Ventient Energy Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund (Fyvie & Rothienorman)

About this fund

This fund supports charitable projects that benefit people living in the Fyvie and Rothienorman sub-divisions of the Fyvie, Rothienorman and Monquitter Community Council area. Ventient Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund is part of Ventient Energy, the Gordonstown Hill Wind Farm owner in Aberdeenshire. 

The fund was established in 2013 and will be available for the operating life of the wind farm, expected to be 25 years. In 2020, the annual contribution to the fund was just over £13,500. The total available in the next round of grant making is £6011.49, and the next donation into the fund is due February 2022.

The minimum grant available from this fund is £501.

Find out more about the difference this fund is making in the latest Fund Report.

Purpose of this fund

The fund supports charitable activity that will sustain and develop the life of the community and ensure that the area is an attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit. It does this by making grants to support the costs of relevant projects, services, and facilities. 

Applications are expected to demonstrate how they contribute to the objectives set out in either the Fyvie or Rothienorman Place Standard reports or Community Action Plans; however, it is not essential that the activity is contemplated or planned in these documents. See Fyvie Community Action Plan 2017 (including Place Standard report). The Rothienorman Community Action Plan is yet to be completed. 

Additional criteria

Where possible and as appropriate, applications should demonstrate how they meet the following additional criteria:

• Additional funding: That other possible funding sources for the project have been explored.  This might include applicants raising some funds through their own fundraising efforts.  The Fund should not displace funding that could be obtained from other sources but should help lever in additional funds if possible.  Additionally, it should not reduce community-based groups’ commitment to organising local activities that contribute to a vibrant community calendar and promote community spirit.  Ideally, applicants can demonstrate that a percentage of the total project cost will be obtained from other sources, including the applicant organisation itself, which might be in a position to contribute to the project cost.  In exceptional circumstances, 100% funding may be considered.
• Local procurement: Local suppliers will be used to provide goods and services, where appropriate (e.g. in terms of quality of products/services available) and feasible (in terms of availability and cost). The meaning of ‘local’ will vary depending on the nature and availability of the item/service in question. In some cases, it could be taken to mean Formartine and the surrounding area, but in others, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire or indeed the North East of Scotland might be most appropriate. 
• Sustainable development: that consideration has been given to helping achieve sustainable development, including minimising the environmental impact of projects and reducing the applicant’s ‘carbon footprint’. 
• Local consultation: The applicant has consulted an appropriate number of the project's intended beneficiaries and can demonstrate they are supportive of the proposal. The applicant has consulted other community groups where appropriate. 
• Partnership working: The applicant has considered whether delivering the proposed project in partnership with other organisations or groups will add value (financial, capability, or other). This could involve working with voluntary, private or public sector bodies that operate at a local, regional or national level. 

Who can apply?

Groups, businesses and organisations working to benefit people living in any of the Fyvie or Rothienorman can apply for a grant. Your group or organisation must also meet our standard eligibility criteria. It does not need to be a registered charity to apply. 

Private businesses can also apply where the proposed project fits with the charitable aims of the fund, provides significant public benefit, cannot be funded from the business's own funds, and where any private benefit arising from the grant would be incidental.

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here. 

How are decisions made?

Recommendations on grant awards are made by a Sub-group appointed by the Fyvie, Rothienorman & Monquhitter Community Council, which has delegated powers. The Sub-group also guides the overall strategy for the fund. 

The Sub-group comprises elected members of the Community Council from the sub-divisions of Fyvie and Rothienorman, three from Fyvie and three from Rothienorman. Each member serves for a maximum of three years, with members retiring on a phased basis to ensure knowledge and expertise are retained. Members are eligible for re-nomination by the Community Council.

Current Sub-group members:

Fyvie	Rothienorman
Bill Miaziak	Linda Charles
Lynn Cleaver	Louise Will
Kevin Pirie	Bryan Davidson
Doreen Towler (Community Memeber)	Laraine Thomson (Community Member)

 

 

The Sub-group meets to make decisions on applications twice each year, in May/June and October/November. Minutes of the latest panel meetings are available on request from the Community Funds Adviser. Their contact details can be found below.

More information on the award making process is available here.