New community fund in East Berwickshire announces first grants
The Drone Hill & NnG East Berwickshire Fund has awarded just over £16,000 to local projects.
The grants focused on two primary areas; infrastructure improvements in Eyemouth, and opportunities for young people in sport, culture and STEM. This first round marks an important milestone for the Fund, demonstrating its commitment to directing community benefit investment to support the residents across East Berwickshire.
The newly expanded Fund has brought wind farm owners and local communities together in a collaborative partnership for East Berwickshire. Greencoat UK Wind, owner of the Drone Hill onshore wind farm, and Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm, a joint venture between EDF power solutions UK and ESB in the Firth of Forth, integrated their separate community benefit funds to create a single, more accessible route to support local groups.
Decisions are made by a Panel, made up from local residents from across the seven community councils that make up the fund and include Reston & Auchencrow, Grantshouse, Coldingham, Cockburnspath & Cove, St Abbs, Eyemouth and Burnmouth.
In recent weeks, seven grants have been awarded by the Panel, with the largest to Happy Swimmers, a local group dedicated to providing young people with free swimming lessons. For those growing up along the East Berwickshire coastline, swimming is an essential life skill. The funding will contribute to the cost of lessons for children, including non-curriculum sessions for families experiencing financial hardship, with the aim of promoting water safety, building new skills, enhancing quality of life, and easing financial pressures.
Amelia Gilmore, a spokesperson for Happy Swimmers said:
“Happy Swimmers is delighted to hear we have been awarded funding. The ongoing support from the fund has allowed hundreds of local children over the last few years to learn to something, which is something we at Happy Swimmer consider a vital life skill. At a time when the pressures on the cost of living mean families are forced to make important decisions about how money is spent, it means so much that our local communities recognise the importance of enabling children to be bolder, healthier and happier in the water and in life.”
Eyemouth Development Trust received money towards the cost of running public toilet facilities in the town, covering utilities, maintenance, cleaning, and repairs, ensuring accessibility and supporting community wellbeing and local businesses. This funding will provide the group with much-needed support in working towards its long-term goal of self-sustaining facilities to benefit both local residents and the visitors and tourists who come to the area.
Eyemouth High School Parent Council received £2,000 towards race entry fees, vehicle maintenance, and new components for F24 cars, supporting STEM learning and skills development for pupils. The project engages both high school pupils and those from primary schools across the local catchment area.
Further grants were awarded to support additional community priorities across East Berwickshire. Coldingham Primary School Parent Council received £1,500 towards its annual Pantomime Trip, while Scottish Borders Rape Crisis Centre received £1,000 to support survivors of sexual violence and improve access to specialist services, helping to enhance wellbeing and enable recovery. Ayton Bowling Club received £400 to upgrade its catering facilities.
Annette McGraith, member of the Panel said:
“This first round of funding is a real milestone for East Berwickshire, and it's been genuinely rewarding to see the range and quality of applications come forward. From supporting young people to learn to swim, to helping preserve Eyemouth's Coble House, these grants reflect what matters most to our communities. The Panel is made up of local people who understand these areas well, and that local knowledge has been central to every decision we've made. We're proud to be supporting such a diverse range of projects, and we look forward to seeing the difference this funding makes."
Together, these awards reflect the breadth of the Fund's ambition, spanning grassroots sport and culture, heritage, and community infrastructure, and its commitment to making a tangible difference across the full range of communities it serves.
Piero Maggio, Asset Operations Direct for Neart na Gaoithe Offshore Wind Farm said:
“It’s great to see the benefits that our collaboration with the Drone Hill onshore wind farm fund is making. This is exactly what our funds are aimed towards – making real and tangible impact to local residents’ lives. From swimming lessons for young people to STEM activities at the local high school to helping fund support for survivors of sexual violence, among others, we are delighted to see the real difference this round of funding is making locally.”
Dickson Leung, Asset Manager of Drone Hill Wind Farm, from Greencoat UK Wind said:
“It is fantastic to see the first award round take place under the newly integrated Fund. It is also encouraging to see Happy Swimmers receiving further support, which demonstrates the Fund's commitment to supporting both new initiatives and established projects. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these projects will have on communities across the fund area.”
Among the community infrastructure projects to receive funding was Eyemouth and District Community Rowing Club, awarded £3,000 towards architect fees. This represents the first phase of a wider project to renovate Coble House, an iconic and heritage-significant building situated in Eyemouth. EDCR are proud to be leading this project to restore a building that is very much a community resource and an important part of Eyemouth's fishing heritage.
Applications are now open, with grants ranging from £500 to £10,000 depending on project scope. The deadline for submissions is 28 June 2026.
Individuals interested in joining the decision-making panel should also get in touch.
For more information please visit the Fund Information page.