Energia announces £2.4million fund for the Drumquin and Killen area

The local communities in Drumquin and Killen have received a huge boost with news of £2.4 million fund over a 25 year period by Energia, owners of the Cornavarrow and Slieveglass Wind Farms. The announcement was made to coincide with the initial funding awards.

 

L-R Patrick Scully and Connie Skelton from Drumquin Community Youth Centre with Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia

 

17 organisations carrying out local projects received funding totalling almost £70,000 from the Wind Farm Fund. Community Associations, schools, bands and sports clubs have been awarded grants to cover a wide range of capital, educational, youth focused, environmental, cultural and sporting initiatives.

Energia Renewables launched the community fund last year, administered by the Fermanagh Trust. The fund was set up to ensure that the wind farms, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, will also provide significant social and economic benefits to the local community.

Projects awarded funding include Drumquin Community Youth Centre who received a capital grant to oversee the modernisation and complete refurbishment of the existing community centre in Drumquin. The new building will provide a home for the numerous community groups within the village and a space for various classes.

 

Bernadette McCrossan Sugar and Spice Playgroup Drumquin and Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia

 

The fund is supporting young people by awarding grants to Sugar and Spice Playgroup Drumquin and First Steps Playgroup Killen. The groups will use their grants to go towards improvements to their buildings. Local primary schools and youth clubs were also awarded funding to carry out environmental projects.

Killen Women’s Group will use their grant award to purchase equipment and tutoring for their craft classes. Drumquin Women’s Group were also awarded a grant to support their community education classes.  Other organisations awarded funding include sports clubs, credit unions, bands, Churches and finally a new partnership of a number of sporting organisations who are developing a modern gym facility in Drumquin.

 

Dolores Crowe First Steps Community Group Killen and Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia

 

Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia Renewables said “We are delighted to put in place this significant financial package and to provide support to these wonderful projects who contribute so much to community life. Through the Cornavarrow and Slieveglass Wind Farm Fund we are very committed to supporting the communities where we invest, getting resources and much needed funding on the ground. Well done to all those who received grant awards and we wish them every success in their endeavours.”

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust added “It is great to see so much happening in the Drumquin and Killen areas in terms of community, sport, educational and environmental initiatives. The Cornavarrow and Slieveglass Wind Farm Fund is an excellent opportunity for the local community to access funding which will benefit so many activities, helping with venue improvement, equipment and running costs.”

 

L-R Eleanor Speer, Killen Women’s Group, Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia and Lavinia Sproule, Killen Women’s Group

 

The fund will open for applications again in November. Funding is available for small one off grants, longer strategic programmes involving a number of organisations and also larger grants for strategic capital projects. For more information CLICK HERE or contact the Fermanagh Trust on Tel: 028 66 320 210 / E: hazel@fermanaghtrust.org.