Charitable organisation supported by The Family Business Network, Cumbria Community Foundation have announced that funding has become available for community organisations near the Winscales Moor Wind Farm.

The Winscales Moor Community Benefit Fund supports community, educational, environmental, or sporting related activities. Examples of projects that the fund will support include improvements to community buildings, increased use of renewable energy and nature conservation.

The fund, managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, was set up by Your Energy Ltd to deliver a range of community benefits in association with the wind farm. Community groups in the parishes of Winscales, Great Clifton and Little Clifton are eligible to apply.

Earlier this year, Cumbria Wildlife Trust received £2,100 for its Get Cumbria Buzzing project. The grant focussed on work in the Winscales area as Graham Jackson-Pitt, Senior Living Landscape Officer, explains: “The fund has helped to really get Cumbria buzzing! This new initiative, delivered through Cumbria Wildlife Trust and other local partners on and around Cumbria’s west coast, has been working with local communities to increase numbers and diversity of pollinating insects including bees, butterflies and hoverflies.

“The project has been working at the Great Clifton roundabout and on both the Distington and Stainburn by-pass with Highways England and local volunteers to clear unwanted scrub, plant wildflowers and spread their seed. We’re also working with partners to make sure that the future management of these sites is correct and will make long-lasting positive changes to these local green spaces.”

Gary Higgs, Grants & Donor Services Officer said: “We’re very proud to have been managing the Winscales Moor Community Benefit Fund since 2008. Almost £45,000 has been distributed to local community groups and projects in the Winscales area. We want to support and encourage more projects that promote and/or implement the sustainable use of energy and resources.

The deadline for the next round of applications is 28th February 2020. For more information on the Fund, or to apply for a grant, visit www.cumbriafoundation.org, or contact Gary Higgs on 01900 825760.