Nine organisations are celebrating the new that they have been awarded funding in the latest round of Ørsted’s Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund. The groups are set to share a massive £112,000 windfall.
Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager for Ørsted, said: “Well done to the nine winning organisations! Their work makes a fabulous effect for the area and its people, as well as reducing the impact on the planet. At Ørsted we love to support our local communities and we’d love to encourage those who are thinking about applying to do so. Our next round of funding is now open. I’m really look forward to seeing the next applicants.”
Earlier this year, Ørsted announced that they were keen that organisations applying to the Fund are reflecting on their environmental impact, taking positive steps to minimise the carbon footprint of their project, and seeking opportunities to become more environmentally sustainable.
Through the grant application process, groups are now asked if they are taking steps to minimise the carbon footprint of the project, they are seeking funding support for, and whether the project will make a positive impact on the environment – in other words, is the project ‘Inspired by Green’? New judging criteria for the Fund is giving greater weighting to the answers to these questions.
Two of the projects funded in this latest round that were ‘Inspired by Green’ were The Gateway Collective and Ince Blundell Village Hall.
Ali Horton, Senior Lead at The Gateway Collective, said: “We are delighted to have received funding from the Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund. This will enable us to deliver cooking workshops from our new kitchen, teaching people how to cook with the food we grow. In the current climate and cost of living crisis the ability to grow your own food and cook with it is essential. This funding will ensure people in Bootle have access to fresh produce whilst looking after our local environment.”
Kevin Sharpe, Trustee and Chair of Committee at Ince Blundell Community Village Hall, said: “The approval of this Grant will be vitally important, it is one element of a project of works which will guarantee the survival of Ince Blundell Village Hall. The lowering of our ceiling and fitting of LED lights will reduce our fuel consumption by 55% long term. Making the Hall a comfortable warm environment. On behalf of the Community of Ince Blundell I would like to pass on sincere thanks to the Fund.”
The full list of organisations awarded grants under the latest round of the Burbo Bank Extension Community Benefit Fund are as follows:
The Fund is being managed by national grant-making charity GrantScape and more details can be found at GrantScape’s website www.grantscape.org.uk or by calling 01908 247634. The closing date for the next funding round is 27 September 2023.
Each year for the expected 25-year lifetime of the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm, approximately £225,000 will be made available for community projects, which will benefit the local area.
Ørsted’s Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm was officially opened in May 2017 and is capable of meeting the electricity demand of well over 230,000 homes. It was the first offshore wind farm in the world to commercially demonstrate the massive 8MW MHI Vestas turbines which stand at a staggering 195m, tall from sea-level to tip.
