HAVE YOUR SAY on the Griffin & Calliachar Community Fund

The Griffin and Calliachar Community Fund was established as part of SSE Renewables’ commitment to ensuring that local communities share in the benefits arising from renewable energy development. The Fund supports communities located around the Griffin and Calliachar Wind Farms in Highland Perthshire and has become an important source of investment in local projects, organisations and community assets.

The Fund covers the Community Council areas of Aberfeldy, Dunkeld and Birnam, Kenmore, Mid Atholl, Strathtay and Grandtully, and Dull and Weem. Since its establishment in 2011, it has supported more than 400 projects and invested over £6 million in local communities. Funding has been provided to a wide range of initiatives, from small grassroots projects through to major community investments, helping to strengthen the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the area.

Over time, the Fund has evolved from an initial focus on capital projects towards a broader portfolio of activities. It now supports community facilities, sports and cultural venues, environmental initiatives, volunteering, community development, wellbeing projects and activities that help sustain rural communities. Investment has been made both in physical assets and in the organisations and people that help communities thrive.

A key feature of the Fund is that decisions are made locally. Applications are considered by a local Fund Panel, supported by SSE Renewables’ Community Investment Team. The aim is to ensure that funding reflects local circumstances and priorities while maintaining an open and transparent process.

After more than fifteen years of operation, the Fund has built a strong track record of supporting communities across the area. However, communities, economies and local priorities continue to change. The current review and consultation process is therefore seeking views from residents, community organisations and other stakeholders on how the Fund can continue to evolve and remain effective in the future.

The overall objective is to ensure that the Fund continues to focus on the issues that matter most to local people, supporting lasting community benefit and helping communities to achieve their long-term aspirations.

You can find out more at the Fund’s web pages here.