Fossil free funding energises Huntly project
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HOPES of creating a network of community-owned electric car charging points in the Huntly area have surged forward.
That is thanks to a £10,000 award, which the Huntly and District Development Trust (HDDT) will use to drive forward the plan by undertaking a feasibility study.
The cash came from a new funding programme which helps local communities across the north east working towards a fossil fuel free life.
Vattenfall's £150,000-a-year Unlock our Future Fund, provided by the Swedish power firm's European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre in Aberdeen Bay, was designed following community feedback, with winners selected by a panel of Community Champions.
HDDT project support team member Debbie Haefner said: "HDDT are delighted to have been awarded this grant of £10,000 which will help us to continue to develop Huntly and District as a green travel hub.
"Building on the success of HDDT's community car club and electric bike hire project, this study will investigate how we can provide the infrastructure required to make the area a leading hub for low carbon travel."
Debbie, along with trustee Mary Scott, were among representatives who joined together for a celebration at Aberdeen Bay.
Other projects to benefit include community-owned electric vehicles, low carbon heating for community centres, upcycling gardening equipment, a new indoor teaching beehive and a local seed swap.
Natalie Ghazi, Vattenfall’s local liaison and project communicator, said: "We want this funding to bring a lasting legacy to the region, and what better way than to be able to support local communities to accelerate their journey to fossil free living. It's great to see the creative and innovative ideas and projects from the local community that will now come to life through the Unlock our Future Fund."
The application process has been managed by the independent grant-making charity Foundation Scotland.
More information about the fund is available via Funding Scotland and the next application round will open in early 2020.
