Celebrations in Aberdeenshire as Vattenfall funding is announced
The recipients of more than £124,000 funding have been announced this week, with a total of 12 community groups across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire celebrating successful applications to the Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund.
Now in its second year of grant-making, the Fund aims to support community projects across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire which are innovative, environmentally sustainable and provide a legacy for their local community.
All Fund co-ordination is managed by Foundation Scotland and attracts a huge variety of applications each year. Decisions on which projects receive funding are made by a panel of community champions.
We were delighted to see such a huge variety of projects submit applications this year. The Unlock Our Future Fund helps organisations large and small to make a long-lasting impact on their community and the environment in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and beyond
Bea Jefferson, Foundation Scotland’s Fund Co-ordinator
Amongst those celebrating new funding were Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) who were awarded £5,500. The money will pay for a new electric cargo bicycle to help deliver fresh food to people in Aberdeen who experience food poverty, isolation, mobility barriers and mental health issues.
The demand for CFINE’s emergency parcel delivery service increased by 300%, we are currently delivering over 1,500 parcels weekly to people experiencing food insecurity. The electric cargo bike will be utilised to deliver essentials to families facing hardship, therefore, helping us alleviate poverty in the North East in an eco-friendly way
Lisa Duthie, Chief Executive of CFINE
In central Aberdeenshire, the Alford District Men’s Shed were awarded £15,000 to further develop their existing renewable energy system. This new funding will pay for solar and thermal battery storage, increasing the capacity and optimising the use of renewable energy they already generate on-site.
Alford Men’s Shed Support from Vattenfall’s Unlock our Future Fund will significantly help us on our journey to net zero by developing an energy system appropriate to 21st century imperatives for decarbonisation
Bill Slee, a Trustee for the Shed
Other projects receiving funding were the Aberdeen Association of Social Service (VSA), Buchan Community Farm, Camphill School, Newburgh Public Hall, Peterhead Sailing Club, Aberdeen University (ProtoTAU project), Tarland Development Group, Tarves Parish Church and The Barn (Woodend Arts Ltd).
Local community initiatives make such a huge difference to the lives of so many people. We’re excited to have been able to help these fantastic projects come to life through the Unlock our Future Fund
Alexandra Richards, Operations & Maintenance Manager at Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm