Local projects share over £96,000 funding boost from Clashindarroch Wind Farm Fund
The Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund has awarded a total of £96,089 to six community projects from the latest round of funding across Aberdeenshire.
Projects will deliver initiatives such as sustainable community infrastructure and youth development programmes, addressing a diverse range of community needs, from improved facilities and accessibility to food poverty and opportunities for young people.
Major Awards Supporting Community Infrastructure
Books Abroad received £27,000 towards the refurbishment of their facilities, including the installation of solar panels, an air-source heat pump, and accessible toilet facilities. The improvements will support sustainability and accessibility, as well as an anticipated increase in volunteering. Gordon Rural Action was awarded £25,407 to transform their Community Support Hub. They will use the funding to help with rewiring, redecorating, wall repairs, replacing flooring, and improving accessibility, creating a more welcoming environment for clients, staff, and volunteers.
Emma Selway-Grant from Gordon Rural Action said:
Being successful with this funding is such wonderful news. It will help us upgrade our Advice Hub spaces and staff and volunteer offices, ensuring they are safe, more environmentally friendly and fit for purpose for the future, providing a welcoming space for the public to engage with GRA services. The support we have received from the Fund in recent years has been invaluable in helping us through some difficult periods and has enabled us to continue to respond to the needs of our community.
Gordon Primary School PTA was awarded £23,579 for outdoor agility equipment in the school's playground, designed to make play and physical activity more accessible, fun and safer for the P5 to 7 classes.
Supporting Local Services and Youth Development
Castle Street Coffee received £14,999 towards renovations and youth programmes at their premises in Huntly, improving community engagement and support in the town. CFINE was awarded £3,000 for energy-saving cooking appliances and starter packs for families in Rhynie, aimed at helping with cooking and nutrition skills, and reducing energy costs for families facing food poverty. And Snowsport Scotland received £2,104 to fund a pilot project providing roller-ski and cross-country skiing training sessions for upper primary children at Rhynie Primary School, supporting young people to learn new skills, enjoy participation, and embrace outdoor activity.
Berry Jordan, Business and Community Investment Advisor, Development UK of Vattenfall said:
It’s excellent to see the fund supporting opportunities for local young people and causes and organisations that build opportunity and resilience in communities.
The Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund has an ongoing commitment to supporting projects that deliver tangible benefits to local communities and continues to play a significant role in strengthening community infrastructure and services, ensuring that local communities benefit directly from renewable energy generation.
Read more about the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund