First awards from Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund to deliver over £420,000 for local communities

Community groups in Peterhead and the surrounding area have been awarded a share of over £420,000 in the first awards from a new community benefit fund delivered as part of the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission project.

The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) Peterhead Local Fund, which will deliver over £2 million in community benefit funding, has awarded a total of £420,294 to 12 groups and organisations in the local area, including:

• £99,800 to Peterhead FC Community Foundation to expand its successful partner school program across the local area
• £60,000 to Peterhead Golf Club to help in its efforts to secure the future of the Birnie Bridge
• £53,504 to Aberdeen Science Centre to engage primary school children from Peterhead and the surrounding area by launching six local STEM education clubs
• £23,340 to Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust to run watersports activities for children and young people in Peterhead, promoting personal development and mental health

In total, the EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund will provide a total of £2,159,444 to communities in and around the Blue Toon over a five-year period, supporting projects and initiatives covering several priority areas that have been shaped by input from the local community.

A panel of local people has been established to oversee funding decisions, ensuring that the fund is spent on local priorities identified in consultation with the local community.

EGL2’s Project Director, Fionán Doonan, said: “We’re delighted to announce the first awards from the EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund, supporting projects and initiatives that are promoting skills, improving community infrastructure, and celebrating local heritage and culture.

“We recently celebrated a major milestone in reaching a year of delivery on EGL2, and the first awards from our dedicated local fund is another key moment in the lifetime of this project that is bringing huge economic benefits to Peterhead and surrounding communities.

“We are committed to delivering a strong and positive legacy for communities through EGL2, and these awards are testament to this commitment. Our congratulations go to all the recipients, and we look forward to seeing the benefits of this funding in the months and years ahead.”

Comments from award recipients:

Gavin Mundie, Peterhead FC Community Foundation Chairperson said: "The SSEN Transmission award to Peterhead FC Community Foundation Partner Schools project is transformational, not only for the growth of the project but for the impact it will deliver for the young people of our community.

“The Partner School program has received national recognition and delivers real support at a critical stage of development; this award provides two years of support that enables more schools and pupils to benefit.

"All at Peterhead FC Community Foundation are extremely grateful for the SSEN Transmission investment and support in our community via our Partner School program."

Steph McCann, Head of Fundraising at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are delighted to receive support from the Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund to bring inspiring, hands-on STEM learning to children across Peterhead and nearby areas by introducing six new STEM clubs.

“The STEM Clubs will be run in partnership with local schools, as well as one community-based club and will run from October 2026. This funding enables us to remove both financial and geographical barriers to participation and help young people discover the excitement and opportunities that science, technology, engineering and maths can offer."

Graham Leggat, Honorary Vice President, Peterhead Golf Club, said: “The Board and members of Peterhead Golf Club sincerely appreciate the generosity and commitment from the EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund in awarding a grant towards the maintenance of the Birnie Bridge.

“The project requires a complete repaint of the bridge to secure its future integrity, which will allow continued use to golfers and the public accessing the links and beach at Craigewan. We are indebted to SSEN Transmission in establishing this fund in direct support of communities.”

Angie Fraser, Principal, Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust, said: "We are delighted to receive the news of this funding. This will allow us to continue and grow our work with children and young people in need in Peterhead to support their development and mental health.

"This is going to have a huge impact on children and young people in need and facing challenges in our area.  We're very excited now about what next season will bring."

Full list of award recipients:

SeaFest Peterhead 2027 (£10,000)
Return of award-winning coastal festival celebrating seafood, heritage and community pride, promoting Peterhead as a growing food and drink tourism destination.

Buchanhaven Heritage Society and Community Centre (£16,000)
Help with costs towards ‘memory shed’, storing and displaying books and photo albums that help preserve the past for future generations. Will be available for all ages and abilities to use.

Port Erroll Heritage Group (£30,800)
To upgrade the Mission Hall in Port Erroll to become a permanent exhibition site, providing access for the local community to information about local history.

Cabin Club Afterschool CIC (£10,000)
Funding to build a weatherproof cabin to provide shelter, enhancing comfort and safety for children during outdoor forest school sessions in colder weather.

Peterhead Sea Cadets Unit 269 (£21,755)
To replace 25-year-old rigid inflatable boat which plays an essential role in delivering a range of boating activities within Peterhead Marina and Bay.

Aberdeenshire Sailing Trust (£23,340)
This project will run water sports activities for children and young people in Peterhead, promoting personal development and mental health.

Aberdeen Science Centre (£53,504)
Engaging primary school children from Peterhead and the surrounding areas with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by launching six local STEM clubs.

Peterhead FC Community Foundation (£99,800)
Expansion of successful Partner School Program across the AB42 postcode area. The programme provides an inclusive, fulfilling and engaging experience emphasising inclusive participation and activities to capture children's interest and support the curriculum needs of partner schools.

WBC Media CIC (£20,000)
To fit a new kitchen, replace leaking steel roof and repairing damage to internal walls and ceiling.

Peterhead Golf Club (£60,000)
Access to Peterhead Golf Club is via a footbridge (Birnie Bridge) over the River Ugie. The footbridge, which is well used by the local community to access the links and beach at Craigewan, currently requires extensive maintenance.

Peterhead Area Community Trust (£30,000)
To recruit a Development Officer to build additional capacity, support for projects to drive growth by securing funding, building partnerships and enabling strategic initiatives.

Buchan Development Partnership (£45,095)
To employ a trainee Community Development Officer for two years, with a remit to provide capacity building and support for communities to identify and deliver their priorities.