Foundation Scotland wins Scottish Green Energy Award

Foundation Scotland has won the Best Engagement Award for their partnership with Vattenfall’s South Kyle Windfarm at last night’s Scottish Green Energy Awards.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Rachel Searle, Head of Communities and Impact at Foundation Scotland said: “This award is a great testament to a group of volunteers that Foundation Scotland has worked with over the last three years to design and develop the incoming South Kyle Community Benefit Fund. With the South Kyle Working Group, made up of representatives from the communities of Carsphairn, Patna, Dalmellington and New Cumnock – most of whom give their time voluntarily – we’ve listened to the wider community, learnt from others, tested some approaches and taken stock about how community benefit can help turn the dial towards building community wealth and wellbeing.

"It is also a testament to Vattenfall for having the foresight to give the fund set-up time and attention. Supporting the communities with implementing the finalised design will be the next stage of this exciting journey.”

In their nomination for Foundation Scotland, Vattenfall UK said: “Foundation Scotland’s engagement work for South Kyle Wind Farm has put the community in the driving seat and set a precedent for accelerating impact and building capacity when considering community benefit funds. Foundation Scotland have innovated and pioneered to work with South Kyle’s four contrasting local communities to make sure the community benefit fund generates lasting benefits for future generations. This approach is building local capacity, empowering groups and will ensure the fund and its wealth-building impacts are sustainable.”

Rachel Searle added: ‘We would also like to congratulate all the finalists, who are working hard to ensure the renewable industry continues to pioneer community partnerships that generate so much more than electricity."