Annandale and Nithsdale

Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company (ANCBC) is funded by ScottishPower Renewables community benefit fund for Harestanes wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway.  The fund primarily supports projects located within or directly benefiting one or more of 42 community council areas in Annandale and Nithsdale as detailed below.

ANCBC is a company limited by guarantee with a voluntary Board of twelve directors elected from the membership. Members are nominated by each of the community councils.

The fund  began grant making in 2015. It is anticipated that an annual amount of £300,000 will be paid into the fund for the operating life of the wind farm.Foundation Scotland manages the grant-making process on behalf of the company and supports the ANCBC board.

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in the following areas can apply to the fund. Your group must have a constitution (a governing document or set of rules) and be set up on a not for profit basis. It does not need to be a registered charity to apply.

ANCBC will support charitable activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities within the area of benefit. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including equipment, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional worker costs, consultations, maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and capital costs to purchase or develop community assets.

Applications which address any of the following issues are particularly welcome:

• Community facilities, services, rural transport, affordable housing, community development

• Community or local events

• Environmental projects

• Heritage

• Skills, employment, tourism, reducing poverty and disadvantage, improving rural business opportunities, building the capacity of community and voluntary organisations, supporting innovation and social enterprise

• Sport, recreation and improving the health of residents

• Youth and education, tackling out migration of young people, achieving parity with national educational attainment levels

• Promoting care and support of vulnerable people; improving community safety.

How to Apply