The Fallago Environment Fund, established by EDF power solutions and Roxburghe Estates, launched in 2013.
The aim of the Fund is “to enhance the quality of life for local communities and visitors to the Borders through investment in the protection, enhancement and appreciation of the natural, built and cultural heritage of the Scottish Borders environment”.
The annual Fund value is £200,000 per annum and is administered and overseen by Tweed Forum.
Fallago Rig Windfarm became fully operational in the Spring of 2013. The two developers, (at that time) EDF Renewables (now EDF power solutions) and Roxburghe Estates, strongly felt that the economic benefits of the windfarm should be shared by establishing a fund to support environmentally-based projects within both the Scottish Borders and the parish of Gifford. The Fallago Environment Fund is an innovative model for delivery of local benefits deriving from a windfarm development. As well as communities closest to Fallago, the Fund is unique in that other community groups and relevant organisations throughout the Scottish Borders are eligible to apply, ensuring that those parts of the region without access to other community benefit funds can be supported.
Many of the projects that receive grants are able to use the monies the Fund provides to leverage the additional income streams they need to enable them to deliver their work. This leverage has been calculated as an extra £10 raised for every £1 donated by the Fallago Environment Fund.
The Fund is expected to persist for the lifetime of the Windfarm (ca. 20-25 years). The day-to-day administration of the Fund has been devolved to Tweed Forum, however, the Fund Management Group is the decision-making body for allocation of funds. This Group comprises representatives of EDF power solutions, Roxburghe Estates, Tweed Forum and the local community, and has an independent Chair. The current members of the Group are Gareth Baird (Chair), The Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe, Leanne Watson, Debbie Playfair, Catherine Maxwell-Stuart, Angus Armstrong and Luke Comins.
Please visit Apply for a Grant for details on how to apply to the Fund.
Hermes GPE LLP is a joint venture between Hermes Fund Managers Limited, GPE Partner Limited and HGPE Capital Limited