RWE is pleased to announce that following a competitive tender process Norfolk Community Foundation has been appointed as independent administrator of Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone Community Fund. Recruitment is also underway for the fund panel members who will make the decisions for allocation of projects.
The fund is now open for the first round of applications. This will be an initial discovery funding round through which fund administrators Norfolk Community Foundation and RWE will seek to build an understanding of the specific needs of the communities living nearest to the onshore infrastructure of the wind farm projects. Future rounds of funding will expand to include a wider area, including Great Yarmouth and the county of Norfolk.
The Community Fund is being set up as part of RWE’s offshore wind development activities in Norfolk. In March, RWE acquired the offshore wind development projects Norfolk Vanguard West, Norfolk Vanguard East and Norfolk Boreas. The three projects, each with a planned capacity of 1.4 gigawatts (GW), will be located 47 to 80km off the coast of Norfolk in East Anglia. The three development projects have already secured seabed rights, grid connections, Development Consent Orders and all other key permits and onshore construction activities are underway.
The Norfolk Zone Community Fund is designed to empower local communities to grow greener by helping to build sustainable, resilient and ‘Future Bright’ rural communities in Norfolk. The focus of the fund has been shaped by a programme of consultation, surveys and workshops with local communities which stretches over 8 years, throughout development of the offshore wind projects.
Katy Woodington, RWE Community Investment Manager, shared, "We are excited to launch our partnership with Norfolk Community Foundation and this discovery round of the community fund. It is the start of an opportunity to deliver a flexible fund that can support innovative projects that will not only improve community wellbeing and environmental sustainability but also create lasting legacies that future generations can be proud of. Critically this is about local communities being in the driving seat. We understand that local people know their area best which is why we want to make sure that through the local panel they are in control of funding decisions and the future direction of the fund."
Fund administrator Norfolk Community Foundation has been working with Norfolk communities for over twenty years. Their grant making experience, enthusiasm and passion for local communities, and community-led approach to work make them an ideal fit for the administration of this fund.
Norfolk Community Foundation were appointed through an open tender process and will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective and impactful distribution of the community fund. Working closely with local people a key part of their role will be to build a broad representative local decision-making panel and make sure the fund continues to understand and address community needs over its lifetime.
Claire Cullens, Chief Executive of Norfolk Community Foundation, “At Norfolk Community Foundation, we recognise the passion and commitment of our local communities to create a greener Norfolk. With a wealth of innovative plans and ideas, our communities are poised to make significant environmental strides, given the right funding and support. Partnering with RWE presents us with a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn these ambitions into reality. We can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and get started on this exciting journey together, towards a sustainable future for Norfolk.”
For additional details on applying for the initial discovery funding round, including eligibility criteria and area boundaries, please visit the Fund webpage. The site also provides information about the decision-making panel, the roles of its members, and how to express interest in participating. https://norfolkwind.me/CommunityFund
RWE’s community funds across the UK are all about empowering communities to drive their own development initiatives. The funds have supported a wide range of innovative projects, bringing communities together and having a lasting impact on health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. To learn more about RWE's ‘Future Bright’ community fund programme and the impactful projects supported, visit here.