Rathsherry Community Benefit Fund
Overview
This local community fund has been set up by Energia Renewables, working in close partnership with local groups from the areas surrounding Rathsherry Windfarm.
Energia Renewables has pledged to deliver a Community Benefit Fund for a 21.15 MW Wind Farm located at 115 Longmore Road, Broughshane, Ballymena, BT43 7HR. Grants will be delivered annually for the benefit of community initiatives within the area of benefit.
Energia has set up the fund to ensure that the wind farm, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, will also provide significant social and economic benefits to the local community.
Funding will be available to local community projects that are planned and run for the benefit of the local population and are within 6 miles of the centre of the windfarm.
Applicant organisations must be located within the 6mile radius of the windfarm (*straight-line measurement) as per map
The fund will support projects addressing issues within the following theme areas:
- Energy efficiency and sustainability
- Social, cultural or sporting benefit for the local community
- Educational issues with a sustainability angle
- Environmental benefit or economic benefit
Fund Priorities:
- Projects that improve the utilisation of existing community space in areas within the fund boundary.
- Contributions towards running/administration costs and for purchasing additional equipment to expand and support new and existing services/activities in each of the areas.
- Particular emphasis will be placed on funding activities/services that are specifically aimed at older people, youth, children and people with disabilities; environmental improvements; bringing the wider community together; health improvements and culture and history.
- Applicants are encouraged to network, share best practice and co-operate more between the areas. Projects which demonstrate the ability to collaborate, network and share best practice will be encouraged and supported.
Examples of who can apply:
- Constituted voluntary organisations and community groups
- Local youth groups
Examples of projects that the fund might support:
General running costs, running costs for centres, community events, training costs, transport costs, small capital purchases, promotion, refurbishment, energy audits, purchasing and installation of energy efficiency equipment.
Amount of funding available:
Grants of £1,000 to £3,000
Partnership applications – up to £9,000 (each partner will receive a maximum of £3,000 to support project)
Notes
Applicants that currently hold a live grant are not eligible to re-apply in any new round until all outstanding information is provided for the current grant held. This includes details of spend and any monitoring.
*Measurement of applicant organisation address will be a straight-line measurement from the location of the windfarm using google maps.
In 2023, the success rate for applications to this fund was 70%.