innogy Launches Flexible Wind Farm Fund To Increase Employment Potential

26th September 2019

· Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Education & Training Fund created to benefit local residents.

· £133,250 fund per annum now open for applications from residents and community groups.

Following extensive local consultation on the use of the renewables community fund associated with Bad á Cheò Wind Farm, innogy Renewables UK is delighted that local community councils have agreed to increase its flexibility by distributing the monies not only to community groups but also to individual residents for the purposes of increasing their employment potential.

Now open for applications, the Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund, valued at £133,250 per annum and index linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI), will enable the funding of local community projects as well as bursaries to access training and education opportunities for individuals living within the community council areas of Latheron, Lybster & Clyth, Halkirk District and Watten.

A small set of drop-in sessions will take place in the next few weeks to enable residents to find out more about accessing the fund. All residents are invited to attend and speak to Foundation Scotland representatives to discuss any opportunities relevant to them. Further dates will be arranged in the coming months.

Watten Hall: Thursday 26th September 3pm - 6pm

Scotscalder Hall: Tuesday 1st October 4pm - 7pm

Latheron Hall: Wednesday 2nd October 3pm - 6pm

Katy Woodington, innogy Renewables UK's Community Investment Manager, said: "During the Caithness Conversations held in 2013, and subsequent discussions with community council representatives, many residents have highlighted the need for locals to have access to bursaries to fund education and training, that could provide them with the range of skills required to enter into, or retain employment in key sectors in Caithness.

"We are delighted that the panel has agreed to make access to the fund more flexible and in doing so, to address a key aspect of the local consultation on fund distribution. This innovative approach provides an opportunity for both the local community and potentially the wider area to benefit from this significant investment."

The Bad á Cheò Wind Farm Community Fund will be managed by Foundation Scotland on behalf of the funding panel. Caithness-based Foundation Scotland Development Manager, Eilidh Coll, said: "This scheme will hopefully give people a helping hand who are planning to do a course or undertake some training. It could help people improve their life chances and potentially help them gain new or different employment.

Deadlines for applications to the Community Fund will vary across the areas and can be viewed at

https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/programmes/bad-a-cheo/

To contact Eilidh Coll please email: [email protected]

Further information about Bad á Cheò Wind Farm can be found at www.innogy.com/badacheo