Community organisations across the North of Scotland have received a funding boost of over £2 million, delivered through SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund.
A share of £2.37 million has been awarded to 14 projects that will help aid skills development, support the culture of the region, or help alleviate fuel poverty.
Several Highlands-based projects will receive support to grow local skills, improve community facilities, and help tackle fuel poverty. These include:
For You Training (Farmer Jones Academy) – £149,180
Developing a community innovation campus in Tain, bringing new opportunities in education, tourism and sustainability to the Highlands.
Sarah Mackenzie, CEO of For You Training, said, “We are absolutely delighted to receive funding from the SSEN Transmission Regional Community Benefit Fund. Gro For You Community Innovation Campus is a transformational project set to create sustainable communities for now and future generations to come. The funding will support us at a critical time, enabling us to build our capacity and fully maximise our campus assets to support skills development for future workforces, community capacity building and health and wellbeing.”
Growing2gether – £199,379
Expanding a programme that strengthens the mental health, life skills and qualifications of disadvantaged young people in Moray and the Highlands.
Gavin Morgan, Co-CEO, Growing2gether, said, “We are delighted and grateful to the SSEN Transmission Regional Fund for this important grant which, over the next two years, will support us to expand and strengthen Growing2gether in Partnership. With SSEN Transmission’s support, we will build the mental health, life skills and qualifications of young people facing disadvantage, creating leaders who contribute positively to their communities. We know that when young people find their voice and come together, they don’t just build a community – they become the force that transforms it.”
New Start Highland – £95,327
Establishing the Highland Hospitality and Cookery School, providing skills, training and qualifications for people facing barriers to work in the hospitality sector.
James Dunbar, chief executive of New Start Highland said, “We are so grateful for this investment which will make a transformative difference to people across the Highlands. With this funding, we can launch our hospitality training programmes and cookery school, giving individuals who face barriers to employment real opportunities to build confidence, develop new skills and gain recognised qualifications which will help them on a path to brighter futures in the Highland hospitality sector.”
Eden Court Highlands – £65,742
Delivering Film Futures, a creative programme helping young refugees and asylum seekers in the Highlands build confidence, employability and community connections.
Euan Borland, Head of Engagement at Eden Court, said, “Eden Court and Compass Collective are delighted to have been awarded funding through the SSEN Transmission Regional Fund for Screen Sparks. This funding will enable us to work with young refugees and asylum seekers in the Highlands using filmmaking and performance skills to support the development of key employability skills. Together we will create transformational change for young people who face barriers to entering the workforce.”
Over £100m expected for communities across the North of Scotland
This latest round of awards brings the total investment from the Regional Community Benefit Fund to more than £4 million since its launch last year.
These awards are among the first delivered as part of SSEN Transmission’s commitment to provide more than £100 million in community benefit across the north of Scotland, enabled by its investment in new electricity infrastructure that supports the country’s clean power and energy security ambitions.
Funding will continue to be distributed through a series of regional and local funds linked to existing and proposed projects, ensuring positive impacts and a lasting legacy for local communities.
Independent Chair of the Regional Community Benefit Fund, Peter Peacock, said, “We’re proud to support these outstanding organisations as they deliver real lasting benefits for communities. Each project reflects the hard work of those building strong, resilient places – whether through skills and employability, improving local facilities, or helping to tackle fuel poverty. We had a high level of interest in the second round of the fund, with a very strong standard of applications, and our thanks go to all who applied. We now look forward to seeing the positive impact of this funding.”
Gary Hughes, Economic Development Manager at SSEN Transmission, added, “These awards show our commitment to ensuring that critical electricity infrastructure delivers real benefits for local communities. Between our regional fund and the local funds we are creating, more than £100m will be made available for community benefit across the north of Scotland. This is just one of the positive legacies our investment is delivering as we work to strengthen energy security and support the transition to clean power.”