The SSE Renewables Community Fund is giving community groups in Co Derry/Londonderry the chance to apply for financial support for their projects from the 2023 fund. Community organisation, schools and sports clubs in the area around Northern Ireland’s largest wind farm, Slieve Kirk near Limavady, can apply to the £170,000 fund - which is one of the largest community funds in Northern Ireland.
Since the SSE Renewables Community Fund was launched it has provided more than £4m to more than 1300 community projects in Northern Ireland. The Slieve Kirk Community Fund has awarded more than £2.7m to community projects and to students through the SSE Renewables Scholarship Award.
The 2023 community fund opens today, Monday 5th June until Friday 30th June for online applications within a 12-mile radius of Slieve Kirk Wind Park, with preference given to projects within three miles. £170,000 will be available to support community projects with a focus on; Community Development, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability / Climate Action and / or Safety. To maximise 2023, projects with a focus on Energy Efficiency will receive additional points to help communities to join SSE in the transition to a net zero future.
SSE Renewables is the leading developer and operator of renewable energy in Northern Ireland and is the power behind leading greener energy provider and sister company SSE Airtricity. Over the last two decades SSE Renewables has invested over £500m in the Northern Ireland economy through renewable energy developments. The company owns 121.5MW of operational onshore wind farms in locations across Northern Ireland, including the 73MW Slieve Kirk Wind Park.
"For more than a decade the SSE Renewables Community Fund has supported community groups, sports clubs, cultural organisations and schools, as they provide vital services to local people. We are proud to have been part of the delivery of a range of sustainability and energy efficiency projects, which have helped to improve facilities and help communities groups deliver more and more projects which have a positive impact.
Michelle Donnelly SSE Renewables Community Investment Manager
The communities around Slieve Kirk have benefited from £2.7m since 2013, and this year we can reach even more projects with the 2023 SSE Renewables Community Fund.
Among the projects to receive funding last year was ASPACE2 in Eglinton, who created a Life Skills room, to support training for young people and adults with disability. Speaking about the Community Fund, Tim Glenn from ASPACE2 said “The support from SSE Renewables was essential for us to create the Life Skills room. With this new facility on offer to young people and adults with disability, we are able to help more people develop for living through learning and experience. With this provision trainees will be able to learn skills to live a more independent, inclusive and fulfilling life."
For more information on how to apply to the Slieve Kirk Community Fund visit https://www.sserenewables.com/SKirkFund or contact [email protected].