Open for applications
Opening dates for applications 1st November 2023 2nd May 2024
Closing date 14th February 2024 30th June 2024
Panel meeting 18th March 2024 12th August 2024
The Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Halsary Fund is funded by ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) community benefit funds, from its Halsary Windfarm. The fund supports projects/initiatives that benefit the residents within Latheron, Lybster & Clyth Community Council boundary. These projects initiatives can be located outside the Latheron, Lybster & Clyth Community Council boundary if they provide a clear benefit to the residents within Latheron, Lybster & Clyth and the Panel agree to provide funding.
Lybster and Clyth Halsary Fund is managed by a panel of 7 local representatives one from Latheron, Lybster and Clyth community council area in decisions on grant awards from the fund.
Who can apply for a grant?
Applicants must normally fulfil the following conditions to apply to the fund.
– The proposal is for projects or activities consistent with the overall priorities and criteria of Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Halsary Fund.
– Applicants have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and are set up on a not-for-private-profit basis. However, groups do not need to be registered charities to apply.
– Applicants must provide their latest set of accounts, signed by an independent third party.
We welcome pre-application enquiries – please contact Caithness Voluntary Group if anything is unclear. halsary@cvg.org.uk
Guidance
Fund Application
What the fund will support?
The fund will support community-led activities that support the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities in Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council area. These activities would typically relate to community facilities, skills and employment, community or local events, sport and recreation, environmental improvements, youth and education, heritage and/or net zero/emissions reduction initiatives. Awards can support a wide range of costs and activities including running costs. Groups seeking to undertake capital projects in respect of land or assets (e.g. village halls, community spaces) must either own the property, or have a minimum twenty-five-year lease.
What sizes of grants are available?
Grants between £200 – £5,000. Grant holders must be able to spend their grant within 12 months of an award.
Categories on what you cannot apply for are listed below.
• Religious purposes (where one religious group would benefit over another or the promotion or activities of any religious group). Where a religious building (Church, Church Hall etc) is a community resource and the application is for the improvement of the community hub which would benefit the whole community, this would be acceptable.
• Political purposes (applications which promote political views or the activities of political groups cannot be supported).
• Entertainment or hospitality purposes (where funds would be used to offer a gift, hospitality or entertainment with the intention of achieving an advantage over others).
• Funding cannot be awarded to be spent at the discretion of a person or legal entity.
• Any purpose which is averse to ScottishPower Renewables, its parent company or group companies, windfarms, renewable energy industry or the electricity industry.
• Investment in any windfarm or windfarm site which does not belong to Scottish Power Renewables.
• The funding or replacement of a service which is provided by, or is the legal responsibility of, the local authority or other public authority or a statutory responsibility.
• Projects which cannot demonstrate a significant benefit to the local community.
Caithness Voluntary Group 