Tievenameenta Community Benefit Fund opens for applications for Tyrone communities 

Previous recipients of the Tievenameenta Community Benefit Fund, Martina Doyle and Christine Pendry, are pictured gardening and harvesting strawberries - just one of the many initiatives supported by the fund. 

SSE has announced that the Tievenameenta Community Fund has opened for applications offering approximately £85,000 in funding to power local change through projects that make a meaningful difference in the community.
 
Since 2017, the Tievenameenta Community Fund has provided more than £760,000 in support of the local community, and this year's fund will see a further £85,000 added to that funding pot. Community groups and projects within a 12-mile radius of Tievenameenta Wind Farm in Co. Tyrone are invited to apply, with preference given to those within 3 miles.
 
The fund is designed to support community projects that address local challenges through innovative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Funding is available for initiatives that focus on community development, energy efficiency, climate action or enhance safety.  
 
One recent example of the fund’s impact is The Forge Family Resource Centre in Pettgo, Co. Donegal, which was awarded £4,500 to transform a hilltop urban space into a vibrant community garden. The project provided gardening equipment, plants, and training courses, enabling community members to learn new skills and connect with nature.
 
Highlighting the fund’s impact, Cathy Mangan-Fry, a participant in the gardening group, shared:
 
“Receiving support from SSE Renewables has brought this project and our community together in a way we never imagined. Learning to garden and sharing the harvest has given us a beautiful space to connect, relax, and enjoy nature overlooking the town.”
 
Another significant initiative was undertaken by the Ederny Community Development Trust, which secured multi-year funding totalling £150,000 over five years for the enhancement of a shared community centre in Ederney, Co. Fermanagh. The proposed two-storey extension to the existing facility will incorporate sports courts, changing rooms, a dedicated space for a local youth club, and a versatile hall designed to accommodate events, workshops, and various community gatherings.
 
Encouraging local groups to apply, Pádraig Fitzgerald, SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager said:
 
“We’re proud to continue supporting communities near Tievenameenta Wind Farm through our Community Benefit Fund. The Forge Family Resource Centre and Ederney Community Development Trust are excellent examples of what difference the funding can make locally in Tyrone. Each year, we see inspiring projects that bring people together and create lasting impact. We look forward to supporting even more initiatives in 2025.”
 
The Tievenameenta Wind Farm Community Fund is now open for online applications, which close on Friday, 14 November. To apply, visit sserenewables.com/TievFund.
For questions or support, applicants are encouraged to contact the Community Investment Manager at NICommunityFund@sse.com.