More than £385,000 awarded to Peterhead community projects through Eastern Green Link 2 fund
28 October 2026
- Nine local organisations receive funding through second round of major community benefit fund
Image: Grampian Heart and Health has received over £14,000 to recruit and train new instructors to provide cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes
Organisations across Peterhead and surrounding communities are set to benefit from more than £385,000 in the latest awards from the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) Peterhead Local Fund.
A total of £385,324.94 has been awarded through the second round of the fund, supporting projects focused on employability and skills, tackling poverty, mental health and wellbeing, environmental improvements, community regeneration and STEM education.
In total, the EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund will provide £2,159,444 to communities in and around Peterhead over four years, through to 2029.
Last year, local organisations benefited from over £420,000 in the first awards from the fund, which is being delivered as part of the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission project.
Nine local organisations receive funding
The successful Round 2 award recipients are:
Aberdeen Foyer, £115,000
To develop the Opportunity Hub, providing support, skills development and employability opportunities for young people in Peterhead and surrounding communities.
Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, £48,559.14
To create a Peterhead Foodbank and Anti-Poverty Hub, providing emergency food, advice pathways, volunteering opportunities and coordinated support for local people experiencing financial crisis.
Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust, £29,711
To provide vulnerable children and young people with opportunities to enjoy watersports, build confidence and improve their mental health.
Aberdeenshire Sma Wids, £25,000
To plant native small woodlands across the area, helping to enhance biodiversity, capture carbon, create wildlife habitats, improve community wellbeing and build climate resilience through community-led action.
GCRA Ltd, trading as Grampian Heart and Health, £14,056
To recruit and train new instructors to provide cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes and educate participants in proactive healthy living.
Mintlaw Academy Parent Council, £13,858.80
To provide a laser cutter, enabling pupils to develop industry-relevant skills while creating resources, awards and commemorative items for the community.
Peterhead Area Community Trust, £45,000
To employ a Development Officer to strengthen organisational capacity, increase community engagement and support the delivery of key regeneration projects.
Shirley’s Space, £50,000
To support the expansion of community-based mental health services and help ensure their sustainability.
TechFest, £44,140
To deliver STEM learning through primary school outreach, secondary school project days and free community activities, engaging young people and families.
Fionán Doonan, Eastern Green Link 2 Project Director, said:
“We’re delighted to announce the latest awards from the Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund, with more than £385,000 going to nine fantastic projects across Peterhead and the surrounding area.
“What is particularly encouraging is the range of projects being supported, led by organisations that know their communities best and can make a real impact for local people.
“We’re continuing to make strong progress on EGL2, with construction advancing in Peterhead. Alongside that progress, the project is already delivering wider benefits locally through investment in skills and education, community initiatives and volunteering, as well as our dedicated Local Fund.
“EGL2 is a major investment in our electricity transmission network and, alongside delivering this nationally important infrastructure, we want to ensure the project leaves a lasting, positive legacy for the communities closest to our works.”
Funding recipients welcome awards
Grampian Heart and Health: Jim Saunders, Funding Co-ordinator
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive a grant of £14,056 from SSEN Transmission’s Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund.
“This incredible support will allow us to welcome and specially train two new instructors to our team. As a result, we will expand our cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise classes throughout Peterhead and neighbouring communities, helping more local participants take a proactive and informed approach to healthy living.”
Aberdeenshire Sma Wids: Jane Oosterhof, Trustee
“This support from SSEN Transmission will allow us to help more farmers, landowners and local communities establish small areas of woodland and hedgerows across Buchan and the wider Aberdeenshire area.
“We are passionate about making tree planting accessible, practical and achievable, demonstrating that even small areas of woodland can deliver significant benefits for biodiversity, livestock shelter, our landscapes and the wider environment.
“We are extremely grateful to SSEN Transmission for supporting our work and helping us create a greener, more resilient countryside for future generations.”
Aberdeen Foyer: Leona McDermid, CEO
“We know every young person deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of the challenges they face.
“Thanks to SSEN Transmission’s support through the Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund, the Opportunity Hub will provide a welcoming, safe place where young people can access the support, skills and opportunities they need to build brighter futures.
“We are delighted to be working together to create more pathways into learning, employment and long-term success for young people in Peterhead and the surrounding communities.”
Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust: Angie Fraser, Principal
“We are delighted to have been selected to receive this funding. It will make a huge difference to the families in Peterhead we are already working with, as well as new families we will begin working with. It will also support disabled people who want to start or continue sailing, and children and young people who need a little support to build confidence and find happiness.
“Sailing, windsurfing and paddleboarding are great ways to grow in confidence, make new friendships and have fun. We hope that all the children, young people and people with disabilities who participate with us find a community and a place where they belong.
“Thank you to SSEN Transmission from everyone at Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust.”
TechFest: Martha Gavan, Managing Director
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from the Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund. This funding will allow TechFest to bring exciting, hands-on STEM experiences directly to schools and communities across Peterhead and the surrounding area, reaching thousands of young people and families over the next two years.
“With Peterhead playing such an important role in Scotland’s energy future, it’s vital that local young people have opportunities to explore STEM, develop their skills and discover the exciting careers available to them.
“We’re incredibly grateful for this investment, which will help us inspire the next generation while making STEM learning accessible to everyone.”
Peterhead Area Community Trust (PACT): Wayne Beagrie, Trustee
“We are absolutely delighted that Peterhead Area Community Trust has been awarded funding from the Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund. This funding will allow us to continue our Development Officer role, strengthen partnerships, attract further investment and secure the long-term sustainability of our projects.
“As a volunteer-led charity, our achievements would not be possible without the incredible generosity and practical support we receive from our local community, businesses and partner organisations. Their continued belief in PACT has helped us transform community spaces and create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
“Exciting plans for the connecting path between Victoria Community Park and Barclay Park are already well under way, alongside plans for the fort at Victoria Community Park. Our community engagement is also expanding, bringing more residents, groups and organisations together to help shape our future developments.
“We are immensely proud of what has been achieved, and this investment will help us build on our success, deliver lasting improvements and ensure Peterhead remains a community where everyone can benefit."