The Sustainable Development Fund is in addition to our local community funds and supports strategic projects in the regions where SSE is operating. It allows the benefits of our renewable energy developments to be accessible to a wider area and is directed to projects that can achieve significant impact in local communities. We expect the fund could be worth over £57 million over the next 25 years.

SDF celebrated 10 years of delivery in November 2023. Since then, £13.5m has been invested in almost 240 community projects across the regions we operate in. An evaluation of the fund can be found here.

View the video below to hear from some of the communities that have secured funding and hear the views of the independent panel that makes awards from the fund.


Project eligibility

The community fund can support projects which:

  • Creating opportunities – increase opportunities for education and employment
  • Empowering communities – build resilience and protect vulnerable residents
  • Building sustainable places – stimulate meaningful community regeneration

Projects in the following areas can apply:

  • Dumfries and Galloway
  • Highlands
  • North Lincolnshire
  • Perth and Kinross
  • Scottish Borders
  • South Lanarkshire

You can find out who is eligible to apply here.

Fund timetable

Area

Status

Contact

Dumfries and Galloway

Closed - due to open in spring 2025

Craig Mullen (contact details below)

Highlands

Closed - due to open in autumn 2025

Tom Black (contact details below)

North Lincolnshire

Open

Managed in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council:

[email protected]

T: 01724 296926

Perth and Kinross

Closed - due to open in spring 2025

Tom Black (contact details below)

Scottish Borders

Closed - due to open in spring 2025

Craig Mullen (contact details below)

South Lanarkshire

Closed - due to open in autumn 2024

Craig Mullen (contact details below)

More information