Resilient Communities Fund

North of Scotland
Guidance on accessing funds

Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, your project must benefit communities that lie wholly within theScottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) area. If you are unsure who your distribution network operator is, please check here:
Key information
Who can I contact if I have any questions or need guidance? / Lindsay Dougan
Community Funds Manager
0141 224 7729
Working Pattern – Tue/Wed/Thur / GarethShields
Community Funds Manager
0141 224 7712

Where does this money come from? / SHEPD has established this fund to support communities in their power distribution network area to improve local resilience for future emergency weather events.
How do I apply? / If your project meets the fund criteria, please complete and submit an application form, which can be requested from SSE or downloaded from:

How much is the fund worth?
How much can I apply for? / For the North of Scotland SHEPD area, £165,000is currently available.You can apply for funding from £500 up to a maximum of £20,000.
How are decisions made?
Who makes the decisions? / The SHEPD Resilient Communities Fund Panel will review applications and determine which projects should receive funding. The panel comprises representatives of community and charitable organisations with expertise in community resilience planning alongside members of the SHEPD management team.
What is the timetable? / Round opens 27 June 2016
Deadline for applications 11 August2016
Panel decisions September 2016
Awards made by October 2016
  • We’ll contact you within two weeks of the panel meeting date to let you know whether your application has been successful or not.
  • Applications received after the deadline will not be eligible.
  • Applicants can only receive one grant award per round. Whilst subsequent applications can be made in future rounds, the funding should not be considered as core funding.

What can grants be used for? / The fund will provide support for projects which create a stronger, coordinated framework from which to effectively deal with severe weather situations at local level with particular focus on the welfare of vulnerable households.
What are the aims of the fund? / The fund will support projects that:
  • Protect the welfare of vulnerable customers during a significant power outage or emergency weather event
  • Enhance community facilities and services specifically to support the local response in the event of a significant power outage or emergency weather event(general upgrade or maintenance work will not be considered)
  • Improve communication during an emergency situation, to keep communities informed or aid contact between local groups and response services
Groups applying to the Fund must demonstrate that their project will further one
or more of the purposes listed above. Please Note- the first round of the fund was significantly oversubscribed and in the second roundpriority will be given to projectsthat:
  • Have experienced extended power outages as a result of severe weather in the past
  • Have a particular emphasis on supporting the community’s most vulnerable people including the elderly, those with young children or those with health or other additional needs
  • Are particularly remote/isolated and more difficult to reach by the emergency services in the event of a crisis

Project Guidance /
  • If applying for resilience equipment – consider carefully how your proposals fit with your community emergency plans. Consider which items are your priorities. Consider how materials will be stored and maintained.
  • If applying for generator equipment – make sure proposals fit with your community emergency plan. Consider if funding generator connection costs be more appropriate for your project. Ensure you request the appropriate sized generator for your needs. Please Note –groups applying for a generator are required to complete a Generator Specification Form in addition to the main application form

Who can apply? /
  • Communtiy groups based within the SHEPD distribution area
  • You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply, but your organisation must have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and be set up on a not-for-profit basis. If you are unsure if your group is eligible, please contact us for advice.

When must grants be spent by? /
  • Any grant received should be spent within one year of being awarded, with the exception of long-term projects (such as building work) which will be released in stages and must demonstrate progress within one year of award.

What happens when the project is finished? /
  • At the end of the activity period you must submit a final evaluation report in which we will ask you to fully report on the project and its outcomes.

Are there any activities you’re unable to support? /
  • Projects which do not benefit people living within the SHEPD distribution areas
  • Actions that are in conflict to the interests of SHEPD
  • Individuals
  • The advancement of religion or politics
  • The repayment of loans or payment of debts
  • Costs already incurred or activities which will take place before we have made a decision on an application (retrospective funding).
  • Payments towards activity which is theresponsibility of statutory authorities.

Issue 2.1 (SHEPD)Page 1 of 3
May 2016