East Kintyre
Community

The East Kintyre Community Fund has been set up (registered with OSCR in 2021) to enable the distribution of community funds from windfarms and funds from other sources, to community groups or organisations within the area of East Kintyre to undertake projects that meet the public benefit criteria agreed by the SCIO and the donors and which fall within the purposes of:

  • the advancement of community development and sustainability (including rural regeneration)

  • the advancement of education

  • the advancement of arts, heritage, culture or science

  • the provision of recreational facilities or the organisation of recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended

  • the advancement of environmental protection or improvement

  • the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

The charity Trustees usually make grants of between £200 and £50,000.

It is intended that all future Community Benefits from windfarms and other sources will be channelled into this fund along with revenues generated by Community Shared Ownership in renewable developments that impact on East Kintyre. The fund is not to be confused with the East Kintyre Windfarm Trust, which sits under the auspices of the Argyll and Bute Windfarm & Renewable Trust and distributes funds from existing windfarms.

In addition to distributing these benefits, EKCF also manages the Abbeyfield Fund, created in 2018 following the sale of Abbeyfield House in Carradale, which, for many years, provided sheltered housing for older people in the area. The fund seeks to enhance the quality of life of older people living in East Kintyre and to help them remain socially active members of the community. The Abbeyfield Fund can provide grants of between £250 and £5,000; applications are made using the same form, as linked below. However, for amounts below £250, individuals or community groups can email the secretary (info.ekcf@gmail.com) direct, at any time, outlining the nature of their request and the amount sought.   

Our Vision

A resilient and sustainable East Kintyre Community.


Our Mission

To use the financial resources provided by community benefits and shared ownership in renewable developments, as well as other funding sources to help deliver the legacy projects and priorities identified in the East Kintyre Local Development Plan.

Charity Trustees:

The structure of the SCIO consists of the Trustees who are also the SCIO’s only members and comprise the SCIO’s Board. They will hold regular meetings, and generally control the activities of the SCIO; for example, the board is responsible for monitoring and controlling the financial position of the SCIO.

  • Alasdair Bennett - Acting Co-Chair & Treasurer

  • Russ Baum - Acting Co-Chair & Secretary

  • Ian Brodie

  • Shelagh Cameron

  • Audrey Willan

Our Funding Priorities

The Charity Trustees are keen to support activities that advance the Purposes in an effective way and will endeavour to fund those projects that show the largest public benefit, including;

  1. The engagement, consultation and production of the Community Local Development Plan (LDP) and the ensuing Community Action Plan (CAP).

  2. Delivery of projects that are part of community agreed LDP/CAP.

  3. Other areas that have a priority as agreed by the Trustees and sponsors.

The Charity Trustees will not normally support:

  1. Projects which do not meet the public benefit test as outlined in OSCR’s guidance document on these matters.

  2. Projects that are to be expected to be undertaken by statutory bodies, such as local Council, Social Work, Police, Schools and Health Service.

  3. Grants sought retrospectively.

The Trustees will occasionally award grants that fall outside of the priorities stated in this policy, provided that they are satisfied that the grant will further the Purposes and is an appropriate use of the Charity's funds. The total annual amount of such grants will never be greater than 5% of the yearly fund revenue.

Application Process

Before making an application, please read the criteria guidance, linked below.

To make an application, please complete the Word form, linked below, and send to info.ekcf@gmail.com, attaching all associated documents as files; these can be scanned images.

If you have any queries regarding the application form, or eligibility criteria, please contact the Secretary at info.ekcf@gmail.com.

The next funding application window will be from 26 January to 8 March 2024.

Documentation