherwise prevent them from starting, completing, or participating fully in courses. The fund is made available by the owners of the South Kyle Wind Farm to improve opportunities and livelihoods for people living in Patna. Participation in a wide range of courses can be funded (full or part-time), including Modern Apprenticeships, Foundation Apprenticeships, NC, HNC, HND, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate qualifications (though not PhDs), and short vocational courses. Funding can be used to cover course fees where these cannot be met from other sources and support costs such as study aids, equipment and accommodation. The fund can also support travel, subsistence or childcare to enable attendance. Awards can support costs that are directly related to attending your course or apprenticeship, including course fees, study aids and equipment (e.g., laptops, software, and stationery), technical aids/equipment (e.g., specialist clothing relating to the course, tools, and other specialist equipment) capped at £700, and travel and subsistence costs at a flat rate of £15 per day.

Nadara Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Kinglassie) Education & Training Fund

The Nadara Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Kinglassie) Education & Training Fund supports residents of any age living in the Kinglassie Community Council area to take up vocational training and educational courses. The fund is provided by Westfield Wind Farm Limited (WWFL) the owner and operator of the Westfield Wind Farm in Fife. The fund provides grants to help local people take up vocational education and training courses to increase their skills and enable access to a wider range of employment opportunities. In recognition of the financial and practical challenges that can make it more difficult for people in Kinglassie to take up courses, funding can be used to cover part or all of a course fee, travel costs, essential equipment such as books or IT equipment, childcare and subsistence. The Kinglassie Education & Training Fund began as a one-year pilot in 2023, and will now run continuously with up to £10,000 available each year to support local people aged 16 and over take up education and training opportunities. The annual amount available will be reviewed periodically but could continue for the wind farm's operating lifetime, which is expected to be until 2039.

Nadara Gordonstown Wind Farm Education & Training Fund (Auchterless, Inverkeithny & Fisherford)

This fund provides educational and training bursaries for individuals living in the Auchterless, Inverkeithny & Fisherford Community Council areas seeking to improve their employability prospects or develop a new career. Awards can support participation in a range of courses, from short courses to postgraduate degrees. The fund aims to support residents in gaining the skills and confidence they need to improve their employability prospects or develop a new career, and is not limited to education or training in support of any specific industry or economic sector. Awards can support participation in a wide range of courses, either vocational or professional, and full-time or part-time. Applications to support courses leading to formal qualifications will be favoured over informal courses. Examples of formal qualifications include SVQs, NCs, HNCs, HNDs, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The chosen course may be provided anywhere in the UK. Driving lessons may also be supported. The fund is part of the Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund, provided by Nadara, the owner of Gordonstown Hill Wind Farm in Aberdeenshire. Multi-year grants can be awarded to support, for example, HNDs or degree courses.

Middle Balbeggie Wind Farm Education & Training Fund

The Middle Balbeggie Wind Farm Education & Training Fund (MBET Fund) supports residents living in the Thornton Community Council area in Fife who have started or wish to engage in study or training. The fund began in 2017, and is provided by Middle Balbeggie Wind Limited, managed by Netro Energy on behalf of Alpha Real Capital. The fund provides grants to help local people aged 16 or over to take up and progress through education and training courses (including apprenticeships), to increase their skills and enable access to a wider range of further training or employment opportunities. It helps people to overcome financial barriers which might otherwise prevent them from starting, completing or participating fully in courses. Funding can be used to cover part or all of course fees, travel costs, essential equipment such as books or IT equipment, childcare and subsistence. The fund has been operating for the wind farm's lifetime, which is expected to be 25 years, and has awarded over £40,000 in 2023 alone.