Local services boosted by local wind farm funding

The Glenkens & District Trust (GDT), a community-owned and led vehicle, took on the role of making decisions on how the community benefit monies from the Blackcraig wind farm should be used in 2019. They now also distribute funds provided by Greencoat from its Windy Rig wind farm, both in Dumfries & Galloway. Applications are made to the ‘Glenkens & District Community Fund’ with the Trustees then allocating awards from the individual windfarm funds.

GDT provided support to an array of projects across 2023 and 24, including Propagate for their ‘Glenkens Food Hub project, for which they were awarded £20,200.  The award was made to support the growth and development of the Glenkens Food Hub (now Galloway Food Hub).

The Food Hub is transforming local food systems in Dumfries and Galloway by connecting communities with sustainable, locally-produced food. Operating as a social enterprise, the Hub serves as a vital bridge between local producers and consumers, offering a fortnightly online ordering service for climate and nature-friendly products, with 95% of sales turnover coming from producers within a 30-mile radius. With support from GDT, the Hub has evolved from a small scale initiative into a thriving community asset. Activities included the recruitment of dedicated coordinators, investment in essential equipment including fridges and freezers, and the establishment of a base at the Glenkens Community Centre.

Growth and development of the Hub can be seen over the year in that in one year, the Hub's customer base grew from 30 to 116 households, with monthly sales increasing from £530 to £3,040. The project has created meaningful volunteer opportunities for six community members and strengthened relationships with five local producers who contribute their time. 

A customer survey revealed more than 90% rated the product range as good to very good, with most happy to pay a premium for local, sustainable produce.

Beyond direct sales, the Hub has demonstrated its community value through multiple initiatives. 

It has donated local food to the Stepping Stones food bank, actively participated in local events like The Glenkens Food Month, and collaborated with the Better Lives Partnership on a youth-focused recipe booklet project. Renamed as the Galloway Food Hub, it continues to work to bring healthy, real food to communities across Glenkens.

The food hub champions real, local where possible, climate and nature friendly food. It’s such a positive and much needed cause which myself, the producers, my co-workers, and customers all whole-heartedly believe in and will fight to keep such initiatives alive.

Glenkens Food Hub Coordinator

Another award, of £30,000, was made to New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE) to contribute towards staff costs for the New Galloway Community Shop.  This would enable NGCE to provide flexible employment while they continue to work towards self-sustainability.

New Galloway Community Enterprises (NGCE) is a community benefit society established in 2015 to revitalize and sustain the economic and social wellbeing of New Galloway. NGCE operates the only grocery store in New Galloway village alongside two self-catering holiday flats. When the shop faced closure after nine years on the market, the community rallied to save this vital asset. Through community shares raising £24,090 and National Lottery funding, NGCE purchased and renovated the premises in 2017.

While the venture works towards sustainability, GDT has provided crucial support through a £30,000 grant over three years, helping maintain eight part-time positions and ensuring the village keeps the resource. The project demonstrates community wealth building in action. NGCE creates flexible employment opportunities, particularly benefiting young people entering work and parents returning to employment. The enterprise supports local producers including Galloway Pasta, Balmaclellan eggs, and Dark Art Distillery, strengthening local supply chains.

The shop and holiday accommodation together attract tourist spending into the area while reducing carbon emissions by providing walking-distance groceries for residents. Looking ahead, NGCE is implementing changes to boost sustainability, including developing their own booking website, creating a new role focused on the accommodation, and exploring partnerships with local campsites and activity centres.

This investment helps preserve a vital community asset while supporting NGCE's transition to a sustainable business model.

The Shop meets a number of community and social needs . Many have used working in the Shop as a stepping stone onto other things, and within the shop itself, team members have moved from Assistant to Deputy Manager and Manager.

NGCE Board Report