Inishative Community Benefit Fund

Purpose of the Fund:

This local community fund has been set up by Gaelectric, and recently acquired by CGN: A leader in Clean Energy.  A wind energy and energy storage company that believes in a sustainable future. CGN is committed to ensuring that their wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, also provide significant economic benefits to the local community.

The Community Benefit Fund will be administered by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland and will provide a fund available for local projects that educate, raise awareness and demonstrate community involvement in work that promotes environmental issues and healthier lifestyles.

Funding will be available to local community projects within a 10km/6 mile radius of the wind farm.  Priority will be given to applicant organisations based within the Carrickmore (3.5 miles), Galbally/Cappagh (4-5 miles) and Sixmilecross (6 miles) areas.

Inishative Map April 2018

Priority will be given to the following:

• Stronger more inclusive communities by ensuring that local people have ownership and involvement in the design and delivery of the project.
• Partnership working with community, voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure a coordinated approach.
• Sustainable solutions that address local issues.
• Projects that improve the utilisation of existing community space in each of the above areas.
• Particular emphasis will be placed on funding activities/services that are specifically aimed at older people, people with disabilities, children and teenagers (including pre-school children), providing skills development of local people and promoting health related activities or services.
• Given the remoteness of some of these locations, the isolation and lack of statutory transport provision consideration will be given to local transport initiatives.
• Projects and programmes offering invaluable advice and information and signposting on key Rural issues e.g. Farm Support Services, Welfare & Benefits and Parenting/Family issues etc.
• Outdoor/Environmental projects will also be considered in terms of encouraging a healthier and active community as well as protecting and enhancing the local environment.
• Finally, wider community events and programmes that encourage greater community interaction (including cross community aspects) encompassing the local rich and varied cultural aspects of music, drama, dance and sport.   

• Funding will be considered for costs associated with running/administration costs and for purchasing additional equipment to expand services/activities in each of the areas.
• Priority will be given to projects which demonstrate the ability to collaborate, network and share best practice.

Examples of who can apply:

• Constituted voluntary organisations and community groups
• Local youth groups

Applicants must have a signed, locally adopted governing document as well as associated paperwork such as accounts, current account, management committee, relevant policies, in the name of the applicant organisation.

Size of grants available:

• £1,000 – £2,000

The Foundation will not fund organisations or activities which promote causes that are contrary to our purposes.  Causes and activities that are contrary to our purposes include, but may not be limited to, those outlined in our investment policy.  We will not therefore fund organisations or activities which we determine are linked to the promotion of armaments, alcohol, human rights abuses, tobacco or pornography.

In addition we will not Fund:

• The advancement of religion.  This includes organisations whose purposes include the advancement of religion;
• The establishment of endowment of any school or institution providing further education within the meaning of the education and libraries (Northern Ireland) order 1972;
• The provision of assistance to any Housing Association within the meaning of the housing (Northern Ireland) order 1976 – *Note:  Housing Associations will be eligible for some funds, providing they meet all other eligibility requirements, and if they apply as part of a partnership project, and are not named as the applicant organisation.
• Applications from individuals
• Applications from statutory organisations
• Organisations/projects that promote religious or political activities
• Salaried posts
• Trips abroad
• Vehicles
• Activities that duplicate existing services
• Retrospective Funding
• Substitution for statutory funding

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.