- November 22 deadline for applications to SSEN Transmission’s first regional community benefit fund
- Funding available from a minimum of £40,000 up to £500,000 for projects supporting places and people
Organisations across the north of Scotland are being urged to apply for a share of £2 million from SSEN Transmission’s first ever community benefit fund, ahead of the deadline for applications on Friday 22 November.
With less than two weeks left until the application window closes, SSEN Transmission is encouraging people to apply for funding from a minimum amount of £40,000 up to £500,000 for initiatives that aid skills development, support cultural projects, and help alleviate fuel poverty.
There has been strong initial interest in the company’s regional community benefit fund, which opened at the start of September and welcomes applications from across its transmission network area in the north of Scotland.
The fund’s inaugural Chair, Peter Peacock, said: “We have received a high number of enquiries regarding our fund to deliver transformational impact and improve places and the lives of people in the north of Scotland.
“With less than two weeks left for applications to our regional fund, we remain keen to hear more good ideas that will help with skills and employability, create stronger places and further enrich their culture, and help alleviate fuel poverty.
“We encourage anyone with ideas that will deliver positive benefits to apply ahead of our final deadline of 22 November, and we look forward to announcing successful applications early next year.”
Any project that benefits communities located within the SSEN Transmission network area may be eligible to apply for our opening Regional Fund. Eligibility for the Regional Fund is not contingent on proximity to infrastructure.
To be eligible for funding from our opening Regional Fund, applicants will have to be a legally constituted community group, a non-profit organisation, or a registered charity. Further information will be available via our web pages www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/information-centre/community-benefit-fund
Our Local Funds, which we expect to launch soon, will be available solely to communities who are situated close to new infrastructure. The focus for these funds will be developed through discussions with communities, ensuring that local priorities are supported.
Following a UK Government announcement on community benefits from transmission infrastructure in November 2023, SSEN Transmission estimates the value of future community funds from our current investment plans to be in of excess of £100m. This is subject to the details of the finalised Government guidance and approval from Ofgem and is expected to apply to all major, new transmission infrastructure in the UK.