Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Vision Fund

The Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund, set up with Vattenfall's wind farm and run as a community interest company for about twenty years, supports communities in its area of benefit in parts of Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf, against priorities set by local people in its prospectus. Its Vision Fund gives grants over £6,500 (capital and/or revenue) for activity that is visionary, bold and ambitious, involves partnership working, and benefits people and communities and supports regeneration. New and developing businesses, voluntary sector and community groups can apply; businesses are expected to create jobs and skills in the fund area, and profit-making businesses may be offered a loan or a loan and grant mix (usually interest free). Public bodies cannot apply, but partnership working is welcome. It cannot fund activity without clear benefit to the area of benefit, statutory responsibilities, individuals (other than those starting or developing a business), party political or exclusively religious activity, past costs, recoverable VAT or non-renewable energy schemes. There is no deadline; applicants must discuss their plans with the fund first.