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The South Kyle Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The South Kyle Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides assured income to the communities of Dalmellington, Patna, New Cumnock in East Ayrshire and Carsphairn in Dumfries & Galloway. Foundation Scotland administers the fund in partnership with four local organisations. The fund operates on an initial four-year cycle (2023-2027) and distributes funding through four different strands: Paid/Contracted Support, Local Community Funds, Education and Training Schemes, and Flagship Change Projects. The fund's purpose is to enhance the lives of people living in these four communities by contributing to their wellbeing and sustainability. Common themes include improved built and natural environment, increased leisure and tourism opportunities, improved infrastructure and connectivity, an improving economy with training and employment opportunities, and improved opportunities for children and young people. The fund is designed to be purposeful, context-specific, collaborative, and accountable, with decision-making processes that are community-led.

RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund

The RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in the Glenfarg or Earn Community Council areas in Perth and Kinross, Scotland. This Fund is provided by RWE, the owner of Lochelbank Wind Farm in Perthshire. The Fund opened in 2011, with an annual contribution of £20,000 rising with inflation, expected to be approximately £33,000 in 2026. The Fund provides grants to support charitable activities that enhance quality of life for local residents, contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities, and promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Grants may support a wide range of costs including equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and more. Grants in excess of the maximum and multi-year requests (up to 3 years) can be considered in exceptional circumstances with strong community support and significant impact potential.

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.

Minnygap Community Fund

The Minnygap Community Fund supports community projects benefitting those living within the Johnstone, Templand, and Kirkpatrick Juxta community council areas, including the villages of Johnstonebridge, Templand, and Beattock in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The fund is provided by Minnygap Energy Ltd, owner of the Minnygap Wind Farm, and the Johnstonebridge Community Centre & Development Trust (JCCDT). Since opening in 2018, the fund provides £50,000 annually, rising with inflation, for the operating life of the wind farm. The fund provides grants to support charitable activities that enhance quality of life for local residents, contribute to vibrant and sustainable communities, promote community spirit, support sustainable community assets including capital assets and community enterprises, provide safe places to live, help people into work, and improve local transport. Grant requests for equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities are considered. Grants are available in three tiers: small grants (£1-£600), standard grants (£601-£5,000), and large grants (£5,001-£12,000). Standard and large grants may be multi-year in nature, up to £12,000 per year over three years. A community panel of local residents makes recommendations on grant awards, meeting twice a year in January and July. The fund prioritizes applications that demonstrate match funding, use local procurement, show sustainability plans, build local capacity, and involve partnership working.