Local communities invited to shape £8.845 million North Aberdeenshire Local Fund
15 October 2026
- Consultation events will give local people a direct say in how the new community benefit fund is designed
- Our largest local fund to date will create meaningful and lasting benefits for local communities
We are inviting local people, community groups and organisations to help shape our new North Aberdeenshire Local Fund, helping ensure local priorities are at the heart of how up to £8.845 million in funding is invested in the area.
The community benefit fund is linked to new electricity transmission infrastructure developments across North Aberdeenshire and is intended to support communities located closest to the project infrastructure.
It will be our largest local community benefit fund for communities hosting new clean energy infrastructure to date. Our Local Funds form part of a wider programme of local and regional community benefit funding expected to deliver more than £100 million to communities across the north of Scotland.
A programme of consultation events will begin on Wednesday 28 October, giving communities an opportunity to influence the fund from the outset. The consultation will seek views on:
- The types of projects and activities that should be eligible for funding.
- Local priorities and themes for investment.
- How funding should be distributed.
- The amount of funding that should be available each year.
- How long the fund should operate.
A series of consultation events will take place across North Aberdeenshire, giving local people an opportunity to learn more about the fund, ask questions and share their views:
- Wednesday 28 October - Baden-Powell Centre, Turriff
Exploring Social Value for Greens Substation event, including a presentation and Q&A on the North Aberdeenshire Local Fund. Sessions will take place from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm. Attendees can register by emailing greens.substation@sse.com. - Thursday 29 October - The Hub, Peterhead
Drop-in session, presentation and Q&A from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. - Friday 30 October - Cuminestown Village Hall
Drop-in session, presentation and Q&A from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. - Monday 2 November - Cairnie Memorial Hall
Drop-in session, presentation and Q&A from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. - Tuesday 3 November - Maud Resource Centre
Drop-in engagement session from 10.30am to 4pm. - Wednesday 4 November - New Deer Public Hall
Drop-in session, presentation and Q&A from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. - Thursday 5 November - MACBI, Mintlaw
Drop-in engagement session from 10.30am to 4pm. - Saturday 7 November - Huntly Farmers Market
Information and engagement stall from 10am to 1pm. - Wednesday 11 and Monday 16 November
Online consultation events from 7pm to 8pm.
Registration details are available on the fund webpage. - Thursday 19 November - Boddam (venue to be confirmed)
Drop-in session, presentation and Q&A from 5.30pm to 8.30pm. - Friday 20 November - Longside Parish Church Hall
Drop-in session, presentation and Q&A from 3:30pm to 7.30pm.
Alongside the events, an online survey will provide a further opportunity for people to share their views on the design of the fund. The survey will be available on the North Aberdeenshire Local Fund webpage from 26 October until 27 November 2026, with paper copies also available at in-person events
Alice Masson, Community Investment Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:
“The North Aberdeenshire Local Fund represents a significant opportunity to deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for communities located closest to our infrastructure.
“Local people understand their communities’ needs and ambitions better than anyone, which is why we want them to help shape the fund from the very beginning. These events are an opportunity to tell us what the fund should support, how it should operate and how this investment can make the greatest possible difference.
“Whether you have an idea for your community, represent a local organisation or simply want to have your say, we would encourage you to come along, ask questions and help us design a fund that reflects local priorities.”
The feedback gathered through the consultation will help inform the design and future operation of the fund.
Further information about the consultation, including registration details for the online events, are available on the North Aberdeenshire Local Fund webpage.