A panoramic view of wind turbines on a lush, hilly landscape under a clear blue sky. Mountains are visible in the distance.
Community funds in Scotland

Our community funds at a glance

Scotland

At RWE we recognise our responsibility towards the communities in which we operate. We are committed to continuously improving our performance in this area. Our community investment programme is designed to support sustainable development of communities.

  • Base level of fund

    £28,500

    Date of operation

    2010

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £700,000 index linked

    Fund Administration

    Foundation Scotland administer the fund with all decisions on the allocation of funds being taken by a panel of locally nominated community representatives.

    Area of benefit

    The fund supports communities living within a 10 kilometre radius of the site, for a map showing the area of benefit click here:
    An Suidhe area of benefit

    This includes the communities of Furnace, Inveraray, Eredine and Dalavich.

    Fund set up

    In 2011, a community consultation was undertaken to guide how the fund was set up. To read the report, please click here:
    An Suidhe Community Benefit Consultation

    How can I apply?

    For an application pack, please visit: An Suidhe Wind Farm Community Fund

    Annual Report

    An independent evaluation of the An Suidhe fund was completed in March 2014. To read the report, please click here:

    External evaluation of the An Suidhe community fund
    An Suidhe Wind Farm Community Fund, Fund Report years 1-8
    An Suidhe Wind Farm Community Fund, Awards Summary 21 Nov 2018
    An Suidhe Wind Farm Community Fund, Award Summary 20 Nov 2019


  • Base level of fund

    £5,000 per installed MW per year of operation. This equates to £133,250 per annum and will be index linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

    Date of operation

    2019

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £3.3 million

    Fund Administration

    The Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund is being managed by Foundation Scotland working closely with Watten, Halkirk & District, and Lybster, Latheron and Clyth Community Councils.

    A portion of the fund will be delivered through an exciting Education and Training grant scheme to support individual residents to increase their employment potential.

    Area of benefit

    Latheron, Lybster & Clyth, Halkirk District and Watten

    Fund set up

    In 2013 innogy (formally RWE npower renewables) commissioned an independent charity, Foundation Scotland, to undertake a research project called the Caithness Conversation.  The project invited communities, businesses and other key local stakeholders to give their views as to how future community funds from renewables could benefit the wider Caithness area.

    Following on from this throughout the development of the wind farm innogy has listened to the views of local residents and other key stakeholders. Since 2016 innogy’s Community Investment Team have had regular contact with the three Community Councils closest to the wind farm: Watten, Halkirk & District, and Lybster, Latheron and Clyth Community Councils.  innogy worked with these Community Councils to plan a community consultation which would help to decide the final design of the fund. The consultation took place in the first half of 2018 and consisted of an online questionnaire and a community drop in session.

    How can I apply?

    In Halkirk and District
    RWE Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund (Halkirk & District)

    In Latheron, Lybster and Clyth
    RWE Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund (Latheron, Lybster and Clyth)

    In Watten
    Watten Wind Farm Trust

    Education & training fund
    RWE Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Education & Training Fund


  • Base level of fund

    £4,875 per annum index linked. In addition a lump sum of £23,400 was donated to the Community Councils to kick start the fund.

    Date of operation

    2008

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £145,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Watten Community Council and Foundation Scotland to ensure that decisions about how the fund is allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own communities.

    How can I apply?

    In Tannach
    Tannach and District Wind Farm Trust (distributes Bilbster Tannach monies)

    For education & training in Tannach
    Tannach and District Wind Farm Education & Training Fund

    In Bilbster
    Watten Wind Farm Trust

    Annual report Bilbster Year 2018 - 2019 Annual Report
    Bilbster Year 2020 - 2021 Annual Report

  • Base level of fund

    £5,100 per annum index linked

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £175,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Kiltearn Community Council ensuring that decisions about how the funds are allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own communities.

    How can I apply?

    Please contact Kiltearn Community Council directly.


  • Base level of fund

    £2,000 per annum index linked

    Date of operation

    2006

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £100,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Glenorchy & Innishail and Dunadd Community Councils ensuring that decisions about how the funds are allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own communities.

    How can I apply?

