OREANDA-NEWS. August 27, 2015. SSE is inviting applications to a new community fund targeted at ‘transformational’ local projects in Dumfries and Galloway.

The Dumfries and Galloway Sustainable Development Fund is open to non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities across the region.   Successful projects will have the potential to deliver transformative benefit to a local community and meet one of three priority areas:  

  • Increase job opportunities and employment;
  • Enable the development of community energy projects; or
  • Enhance the area’s natural and built environment.  

SSE has provided the fund as part of community benefit arrangements for its onshore wind projects in and around Dumfries and Galloway, including Balmurrie Fell near Stranraer and Clyde Extension near Moffatt, which commenced construction in July. 

An independent panel chaired by former First Minister of Scotland Lord Jack McConnell will decide on grant awards from the fund.  Additional weighting will be given to applications from areas close to SSE’s wind farms and projects which demonstrate innovation and evidence of wide community support.

The application deadline for this initial round is 30 September 2015.  The fund is expected to open again in late 2016.

Fund guidelines and an expression of interest form can be downloaded from www.sse.com/sustainablefund and any enquiries should be directed to Gareth Shields, SSE Community Funds Manager, on 0141 224 7712.

Lord McConnell, Chairman of the fund panel said: 

“This SSE Sustainable Development Fund is an exciting opportunity for communities across Dumfries and Galloway to realise their ambitions and build stronger local economies. Projects funded elsewhere in Scotland are already making a real difference.  Funding of this scale can create jobs and transform communities to leave a lasting legacy for the future.  I look forward to judging an inspiring set of applications when the panel meets in November.”

Alan Young, Managing Director, Corporate Affairs at SSE, said: 

“SSE is a company for the long-term that believes in sharing the value of its major developments with the communities that host them.  

“The Sustainable Development Fund is an example of how we are working alongside communities to maximise the benefit of this opportunity, both now and for the future.”