OREANDA-NEWS. Energy company SSE is calling on community groups to share their 'big ideas' and apply to the new SSE Perthshire Sustainable Development Fund.

The Fund has been provided as part of the community benefit arrangements from SSE's onshore wind farms in the region. It is expected to open every three years and will support over £2million in funding over its lifetime. An independent panel chaired by the former First Minister Lord Jack McConnell will decide on grant awards from the fund.

Non-profit making organisations, community groups and charities in the Perth and Kinross region can apply with preference given to projects that will benefit Highland and East Perthshire. The budget for the first round is £250,000 with applications of £10,000 and over accepted.

Successful projects will have the potential to deliver transformational social, economic and environmental changes in the local area and support long-term community development. They will also achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

Increase job opportunities and employment through activities focused on increasing an individual's chances of entering employment or progressing further in employment.

Enable communities to develop renewable energy schemes - which are of benefit to the local community and could generate social, environmental or economic benefit.

Enhance Scotland's natural and built environment - for the benefit of local people and the attraction of visitors; activities that retain, enhance or build upon natural and local heritage.

Additional consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate innovation and show evidence of wide community support.

The fund will close for applications on 30 January 2015 and all funding decisions will be made public in April 2015.

The SSE Sustainable Development fund has already awarded over £1.5million in funding in the Highland and Scottish Borders regions, including a £400,000 grant to create a science and technology accreditation programme in Highland schools, a £75,000 award to refurbish the vital community hydro scheme in Knoydart, Lochaber and a contribution of £30,000 to establish a new path network around the historic St Mary's Loch in Ettrick and Yarrow.

Lord McConnell, chair of the Fund panel said: “The Sustainable Development Fund represents a golden opportunity for communities to kick-start a transformational project in their local area.

“Building on the success of the fund elsewhere in Scotland, we are determined to support community initiatives across Perthshire that have a real and lasting impact - be it through the creation of jobs, enhancement of local facilities or by building sustainable energy solutions.

“I look forward to judging some exciting and ambitious projects and I'd urge anyone who has a big idea for their community to apply now.”

John Swinney MSP for North Tayside said: “I very much welcome this launch from SSE and would encourage the many local community organisations in Highland and East Perthshire to waste no time in bidding into this fund.

“As the local constituency MSP for the area I know very well the range of excellent local initiatives working tirelessly to improve outcomes, opportunities and appearances within our communities here.

“A constant challenge for local groups is that of funding and with SSE's Perthshire Sustainable Development Fund a very welcome and much anticipated new funding opportunity now presents itself.”

Alan Young, Managing Director, Corporate Affairs at SSE, said: “The Sustainable Development Fund will work in tandem with SSE's local community funds in Highland and East Perthshire, allowing the benefits of our renewable energy developments to be accessible to a broader group and directed to projects that are big in scale or ambition.

“We have already launched Sustainable Development Funds in the Highland and Scottish Borders regions, both of which were significantly oversubscribed. We are expecting a similar level of interest in Perth and Kinross and I hope to see many quality applications coming forward.”

Since 2008 SSE has provided over £2.4 million in community benefit funding in Highland and East Perthshire through its Drumderg, Griffin and Calliachar wind farms. Collectively over 320 local projects have been supported including awards of £76,958 to the Alyth Youth Partnership, £50,000 to the Dunkeld Community Archive, £35,595 to Heartland FM, £31,000 to the Tayside Mountain Rescue Team and £100,000 to the Birks Cinema.