Over €300k on offer for local projects in next phase of Rhode-area windfarm fund
A new round of grant funding from the Rhode-area Yellow River Community Benefit Fund has opened for applications, with a total of €308,000 being made available.
The fund is open to local community projects, schools, clubs and organisations located near Yellow River Wind Farm, which is just outside Rhode in Offaly.
The provider of the fund, SSE, said it's open to community-based projects located within 10km of Yellow River Wind Farm, "with priority given to projects located within 5km of the wind farm".
Applications are open until November 17 next, with the €308,000 on offer consisting of a €220,000 'local community fund' and a €88,000 'major projects fund'.
SSE said local projects "that support community development, energy efficiency, sustainability, climate action and safety" are being encouraged to apply.
This will be the second round of funding support being offered through the fund, with the inaugural round seeing almost €215,000 being presented last month to some 20 community projects across Offaly, Meath, and Westmeath.
Rhode GAA Club has received €58,938, the largest single award from the first round of the fund.
Another organisation to benefit from the first round of the Yellow River fund was Ballybryan National School, which received €10,500 to upgrade its lighting system with energy-efficient LED lighting.
Brian Darby, Principal of Ballybryan National School, said: "We are very grateful for the support provided through the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund. The funding enabled us to complete an LED lighting upgrade project that will provide long-term benefits for our school and the wider community.
"The project has improved energy efficiency, reduced operating costs and supported our efforts to become more environmentally sustainable. The support from SSE helped us deliver an initiative that would have been difficult to achieve through our own resources alone."
Outside school hours, Ballybryan NS is regularly used by a range of local groups and activities, including Comhaltas, Irish language classes, yoga sessions, music lessons and community card groups.
Vicky Boden, Senior Community Investment Manager at SSE Renewables, added: "We’re delighted to launch the second round of the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund and make more than €300,000 available to support projects in local communities around Yellow River Wind Farm.
"Through the fund, we're helping community groups, schools, clubs and organisations invest in projects that can make a lasting difference, whether that's improving local facilities, reducing energy costs or supporting activities that bring people together.
"We’d encourage eligible local groups to explore the funding opportunities available and apply. We look forward to supporting projects that will deliver lasting benefits for communities across the region."
Full details on eligibility criteria and how to apply are available at: sserenewables.com/communities/community-fund-locations/ireland/yellow-river/