Ventient Energy Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Benarty)

About this fund

Ventient Energy Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund (Benarty) can support community projects benefitting those living in the Benarty Community Council area. This charitable fund is provided by Westfield Wind Farm Limited (WWFL), the owner and operators of the Westfield wind farm in Fife. WWFL is a subsidiary of Ventient Energy and also provides funds to the neighbouring communities of Kinglassie and Cardenden. 

Since opening in 2014, an annual amount is paid into the fund for the wind farm's operating life, which is expected to be 25 years. This sum is adjusted for inflation, and in 2020 £10,950 was received.

Key Information & Dates:

In 2024 the Benarty Fund Panel will be distributing funding through a Participatory Grantmaking Event in May.  For this round only the maximum grant size has increased to £4,000. 

9th of March 2024 at 11am, the Fund is hosting a coffee morning

Come and hear about how the Fund is being used, and plans for a Participatory Grantmaking Event which will take place in May at the Benarty Community Centre!  Find out more details and how to apply!

22nd April 2024 - Closing date for applications being submitted for the Participatory Grantmaking Event 

The Foundation Scotland Team will check that your application fulfils the usual eligibility criteria and then summarise your proposed project and costs.  Information about all applications will then be shared publicly ahead of the voting event in May. 

11th of May 2024 the Participatory Grantmaking Event will take place 

You are warmly invited to the Benarty Community Centre to vote for the groups you wish to see supported.

Further information please contact Felicity on 0131 524 0300 or felicity@foundationscotland.org.uk

(Please note that no other funding rounds will take place in 2024).

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.

Grant requests to support a wide range of costs and activities will be considered e.g. equipment costs, running costs for local groups, staff or sessional workers, consultations and maintenance or refurbishment of community facilities and more. 

Grant requests for projects aligned with priorities identified in the Benarty Community Action Plan would be particularly welcome (see 'Useful links' below).  

Additional criteria

There is a limit of one application per year from any group or organisation, however, that application may include costs towards a number of different projects.

Applications for grants above the maximum stated above may be considered where the applicant demonstrates a significant impact. If you wish to apply for more than the maximum stated above, please contact the Fund Coordinator (see below) to discuss your proposed project before completing the application.

There is a limit of one application per year from any group or organisation, however, that application may include costs towards a number of different projects.

 

Who can apply?

Groups and organisations working to benefit people in the Benarty Community Council area can apply. Your organisation must meet our standard eligibility criteria. 

You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply but must be set up to operate on a not-for-profit basis. The Panel particularly welcomes applications from groups that haven’t previously applied to the fund. 

What can’t be funded?

Information on what the fund cannot support is provided here.

How are decisions made?

A local panel of people aged 16 or over who live, work or volunteer in the Benarty area makes recommendations on grants awarded from the fund. The Westfield Wind Farm Community Fund Benarty Panel also advises on fund strategy. The panel can have up to nine members and comprises: 

• two representatives appointed by the Benarty Community Council 
• two representatives appointed by the Benarty Community Forum
• the local Community Education Worker
• a representative of the local primary schools 
• up to four members who are appointed from the wider community. 

Panel members are expected to serve for two to three years.  If you would like to find out more about joining the panel, please contact the Community Funds Adviser.  

Minutes of the latest Panel meetings are available on request from the Community Funds Adviser. Contact details can be found below. More information on the award making process is available here.