Funding boost for Brookeborough organisations from their local Wind Farm Fund

Organisations in Brookeborough have received a funding boost from the Teiges Wind Farm Fund to support a wide range of educational, environmental, cultural and sporting initiatives.

Energia Renewables, owners of the Teiges Mountain Wind Farm launched the community fund in 2017. The fund, administered by the Fermanagh Trust, was set up to ensure that the wind farm, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, will also provide significant social and economic benefits to the local community.

Grants have been awarded to a number of projects including two long term capital grants. Brookeborough and District Community Development Association will use their grant for refurbishment of the exterior of the Station House. The former railway station house is home to the local playgroup and is utilised by a number of different groups as a community centre venue. Brookeborough Heber McMahons GFC will use their capital grant to make some improvements to their grounds, including construction of changing rooms, stores, and gym.

 

Brookeborough and District Community Development Association will use their grant for refurbishment of the exterior of the Station House

Cooneen Community Development Association were awarded funding to help them run a series of educational activities. Young people will benefit greatly from the fund, with grant awards going to the playgroup and St Mary’s PS for development of their outdoor classrooms and play area.

Local sports clubs including the bowling, gaelic football, table tennis and hurling clubs will use their funding to cover their running costs and equipment costs.  Other groups supported include local pipe band, flute band, Church group and drama group who were awarded grants to support equipment and tuition costs.

Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia Renewables, said: “At Energia, we understand that the transition to a low carbon economy can only be achieved through responsible development and this involves genuine community engagement.  We’re delighted to see how the Teiges wind farm benefit fund is helping the local community become more sustainable through the support of local projects and activities. We recognise the challenge that many community groups face in accessing the funding they need and that’s why we’re working with the Fermanagh Trust to ensure that the wind farm benefit fund is aligned with local needs.”

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust added “In what has been a very challenging year, it is great to see so much community activity happening in the Brookeborough area and through these organisations it is clear there will be a large reach of people supported by this funding. Well done to all those who received grant awards and we wish them every success in their endeavours.”

 

Peter Baillie, Managing Director of Energia Renewables and Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust
 

The fund will open for applications again in November 2021. Small one off grants will be available for various activities up to a maximum of £2000, grants over a 1-3 year period for longer strategic programmes involving a number of organisations and also larger grants for strategic capital projects. For more information CLICK HERE / E: gemma@fermanaghtrust.org