Windfall for Swatragh and Garvagh areas

The funds will be available for the anticipated lifetime of the wind farm - meaning that an index linked £90,000 of annual funding is set to be distributed to community projects within the catchment area over the next 25 years.

The Brockaghboy Wind Farm Community Fund will be managed by both the Swatragh based venture and Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

The fund is intended to support a wide range of activities including sports and recreation, health and well-being, environment and conservation, energy efficiency and sustainability, culture and heritage, education, children, young people and the elderly.

Funding will be prioritised for projects including those which benefit people experiencing disadvantage and those which increase the use of existing community space as well as projects which encourage collaboration among local groups.

The first tranche of funding is now open for applications until 1pm on Wednesday 30 November 2016 and shall be independently managed and allocated by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland.

Full guidance and link to online application can be accessed via the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland website www.communityfoundationni.org

Charities, community development groups, primary and secondary schools, as well as sports, recreation and youth clubs are being urged to apply for grants.

The £50m Brockaghboy Wind Farm is currently being built in partnership between Belfast based developer TCI Renewables and project owners ERG Renew – a leading Italian player in the European wind energy market.

The 19 turbine, 47.5 MW Brockaghboy Wind Farm will generate enough electricity to sustain the electrical demands of approximately 27,000 homes – the equivalent of powering 43% of all domestic properties in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.

The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland has been driving social change and supporting voluntary and community action through intelligent giving since 1979.