The Gwynt y Môr Community Investment Fund is inviting groups and charities from North Wales to apply for grants of up to GBP 50,000.
According to innogy, the company who built and now operates the 576MW Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm, the fund supports projects that help build strong communities that foster economic growth and that help reduce poverty and inequality in communities.
Neil Pringle from the Community and Voluntary Support Conwy (CVSC) said that the criteria of the fund has slightly changed with the introduction of a GBP 50,000 upper limit and a requirement to contact CVSC directly to initially talk through proposals.
“I am delighted to see the Gwynt y Môr Community Fund reopen for large grants. The fund was launched in 2015 and to date we have been overwhelmed by the level of interest so I am sure this will be great news for many groups across North Wales,” Pringle said.
“Due to the really high level of competition for this fund there will also be just one closing date per year for large applications of over GBP 10,000.”
Katy Woodington from innogy said that asking groups to make contact before they complete their applications will ensure that the fund is the right funding avenue. She added that the applications take a lot of time, and having an initial conversation can help and support can be acquired from the offset.
According to innogy, applications for funding of up to GBP 10,000 remain open as usual.
The closing date for large applications is 1 March 2018.
Fully commissioned in June 2015, Gwynt y Môr is the second largest operating offshore wind farm in the world, comprising 160 Siemens 3.6MW turbines.
The wind farm is a GBP 2 billion partnership between innogy, Stadtwerke München GmbH and Siemens.