News / Viking Community Fund celebrates hitting £1m milestone in grants
ONE MILLION pounds has been paid out by a community benefit fund set up to redistribute cash from the Viking Energy wind farm.
A total of 52 projects have received money from the Viking Community Fund since it was launched on 1 September 2024, totalling £1,000,000.
Shetland Community Benefit Fund (SCBF) – which manages and distributes the cash – said it was a milestone it was proud to have reached in just over six months.
The Brae Rural Energy Hub is one major project to benefit, receiving £114,349 to go towards staffing costs from November 2025 to October 2029.
Funding has ranged from £500 to local youth clubs and sports teams, to £200,000 for both the MRI Scanner Appeal and a council energy efficiency programme.
SCBF fund manager Eleanor Gear paid tribute to the variety of projects that the fund had been asked to support.
“It’s not always the largest grant awards that deliver the greatest value to our communities,” she said.
“Often those smaller grants to enhance a project or test an idea have just as big an impact.”
Brae Rural Energy Hub director Andrew Hall said they were “delighted” to receive funding through the Viking Community Fund.
“Having staff within the Brae Rural Energy Hub is essential to its success,” he said.
“Our staff will be located within the hub at the Brae Youth and Community Centre daily, offering the public support in our services such as hiring electric bikes, using our co-working space and electric chargers.”
The South Nesting Boating Club have been awarded £79,800 for an environmental impact assessment to progress their marina project, while £60,000 was given to the Scalloway Community Development Company for a district heating feasibility study.
Other projects include £34,200 to the Brae Community Hall to upgrade the surface of their car park and the Bigton Community Shop also received £3,850 for a similar project.
Youth-focused projects included £920 for new equipment and roller skates for the Lunnasting Young Ones Club, £1,000 for the Aith Brownies for filmmaking equipment and £766 for sports equipment and craft kits for the Tingwall Youth Club.
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