Climate smart funding in the north of Scotland

Vattenfall Unlock Our Future fund has awarded nearly half a million pounds to over 50 climate-smart projects over the past four years in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

In September 2022, an event was held to celebrate the achievements of the Vattenfall Unlock our Future Fund, which supports projects in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire contributing towards a climate-smart future. In 2022, 12 awards were made, totalling £140,375. This means in the first four years of the fund, a total of 52 awards have been made, with £482,972 in funding allocated to projects which are investing in community facilities which are fit for the future. 

“It is an honour for me to stand here on behalf of Vattenfall and meet such great minded, enthusiastic and climate smart and environmentally driven community champions. Your projects support Vattenfall business strategy of becoming Fossil Free within one generation in various ways including contributing to a climate smarter world with sustainability at its core, ensuring a legacy and lasting impact which brings benefit to the local community.”

 

Mimi Mwasame, Stakeholder & Community Engagement Manager, Offshore Wind, Vattenfall

The event was attended by community groups who had received awards this year, along with previous grantees, members of the local panel who made decisions about the use of the fund and representatives from Vattenfall.

Among the community groups receiving awards who shared their plans with the group were:

• Inverurie Loco Works Football Club received £15,000 to upgrade the floodlights to LED floodlights creating substantial energy savings and ensuring that the facility can effectively run and remain a vital part of the community.
• Charlie House is creating a purpose-built specialist care centre in Grampian to support children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions and their families through their palliative and end-of-life care needs. The £30,000 awarded by the Unlock Our Future fund will go towards the cost of including sustainable elements in the build to lower the project's carbon footprint, including effective insulation, double glazing and photovoltaic panels. 
• Alford Valley Community Railway is a Community Benefit Society committed to re-instating the Alford Valley narrow gauge railway that fell into disrepair in 2017. When the railway is back up and running, it will be a thriving and popular visitor attraction for Alford. They were awarded £15,000 towards the cost of ensuring the project is a low-carbon and low-energy-efficient community venue. 

Dr Susan Osbeck reflected on the achievements of funded projects so far:

“Since the Unlock our Future Fund began, the panel have seen an amazing selection of inspiring projects, that are helping to improve our environment and communities. This year has been no exception, with many great applications being received. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate the success of our awardees in person this time, and to hear how successful the projects of past awardees have been. The panel and I wish this year's awardees similar success.”

 

Dr Susan Osbeck, Unlock our Future Fund Panel Chair