    To make an application, please contact the relevant Community Council directly:
    Website: Glenorchy & Innishail Community Council
    Website: Dunadd Community Council


  • Base level of fund

    £6,250 per annum index linked. In addition a lump sum of £30,000 was donated to the Community Council to kick start the fund.

    Date of operation

    2007

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £180,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Evie & Rendall Community Council ensuring that decisions about how the funds are allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own communities.

    How can I apply?

    To make an application, please contact Evie & Rendall Community Council directly.


  • Base level of fund

    £150,000 index linked

    Date of operation

    2012

    Expected lifetime amount

    over £3.75 million

    Fund Administration

    The Fund is managed by Foundation Scotland but decisions on awards are made by a panel of 12 local people comprising of four representatives from each of the three Community Council areas. Each four is made up of one Community Councillor and three members appointed from the wider community. 10% admin fee paid on top of the fund

    Area of benefit

    This fund is split equally between the three Community Council areas 

    • Latheron, Lybster and Clyth; 
    • Watten; and 
    • Tannach and District.

    Fund set up

    A detailed profile of the communities within the area served by the Fund was prepared by Foundation Scotland, in partnership with Caithness Voluntary Groups and Latheron, Lybster & Clyth Community Development Company. The Profile provides information on: the social, economic and environmental status of the area; the key opportunities and challenges faced by local communities, and; the priorities and views of local residents, businesses and groups. Information from the Profile has informed the development of the Fund Priorities.

    Camster Community Fund – Community Profile

    How can I apply?

    You can find out more about how to apply at: RWE Camster Wind Farm Community Fund.

    For large grants of over £25,000 please send an e-mail to discuss before submitting an application form. There are two rounds of grant-making per Fund year with the following deadlines: 31 March and 30 September. It takes around eight weeks to process applications.

    The Camster Fund also makes microgrants of £2,500 available through the local Community Councils. Microgrants are designed to release small amounts of funding into communities by supporting individuals or small groups of local people and neighbours who want to run local projects that benefit other community members.

    Annual report

    Camster Year 5 Annual Report
    Camster Year 6 Annual Report


  • Base level of fund

    £1,500 per annum index linked

    Date of operation

    2009

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £37,500

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Sunart Community Council ensuring that decisions about how the funds are allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own communities.

    How can I apply?

    To make an application, please contact Sunart Community Council directly.


  • Base level of fund

    £4,500 per annum index linked

    Date of operation

    2016

    Expected lifetime amount

    Around £135,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Achnacarry, Bunarkaig & Clunes Community Group.

    Area of benefit

    Achnacarry, Bunarkaig & Clunes

    How can I apply?

    Please send an e-mail to the Achnacarry, Brunarkaig & Clunes Community Group to apply.


  • Base level of fund

    £10,500 index linked

    Date of operation

    2001

    Expected lifetime amount

    over £260,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is managed as part of the Argyll & Bute Windfarm and Renewables Trust. The trust splits the fund payment equally each year between East Kintyre Community Council and West Kintyre Community Council. The Community Councils then manage the distribution of the funds locally.  Both Community Councils report their fund allocations each year to the AGM of the Trust and those reports are available on the Argyll and Bute Council website here.

    Area of benefit

    West Kintyre and East Kintyre Community Council


  • Base level of fund

    £3,000 per annum index linked

    Date of operation

    2021

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £75,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Taynuilt Community Council ensuring that decisions about how the funds are allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own communities.

    How can I apply?

    To make an application, please contact Taynuilt Community Council directly: https://www.taynuilt.online/community-council-news/


  • Base level of fund

    £830 per annum index linked

    Date of operation

    2000

    Expected lifetime amount

    In the region of £25,000

    Fund Administration

    Sunart Community Council

    Area of benefit

    Glenfarg and Bridge of Earn.

    How can I apply?

    Please contact Sunart Community Council directly.


  • Base level of fund

    £50,000 one off

    Date of operation

    2017 one off contributions

    Expected lifetime amount

    £50,000

    Fund Administration

    Torridon Mountain Rescue Team

    Area of benefit

    Torridon

    Fund set up

    Torridon Mountain Rescue Team had operated for more than 40 years from a walk-in cupboard provided generously Torridon Youth Hostel. In 2017 Torridon Mountain Rescue Team were fundraising to build a new base in the heart of Torridon village. Total c ost of prject was estimated at  £281,250. £50,000 contribution from Grudie hydro scheme helped to complete the funding jigsaw and allow the project to go ahead.

