To mark 10 years of operation, EDF power solutions brought together people and organisations whose lives and work have been supported by the fund since 2016.
More than £630,000 has supported over 300 individual bursaries for education and training. These awards have helped people pursue further education, retrain, return to work, take driving lessons to broaden their opportunities and meet childcare costs while studying.
The fund supports communities around Avonbridge and Standburn, Limerigg and Slamannan in Falkirk, and Blackridge in West Lothian. These areas have faced significant social and economic change following the decline of coal mining and heavy industry. While few community groups or charities were active in some areas in the past, local activity is growing.
Thanks to the initial funding from the Burnhead Moss wind farm, recipients have gone onto secure a further £1 million in match funding, extending the impact of the original awards.
In Avonbridge and Standburn, funding has supported playground improvements, cycling opportunities, school transport, bike-maintenance skills, holiday meal programmes, Bookbug activities and projects to improve biodiversity—reaching residents of all ages.
In Limerigg and Slamannan, grants have helped transform the playpark, establish Martha’s Pantry in response to food insecurity, provide affordable family activities and fund Christmas events that ease pressure on household budgets.
In Blackridge, grants have helped older residents stay connected through regular group activities, room hire, music classes and community transport. Funding has also supported school excursions.
A key development over the decade has been a shift from funding activities alone to building the skills and capacity needed to deliver community-led projects. Since 2022, grants have supported community development officer roles hosted by CVS Falkirk and District—first in Limerigg and Slamannan, and later in Avonbridge and Standburn. Working alongside local groups and volunteers, the officers help develop ideas, refresh Community Action Plans, build skills, find partners and secure funding.
Piero Maggio, Asset Operations Director at EDF power solutions UK, said: “I’m proud to see the difference the Burnhead Moss Community Benefit Fund has made over the past decade. Local people have helped shape how the funding is spent, so it can support what matters most in their communities. I’m especially grateful to everyone who has given their time to represent local voices and help make that happen.
“The fund’s impact is about people: easing cost-of-living pressures, bringing people together and creating places where communities can thrive.”
Victoria McRae, CEO, CVS Falkirk and District, “Support from the Burnhead Moss Community Fund has been transformational for these rural communities. This investment not only helped us turn community aspirations into tangible projects, but strengthened the community members’ capacity, confidence, and resilience. Through the community funding, and the belief in our vision, we’ve been able to deliver real, lasting impact — creating spaces, connections, and opportunities that will benefit these rural communities for years to come.”
Karen Henderson, Limerigg Action Group said: “Limerigg Action Group has relied on support from Burnhead Moss for part-funding to help deliver the upgrade of our play park as well as the ‘Party in the Park’ event to celebrate our amazing new amenity for the community. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive and it has set us up well for taking forward further improvements to the area.”
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