The Great Glen Energy Co-op community benefit fund reopens
Groups in the Loch Ness area are invited to apply for up to £5,000 of community project funding
The fund, which was launched in 2023, was set up to support community projects which address environmental, education and equality issues.
Since launching, the fund has awarded over £200,000 to local groups and supported a wide range of projects from energy efficiency improvements to village halls, to projects which deliver environmental education in innovative ways to local people. Last year, Abraichan Forest Trust received £7,500 to contribute to the cost of employing a ranger to deliver hands-on activities, increase participation and improve environmental knowledge.
“Thanks to funding from Great Glen Energy Cooperative, Abriachan’s community woodland has benefited greatly from our on-site ranger, Ewan Fenelon. He has worked hard on various maintenance and repair tasks, organised a full programme of events, and contributed to lots of citizen science.
All of these activities have meant school groups, individual pupils, families on holiday and other people who have visited or volunteered this year have participated in, learned about and hopefully gone away with plans to replicate our nature-based activities elsewhere.“
Stratherrick Public Hall also received £5,000 towards energy efficiency improvements.
“The grant that we received from the Great Glen Fund this year was invaluable to Stratherrick Public Hall in Gorthleck. It played a significant part in the funding that we raised for new windows and doors at the Hall. These doors will make a huge difference to the warmth and cosiness of the hall when winter comes, we are all very pleased with the grant we were given and are extremely grateful to Foundation Scotland and the Great Glen Fund.”
And Glen Urquhart Men’s Shed was awarded £5,0000 for a community kindling project.
“Thanks to the Great Glen Fund, we were able to realise our Community Kindling Enterprise project in full. This has allowed us to generate a sustainable source of income while keeping our members active. The application process was straightforward and I'd once again like to thank Foundation Scotland for their continued support - which is being felt throughout Glen Urquhart. To date we have sold over 110 bags of kindling and kept our promise to donate 1/4 to the local community.”
The fund is administered by Foundation Scotland and potential applicants can contact local Fund Adviser Marion McDonald for support with their application.
“This is a great opportunity for community groups around Loch Ness and the Great Glen to take forward some new projects or develop existing activity. I’m very happy to speak to individuals and groups about their projects and would encourage them to get in touch before applying, for an informal chat about what they are planning and for any help they may need with their application.”
Projects which benefit groups and individuals in the following community council areas can apply: Glenurquhart; Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston; Glengarry; Stratherrick & Foyers; Dores & Essich and Inverness West (which includes Abriachan, Dochgarroch and Lochend).
The funding comes from the Great Glen Energy Co-operative’s stake in the Millenium Wind Farm, which is located in the hills north of Invergarry and southwest of Fort Augustus. It is the highest wind farm in Scotland. When the wind farm is operating fully, its 26 turbines generate enough clean, green electricity to supply around 36,000 average homes and will help reduce reliance on existing less environmentally friendly energy sources.
The deadline for the next round of grants is the 15th October. Award decisions will be made at the Great Glen Energy Co-op board meeting in mid-December.
For more information including full application details please visit the Fund Information Page.