Huge windfall for local projects in Aberdeenshire and Moray
The Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund has awarded £97,000 to nine community projects across Aberdeenshire and Moray.
The Fund, which is provided by wind farm owner and operator Vattenfall and administered by Foundation Scotland, supports projects and initiatives that enhance community life and improve residents' well-being in Huntly, Strathbogie and Tap o’Noth, and the area served by the Cabrach Community Association.
All funding decisions are made by a local panel, made up of community members whose local experience and familiarity with the places they live are vital to ensure the Fund remains community focused, and that decisions are made with knowledge and insight.
In this latest round of funding, the largest award was made to Glass Community Association, who were awarded £22,357 to develop Glass Hall into a warm hub to welcome the whole community.
The Cabrach Trust was awarded £15,570 to support their riverbank restoration project along the River Deveron, bolstering their conservation education programme as well as supporting volunteering opportunities. And Networks of Wellbeing was awarded £21,200 to deliver local wellbeing services and help build community resilience in the Clashindarroch area.
Fiona Alderson Service manager at Networks of Well-being said:
Networks of Wellbeing is delighted to have been awarded funding from the Clashindarroch Community Fund and would thank the panel for their support for the work that we do. This funding will allow us to continue to support people from within the local area, and to do so at a time when demand for support from the third sector has never been higher.
Gordon Primary School PTA also received funding to the tune of £13,625, to buy and install playground equipment for local children, while Full Colour Coaching secured £12,943 to deliver a 12-month programme supporting young people's mental health. Huntly Amateur Swimming Club was awarded £5,000 for replacement diving blocks.
Smaller grants included £2,837 to St Andrews Church for external fabric improvements to Glass Church, £1,994 to Aurora Productions for backstage improvements at Stewarts Hall, and £1,377 to Drumblade Parent Council for their annual school pantomime trip.
Berry Jordan of Vattenfall UK said:
It’s great to see that in almost 10 years, the Clashindarroch Wind farm Community fund has helped so many local organisations and projects support local people and their needs, - long may that vital community support continue. I look forward to seeing what projects come forward in 2025.
The Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund panel meets three times per year to award funds secured from Vattenfall’s Clashindarroch Wind Farm. The next closing date for the fund is the 31st January 2025.
Read more about the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund here.