Community organisations across the north of Scotland have received a funding boost of over £2 million, delivered through SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund.
A share of £2.37 million has been awarded to 14 projects that will help aid skills development, support the culture of the region, or help alleviate fuel poverty.
Local projects receiving support include:
Helm Training - £49,934
Funding Anchors Up, a programme guiding disadvantaged youth in Dundee through personal development, group learning and routes into training or employment.
Clare Taylor-Brown, CEO, Helm said:
“This funding from SSEN Transmission is both a welcome endorsement of our work in Dundee and a real catalyst for hope. Through Anchors Up, we can reach young people earlier, provide tailored support, and create meaningful routes into training, employment, and positive destinations.
“We are sincerely thankful for this partnership and the belief it shows in our young people. With sustained investment like this, we can improve outcomes, widen opportunity, and ensure more young people in Dundee can thrive.”
Dundee Industrial Heritage SCIO – £40,000
Supporting the transformation of Discovery Point – home of the Royal Research Ship Discovery – into a modern learning and visitor hub for future generations.
Emma Halford-Forbes, Heritage Director, Dundee Heritage Trust said:
“We are utterly delighted to have been awarded funds from the SSEN Transmission Regional Community Benefit Fund to help us transform Discovery Point, home of the Royal Research Ship Discovery, for the next generation of learners, visitors, and communities here in Dundee.
“This funding will help us to support people of all ages to help us reimagine the museum’s exhibitions over the next few years, telling the story of the ship from its proud origins in the shipyards of Dundee, to its pioneering Antarctic expeditions, and lasting impact on our city and the world for over 125 years.
“This is really a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people in Dundee, from all walks of life, to be able to explore and shape this bigger story of Discovery, from children and their families to adults of all backgrounds with a story or perspective of their own to share. We are so looking forward to working with SSEN Transmission and with all our partners to bring this vision to reality.”
Over £100m expected for communities across the north of Scotland
The latest round of awards from the Regional Community Benefit Fund brings the total investment in local initiatives to over £4 million, building on the initial awards made last year.
These awards are among the first delivered as part of SSEN Transmission’s commitment to provide more than £100 million in community benefit across the north of Scotland, enabled by its investment in new electricity infrastructure that supports the country’s clean power and energy security ambitions.
Funding will continue to be distributed through a series of regional and local funds linked to existing and proposed projects, ensuring positive impacts and a lasting legacy for local communities.
Independent Chair of the Regional Community Benefit Fund, Peter Peacock, said:
“We’re proud to support these outstanding organisations as they deliver real, lasting benefits for communities across the north of Scotland. Each project reflects the hard work of those building strong, resilient places – whether through skills and employability, improving local facilities, or helping to tackle fuel poverty.
“We had a high level of interest in the second round of the fund, with a very strong standard of applications, and our thanks go to all who applied. We now look forward to seeing the positive impact of this funding across the region.”
Gary Hughes, Economic Development Manager at SSEN Transmission added:
“These awards show our commitment to ensuring that critical electricity infrastructure delivers real benefits for local communities.
“Between our regional fund and the local funds we are creating, more than £100m will be made available for community benefit across the north of Scotland.
“This is just one of the positive legacies our investment is delivering as we work to strengthen energy security and support the transition to clean power.”
SSEN Transmission
SSEN Transmission plays a critical role in the transition to a low carbon future, developing, building, maintaining and operating a network for net zero. Vital to net zero ambitions it transports huge quantities of clean, green renewable power over a quarter of the UK land mass across some of its most challenging terrain.
