Community groups across North Lincolnshire are being urged to share their ‘big idea’ and take advantage of the new SSE North Lincolnshire Sustainable Development Fund.
Created as part of the £8.5m community benefit programme from SSE’s Keadby wind farm, the fund is available to non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities from across the North Lincolnshire region. Up to £300,000 in grants will be available in this first round, with further funding rounds annually.
Successful projects must demonstrate the potential for transformational change and meet one of three priority areas:
- Increase job opportunities and employment in North Lincolnshire
- Enable the development of community energy schemes
- Enhance North Lincolnshire’s natural and built environment
The minimum application value is £10,000 and additional weighting will be given to projects that will benefit areas near to Keadby wind farm. The fund will close for expressions of interest on 13 April with full applications required by 18 May.
An independent panel chaired by the deputy leader of North Lincolnshire Council, Cllr John Briggs, alongside experts from Citizen’s Advice, Job Centre, UK Council of Sustainable Development and the Humber Nature Partnership will then decide on final fund awards in July.
Cllr Briggs said: “The Sustainable Development Fund represents a golden opportunity for communities to kick-start a transformational project in their local area. With less than a month to go, I’d urge anyone who has a ‘big idea’ for their community to apply now.
“With £300,000 available in the first funding round – and over £4m over the coming decades – I’m excited about the long-term benefits the fund could bring to North Lincolnshire and its communities.”
Graeme Keddie, Head of Community Investment at SSE, said: “The Sustainable Development Fund will operate in tandem with the local fund in Keadby allowing the benefits from the wind farm to be directed to broader community initiatives, in scale, impact and in the long-term value they will deliver.
“Over its lifetime, the fund will create jobs, support community ambitions and protect and enhance local heritage. I’m looking forward to seeing some quality applications come forward before next month’s deadline.”
The North Lincolnshire Sustainable Development Fund will provide over £4.25m in community benefit across the region in the next 25 years. This is in addition to the local Keadby wind farm community fund, which will provide £4.25m of community funding in the Axholme North ward. Both funds are administered by North Lincolnshire Council on behalf of SSE.
To find out more about either fund, or to download an expression of interest form, visit here.