    How can I apply?

    This was a one off contribution.


  • Base level of fund

    £20,000 per annum index linked

    Date of operation

    2011

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £500,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by independent grant making charity Foundation Scotland. In addition to the fund, innogy pays the administration costs of Foundation Scotland. All decisions on the allocation of the funds are made by a local grants panel.

    Area of benefit

    Glenfarg and Bridge of Earn.

    How can I apply?

    For a grant application pack and more information on the fund, please visit RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Fund.

    There is also a Micro Grants scheme in operation for applications under £250. Applications can be made in writing directly to the secretary of Glenfarg and Bridge of Earn Community Councils.

    Annual Report

    To read the Lochelbank Fund Review Report which details all awards made between 2012 and 2014, please click here:
    Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Fund, Fund Report years 4-6
    Lochelbank Fund Review Report 2012-14


  • Base level of fund

    £8,000 per annum index linked

    Date of operation

    2013

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £320,000

    Fund Administration

    The fund is administered by Assynt and Scourie & District Community Councils, ensuring that decisions about how the funds are allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own communities.

    How can I apply?

    To make an application please contact either Assynt, or Scourie & District Community Councils directly.


  • Base level of fund

    £79,602

    Date of operation

    2012

    Expected lifetime amount

    Over £1.8 million

    Fund Administration

    The funds are supported by Ardross, Alness and Kiltearn Community Councils. This means that decisions about how the funds are allocated are made by local representatives for the benefit of their own community.

    Area of benefit

    Ardross, Alness and Kiltearn

    How can I apply?

    To make an application, please contact the secretary of Ardross, Alness or Kiltearn Community Councils.


  • Base level of fund

    £130,000 index linked

    Date of operation

    2010 plus 10 years

    Expected lifetime amount

    10 year period initially been extended for 3 years until 2023

    Fund Administration

    Solway Firth Partnership

    Area of benefit

    Dumfries & Galloway
    Caerlaverock; New Abbey; Kirkbean; Southerness; Colvend and Southwick; Palnackie; Auchencairn; Dundrennan; Kirkcudbright; Borgue

    Cumbria
    Silloth on Solway; Holme Low; Holme St Cuthbert; Allonby; Hayton and Mealo; Outerside and Allerby; Crosscanonby; Maryport; Seaton; Workington; Filmby; Distington; Lowca; Parton; Whitehaven; St Bees

    How can I apply?

    For application forms and guidelines go to: https://www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk/robin-rigg-community-fund/


  • Base level of fund

    £61,000 index linked

    Date of operation

    2013

    Expected lifetime amount

    over £1.5 million

    Fund Administration

    RWE Rosehall and SSE Achany community benefit funds are administered in a unique multi-community and multi-developer collaborative model. Applications for both funds are assessed by a single award-making panel, with representatives from each of the three community council areas. The panel includes representatives who sit on the community council as well as a number of representatives from the wider community. This model has played a vital role in fostering a strong civic ecosystem, building meaningful social relationships, encouraging collective action, and promoting the involvement of local residents.

    Area of benefit

    The Community Council areas of Ardgay & District; Creich; and Lairg within the County of Sutherland.

    Fund set up

    The annual payment to the Fund is divided equally between each of the three Community Council areas.

    How can I apply?

    Application forms and fund guidelines can be found online at: RWE Rosehall Wind Farm Community Fund

    The fund has two application deadlines per year: 30 April and 31 October.

    Annual report

    Rosehall Year 6 Annual Report
    Rosehall Year 7 Annual Report
    Rosehall Year 8 Annual Report
    Rosehall Year 9 Annual Report
    Rosehall Year 10 Annual Report
    Rosehall Year 11 Annual Report
    Rosehall Year 12 Annual Report
    Rosehall Year 13 Annual Report


In your community

Funding sustainable communities

Read more

Funds in England

Find out more about RWE’s community funds in England.

Read more

Funds in Wales

Learn more about RWE’s community funds in Wales.

Read more