Community Hydro Fund
Strathard receives community benefit funds from the Bruach Caorainn Hydro Scheme each year. The funds are administered by Strathard Community Trust, and channelled into the Community Hydro Fund for the benefit of the community.
There are currently two application rounds each year. Time critical applications will be considered at any time.
Application Guidelines
To make the most of our limited funds:
- Projects should help deliver the Strathard Community Action Plan.
- We expect individual grants to be between £250 and £1,500.
- While 100% funding will be considered for smaller projects, projects that can attract additional funding will help to make the best use of our local funds.
- We welcome projects that bring groups together to achieve common aims.
- We will not, in general, provide core funding for organisations.
Priority will be given to projects based on the extent to which they deliver the aims of the Strathard Community Action Plan.
Types of funding
Funding can be used flexibly – please ask if you have a question. Examples include volunteer expenses, equipment hire or purchase, materials, or fees where professional support is needed. We may consider support for feasibility studies, where these would help deliver larger projects in the longer term.
Assessment Process
Discussion of projects in advance of application is very welcome – contact details are contained in the Application Guidelines.
After your application is received, you will be contacted by the Secretary of Strathard Community Trust, who may want to meet you to talk about any points in your application that may need clarification. The contact details you provide will be used for this purpose.
If your application meets the fund’s criteria it will be considered by a committee including some of the Directors of Strathard Community Trust, as well as one or more representatives of other organisations. The committee will meet shortly after the deadline, and applicants will be advised of the decision as soon as possible after the meeting.
At the end of your project you will be asked to complete a brief report on the project and provide evidence of your spending. Future applications will take account of your delivery earlier projects, including the completion of these reports.
You will be expected to acknowledge funding by Strathard Community Hydro Fund in any project material or publicity, including on line or on social media. We would also welcome photos which we may use in our own material. Where people are included in photos, applicants should ensure that they have the permission of those pictured for use in this way.
How to Apply
You can download the Application Form (Word format) and Application Guidelines (PDF format) here.
It should be submitted by email (contact details are contained in the Application Guidelines). Projects wishing to apply outwith the advertised deadlines should contact the fund co-ordinator.
The following will also be required:
- Budget relating to the application with full details of costs and any income you expect to generate
- Most recent independently examined accounts of the organisation(s) involve
- Quotes or tenders if relevant, or details of the process you will go through before awarding contracts
- Any other documentation that you think may be relevant, such as a business or project plan may also be included.