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EDF Renewables Longpark Wind Farm Community Fund

Grant size Up to £10,000
Area
Scottish Borders
Key dates  
Application deadline (decision late Mar): 22/01/24
Application deadline (decision June): 08/04/24
Application deadline (decision late Aug): 24/06/24
Application deadline (decision late Nov): 23/09/24

About this fund

The EDF Renewables Longpark Wind Farm Community Fund supports community projects benefiting those living in the Parish of Stow Community Council area in the Scottish Borders. It is provided by EDF Renewables, which owns and operates the Longpark Wind Farm.

The fund was opened in 2010.  An annual amount of £45,000, inflation-adjusted, will be paid into the fund each year for the operating life of the wind farm, which is expected to be 25 years.

Grant Size: £301 - £10,000

Purpose of this fund

The fund provides grants to support charitable activities that:

  • Enhance the quality of life for local residents.
  • Contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities.
  • Promote community spirit and encourage community activity.

Grants may support a wide range of costs, such as equipment, staff or sessional workers, consultations, running costs for local groups, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities, and so on.

Projects which demonstrate a contribution to plans and objectives in the Stow Community Action Plan (published in 2023) are particularly welcome.  

Additional criteria

Applications for grants above the maximum stated above may be considered where the application demonstrates significant impact. Applicants should, however, be guided by the amount of money available to the fund each year (see above), and the number of grant-making rounds, being four per year.  Those wishing to apply for more than the stated maximum are advised to call the Fund Manager (contact details below) to discuss their application before submitting it.  

Some applicants, particularly for higher value funding requests, may wish to request that the application is considered for funding contributions from both EDF Renewables Longpark (administered by Foundation Scotland) and SSE Toddleburn Fund (administered by SSE).  Please contact either the Foundation Scotland or SSE Community Fund Manager to discuss this is advance of submission (see contact details below).  

Who can apply?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in the Parish of Stow area can apply.  You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply, but your group/organisation must meet our standard eligibility criteria

Applications from groups/organisations located out with the fund area will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must demonstrate clear benefits for residents within the fund area.

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here

Additionally, the fund cannot support:

  • The purchase of second-hand vehicles. 
  • Anti-wind farm or anti-renewable energy activities, including activities contrary to the interests of EDF Renewables and its subsidiaries.  

How are decisions made?

A Community Panel made up of people who live, work, or volunteer in the four communities makes recommendations on grant awards from the fund.  The Panel advises on overall fund strategy and is governed by Terms of Reference.

The panel of up to seven members includes a mixture of community councillors and other members of the community:

  • Two Community Council representatives, appointed directly by the Community Council.  
  • Five ‘wider community’ representatives selected through an open and transparent process.  

Each panel member typically serves a minimum of one and a maximum of three years, with members retiring on a phased basis to ensure knowledge and expertise are retained. Opportunities to become a panel member are openly advertised, both locally and on this website.

The panel also makes decisions on applications to the SSE Toddleburn Fund administered by SSE.  

Minutes of the latest panel meetings are available on request from the Community Funds Manager. Contact details can be found below.

More information on the decision process can be found here.

Frequently asked questions

  • What if my project needs less than the minimum grant amount?

    If your grant request is for less than £300 you can apply for a micro-grant administered by the Community Council – see Useful links, below.

  • When must grants be spent by?

    Most grant awards must be spent within one year of being awarded unless otherwise agreed. However, grants awards may be multi-year in nature, usually for no more than three years, where requested and agreed in advance. 
     

How to apply

Please complete the online application form. Completed applications and supporting documents must be received by the application deadline.

If you would like to review the application questions before starting the form, you can see them here.

If you have any problems accessing the form, please email grants@foundationscotland.org.uk or call 0131 524 0300 for help.  

Contact information

For application process and technical enquiries

Central Systems Support

For criteria and fund priority enquiries

Malcolm Jack, Community Funds Manager

Useful links

Fund news

Featured case studies

More EDF Renewables Longpark Wind Farm Community Fund case studies

Read a further selection of case studies detailing some of the projects and activities that have received funding from the EDF Renewables Longpark Wind Farm Community Fund.

From archiving to parks, the fund continues to make a big difference in the Parish of Stow.

View case studies
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