£180,000 windfall for local groups celebrated at Kings Baton Relay
The Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund has awarded funding to eighteen community groups across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire.
Eighteen community groups across Aberdeen City and Shire will share a total of £181,000 from the Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund, supporting practical climate projects which will lower carbon emissions and improve local facilities and services. The awards were celebrated at a King’s Baton Relay event held at Beannachar Camphill in Aberdeen on 10th July.
The King’s Baton is travelling around Scotland in the build-up to the 74th Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, which will be held in Glasgow. The visit to Aberdeen saw the Baton Relay team learning about the latest developments in offshore wind energy, including Vattenfall’s Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm and seeing the impact that community benefit funds provided by companies like Vattenfall are having locally.
Many of the Vattenfall awards this year were related to energy efficiency and included funding for lighting, glazing and insulation improvements as well as the installation of a range of renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage systems.
Beannachar Camphill Community received £14,709 to fund a polytunnel and electric mower and cargo bike to support young adults with learning disabilities to develop work skills and reach their full potential.
Multiple organisations received funding to improve the comfort of their community spaces, while also reducing running costs and carbon emissions. These included the 1st Banchory Scouts, Alford and District Men’s Shed, Bairnecessities Baby Bank, Criagievar Community Hall, Daviot Community Trust, Fraserburgh All Weather Sports Facility, Forglen Hall, Lumsden Community Association, Camphill Community, Stella’s Voice and Westhill Community Church.
Other groups received grants for LED lighting and equipment upgrades which will save money, lower energy usage and also improve volunteer and user experiences. These included Men United Peterhead, McRobert Park Association and Aberdeen Performing Arts.
Small grants were made to Durris Kirkton Hall for heating controls, to Ruthrieston Community Centre for a bike repair station and to FoodLink NE to help establish local food hubs to improve access to locally grown food in Aberdeenshire.
“We’re proud to see the Vattenfall Unlock Our Future Fund helping communities turn climate ambition into everyday impact. At Beannachar, funding has supported lower-carbon transport and grounds maintenance, renewed growing spaces, and created practical opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities to build confidence, skills and wellbeing through organic food growing. It is a powerful example of how renewable energy benefit funds can deliver lasting local value, reducing emissions while helping people, communities and places thrive.”
Now in its eighth year, the Vattenfall Unlock our Future Fund has already supported over 100 community groups with more than £1 million in grants awarded to projects focussed on environmental initiatives, reducing carbon emissions and improving community services and spaces, each one making a difference to local groups and residents. These projects not only cut carbon, but result in lower running costs, warmer spaces and happier communities.
The Fund is provided by Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Vattenfall, and is administered by Foundation Scotland. The fund will open again in 2027 and groups with project ideas are encouraged to contact Foundation Scotland for advice and support with their application. You can contact Marion McDonald on 07912 759524 or email marion@foundationscotland.org.uk
The fund will open again in 2027. For more information visit the Fund Information Page.