More cash available from An Suidhe wind farm fund
A grant fund linked to a wind farm in the hills between Loch Fyne and Loch Awe has increased the maximum amount of funding for which groups can apply.
The upper limit for community grants from the An Suidhe wind farm fund has risen to £9,000 per project, up from £7,000. The move comes in recognition of increasing project costs faced by community groups.
Decisions on how the fund is spent are made by a panel of local representatives, and panel member Janet Riddoch of Inveraray said: ‘Given that some people are still shielding and there is not the usual amount of conversation in the street, the panel is keen to get the word out and ensure all groups who are entitled to apply to the fund are aware of the new grant size in good time, so that they can put forward a well-researched application.’
The fund is administered by independent grant-making charity Foundation Scotland, which also support the panel.
Tom Black, the foundation’s community engagement manager said: ‘The An Suidhe Wind Farm Fund offers financial support for community-based projects that provide a lasting legacy. We are delighted to announce that support is increasing to keep pace with the real costs of purchasing goods and services, and the fund can continue to make a real difference in the four communities.’
Since 2011, the An Suidhe
Wind Farm Community Fund has provided financial support to charitable projects and services in the areas served by the community councils of Glenorchy and Innishail (Eredine only), Inveraray and Furnace and by Dalavich Improvement Group. An annual donation, rising in line with inflation (retail price index), is paid into the fund by the majority owner of the wind farm, Innogy Renewables UK Limited, over the operating life of the wind farm.
In 2019 the donation was just over £36,000.
In 2019, five awards totalling £25,905 were made to local groups, including £7,000 to install outdoor gym equipment in Furnace; £2,405 for safety equipment for Loch Awe Coastal Rowing Club; £5,500 to buy a storage container for Inveraray Shinty Club, pictured, that will also double as a changing facility for the girl’s team; £4,000 for Cairndow Community Childcare to buy white goods to support a new soft play facility; £7,000 to Dalavich Improvement Group to upgrade the community centre toilets and improve access to the existing disabled toilet.
The next deadline for applications to An Suidhe Wind Farm Community Fund is October 5. For further information visit www. foundationscotland.org.uk/ programmes/an-suidhe or contact Tom Black by email tom@foundationscotland.org. uk or call 07584 323850.