DONG Energy has opened its doors to applications for a brand new 25-year Community Fund as work gets underway on its latest offshore wind farm in Liverpool Bay.
The Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund will provide up to £225,000 each year for the benefit of voluntary groups and organisations located near to the coasts in Denbighshire, Flintshire, The Wirral and Sefton.
The Fund is made possible by wind farm developer DONG Energy who began construction works for the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm in March.
Klaus Skoust Møller, senior programme director of the Burbo Bank Extension at DONG Energy, said: “After years of planning and development it’s great to see the project start and our long-term commitment to the Community Fund begin. We are looking forward to seeing the fantastic projects the Fund will support and the benefits these will bring to the local community and environment. Besides the good work around the Fund, DONG Energy is also working with a number of local suppliers for them to benefit from the business that a big project like Burbo Bank Extension brings to the area. ”
National grant-making charity GrantScape will administer the Fund, following their extensive community consultation exercise to ensure the grants available will meet the demands and needs of local people.
The Fund allows local groups and organisations to apply for grants anywhere from £500 up to £25,000 if their project is located within the defined area of benefit. An interactive map and full eligibility criteria can be found on GrantScape’s website. Each year there will be two application rounds approximately six months apart. To apply, you must complete a simple online application form by the closing date, the first being 2 September.
A local advisory group has been set up to help decide which local groups will benefit from the Fund. This Group has been selected to ensure all areas that can benefit from the Fund are well represented by people with a good local knowledge of the community and environment.
For full information about the Fund and how to apply please visit GrantScape’s website www.grantscape.org.uk, or call the dedicated phone number on 01908 247634.
