GrantRadar

Foundation Scotland

RWE Bowbeat Wind Farm (Peebles & Eddleston) Community Fund

A community benefit fund paid for by RWE's Bowbeat Wind Farm and run by Foundation Scotland, for charitable projects benefiting people in the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District and Eddleston & District Community Council areas in the Scottish Borders. One-year grants are £1,000 to £10,000 (up to £50,000 in exceptional cases), and multi-year grants £3,000 to £30,000 over up to three years. The fund runs until the wind farm closes in about 2030; the next deadline is 16 December 2026.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
£1,000 – £10,000
Deadline
34 days left
16 December
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Groups and organisations working to benefit people in the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District and Eddleston & District Community Council areas (Scottish Borders)
  • Applicants must meet Foundation Scotland's standard eligibility criteria: a governing document setting out charitable purposes, with a charitable asset lock and restrictions on benefit to individuals; at least three unrelated people on the management committee or board (a majority unrelated, and only a minority paid); the latest approved accounts (not abbreviated or micro-entity accounts) unless the organisation is under 18 months old; a bank account in the organisation's name with two unrelated signatories; ownership or a lease of at least five years for any building or land project, and independent advice for renewable or energy-efficiency installations; and a safeguarding policy if working with children or adults at risk
  • You don't need to be a registered charity
  • Groups based or delivering outside the area may apply if they evidence benefit to residents of the two community council areas (for example sessions elsewhere that local children attend); grants may be proportionate where a project benefits several places

What it funds

Charitable activities that achieve one or more of these priorities:

  • Enhance the quality of life for local residents
  • Contribute to a vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable community
  • Promote community spirit and encourage community activity
  • Tackle climate change at a local level

Grants can cover 100% of costs, but preference goes to projects with other funding, local consultation and support, alignment with the local Community Action Plan or Local Place Plan, local suppliers, care for the environment and partnership working. One-year grants up to £50,000 are possible in exceptional circumstances for projects with widespread community support and significant, long-lasting impact; speak to Foundation Scotland first.

What it will not fund

  • Applications from individuals to funds designed for groups
  • Schedule 3 Community Interest Companies
  • General fundraising appeals or activities
  • Trips abroad, unless the fund page says otherwise
  • Costs already incurred, or activities taking place before a grant decision (retrospective funding)
  • Repayment of loans or payment of debts
  • The advancement of religion or politics, including the core activities of religious or political groups (religious groups can apply for non-religious activity open to the wider community)
  • Work understood to be the exclusive responsibility of statutory authorities
  • Costs directly related to the sale of alcohol, including refurbishing a bar area
  • Organisations or activities where membership is restricted to particular groups, unless there is a clear and appropriate reason in line with the Equality Act 2010
  • Activities likely to bring the fund, Foundation Scotland or the fund donor into disrepute
  • Activities that conflict with the interests of the donor, such as anti-windfarm or anti-renewables projects where a renewable energy company provides the funding
  • Projects that don't benefit people living in the fund area (applicant organisations can be based outside it)

How to apply

  1. Read Foundation Scotland's application criteria and preview the application questions
  2. For a large grant (over £10,000, up to £50,000), speak to the Community Funds Adviser before applying
  3. Complete the online form for your route (small grants up to £5,000; grants over £5,000 up to £10,000; multi-year grants up to £30,000) and upload your supporting documents by 16 December 2026
  4. A Community Panel of seven local residents recommends awards; decisions are due in mid-February 2027

Grants are normally spent within a year unless multi-year funding is agreed. A micro-grant scheme for under £1,000 is to be run by the Community Council. The fund runs two rounds in 2026 and plans three a year from 2027.

Have ready

  • Constitution or other governing document
  • Latest set of approved accounts (unless your organisation is less than 18 months old)
  • A recent bank statement showing account name, number and sort code
  • Safeguarding policy and procedures, if your core work or the project involves children or vulnerable adults
  • At least one quote for each item costing £300 to £3,000, and at least three quotes for each item costing more than £3,000

supporting documents must be received with the application by the deadline.

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