Photo courtesy of Young Enterprise Scotland
SSE Renewables has awarded more than £69k to four transformational projects in Dumfries and Galloway to help communities recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Community projects that will help local responses to the climate emergency have been supported with Propagate receiving £10k to develop a sustainable food partnership and KPT Development Trust receiving £25k to support an active travel project. These local initiatives have never been more important, as Scotland considers its contribution to a net zero future during COP26.
Other successful projects include an award of £19k to Young Enterprise Scotland to provide entrepreneurship training and support to young people who have been left with reduced opportunities due to the pandemic. The support from Young Enterprise Scotland will help them learn the skills needed to enter new education and employment opportunities.
"Sadly young people have been amongst the most adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with huge disruption to their education and a reduction in opportunities. We can’t let that dent their natural confidence and resilience and encouraging them to be more enterprising is a way to help them meet the unprecedented challenges they face.
Geoff Leask Chief Executive of Young Enterprise Scotland
For that reason, we are absolutely delighted to receive this funding from the SSE Renewables Sustainable Development Fund which will allow us to support young people in Dumfries and Galloway. This will be an exciting and ambitious project which will hugely increase enterprise education opportunities for local young people."
"These are difficult times for those who live and work in Dumfries and Galloway. The funding from Clyde Wind Farm will help the community to build back better. We have prioritised funding projects which help train people for growth employment sectors and provide solutions to the climate emergency."
Lord McConnell Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund
List of projects awarded:
| Applicant | Project Description | Award |
| Young Enterprise Scotland | The D&G Enterprise Education Programme will deliver the full range of Young Enterprise (or YE) Scotland activities to increase entrepreneurial activity and connectivity for local young people | £19,500.00 |
| KPT Development Trust | To develop an active travel path between Penpont and Thornhill | £25,000.00 |
| Propagate CIC | To develop the sustainable food partnership, working for a fair, healthy and sustainable food system | £10,000.00 |
| Shambellie House | To open the house for the community and purchase the equipment for courses for a wide range of groups | £15,000.00 |