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Wind Farm Community Benefit funds support local community groups, voluntary organisations and environmental projects within the boundaries of wind farms sited across County Durham. Please check to see if you are in an eligible area.

The Wind Farm Community Benefit Programme is made up of a number of funds managed by the Foundation on behalf of energy providers.

Who can apply?

Charities, voluntary, community groups, town and parish councils, schools and educational establishments, and social enterprises provided they operate on a not-for-profit basis and are located within a 3 mile radius of the wind farm site (in some instances 6 miles) as well as named villages.  Please check the geographic boundaries and the criteria in the guidelines to make sure you are eligible. Please check here for guidelines.


County Durham – East

RWE – Haswell Moor Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund.

Grants up to £5,000

Eligible area: Easington Lane, Haswell, Haswell Plough, High Pittington, Littletown, Low Pittington, Ludworth, Cassop, Old Cassop, Shadforth, Sherburn Village, Sherburn Hill, Thornley and Wheatley Hill.

Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in February, May, August and November.

RWE – Great Eppleton Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund

Grants to £5,000

Eligible area: Chilton Moor, Colliery Row, Easington Lane, Grasswell, Hetton, Houghton-le-Spring, Littletown, Rainton/Rainton East/Middle/Gate, Murton, South Hetton, Seaton, Sunniside, Warden Law.

Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in February, May, August and November.

South Sharpley Community Benefits Fund 

Grants up to £5,000

Eligible area: Dalton-le-Dale, Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton-le-Spring, Murton, Silksworth, Seaham Grange, Seaton

Deadline:  Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in February, May, August and November.

High Haswell Community Benefits Fund

Grants up to £5,000

Eligible area: Haswell, Ludworth, Shadforth, Shotton Colliery, South Hetton, Thornley, Wheatley Hill

Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in February, May, August and November.


County Durham – West

ESB West Durham Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund

Grants up to £5000

Eligible area: 3-mile radius of the wind farm and also include the following five named villages: Cornsay, Cornsay Colliery, Hamsteels, East Hedleyhope and Satley. A 10-mile radius of the site will be considered if beneficiaries come from within the 3-mile radius and/or the five named villages.

EDFE – High Hedley Hope II Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund

Grant Range: up to £2,000

Eligible area: Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm  – Cornsay, East Hedleyhope, Esh, Esh Winning, Roddymoor, Satley, Sunniside, Tow Law, Waterhouses

Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in February, June and October. Please note – the deadline for applications to be reviewed at the October 2023 meeting is 17th September 2023.

EDFE – Broom Hill Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund 

Grant Range: up to £2,000

Eligible area: Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm – Billy Row, Cornsay Colliery, Crook, East Hedleyhope, Esh Winning, Fir Tree, Hedley Hill, Oakenshaw, Roddymoor, Stanley
Sunniside, Thornley

Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in February, June and October. Please note – the deadline for applications to be reviewed at the October 2023 meeting is 17th September 2023.


County Durham – North & Boundary

EDFE – Langley Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund

Grants up to £2,000

Eligible area: Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm – Craghead, Edmondsley, Esh, Grange Villa, Greencroft, Hartside, Hett Hills, Holmside, Lanchester, Langley Park, Maiden Law, Pelton Fell, Plawsworth, Quebec, Sacriston, South Moor, Tan Hills, The Middles, Waldridge, Witton Gilbert

Deadlines: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in February, June and October. Please note – the deadline for applications to be reviewed at the October 2023 meeting is 17th September 2023.

EDFE – Boundary Lane Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund

Grants up to £5,000

Eligible area: Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm – Snods Edge, Chopwell, Shotley Bridge, Stocksfield

Deadline for application submissions: Applications can be made at any time. The panel consider applications in February,  May, August and November.


County Durham – South

EDFE – Trimdon Grange Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund

Grant Range: up to £5,000

Eligible area: Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm including Bishop Middleham, Cassop, Cornforth, Coxhoe, Fishburn, Kelloe, Old Cassop, Old Quarrington, Quarrington Hill, Running Waters, Shadforth, Station Town, Thornley, Wheatley Hill, Wingate ,Trimdon & Trimdon Colliery/Grange/Station

Deadline for application submissions: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in January, April, July and October.

EDFE – Walkway Wind Farm Fund

Grant Range: up to £5,000

Eligible area: Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm including Sedgefield, Trimdon, Fishburn, Wynyard

Deadline for application submissions: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in January, April, July and October.

RWE – Butterwick Moor Wind Farm Community Benefits Fund

Grant Range: up to £5,000

Eligible area: Villages situated within 3 miles of the wind farm including, Fishburn, Thorpe Larches, Trimdon, Trimdon Station, Sedgefield, Winterton

Deadline for application submissions: Applications can be made at any time.  The panel consider applications in January, April, July and October.