Community Benefit Fund and The Growspace Network

Highlights

Main Information

To support the development of the transmission network in the North of Scotland and create additional value for the communities hosting this infrastructure, SSEN Transmission introduced Community Benefit Funds in the context of their infrastructure projects. This was implemented in parallel with guidance published on 10 March 2025 by the UK Government for community benefit funding associated with electricity transmission projects. The Fund has two streams, a regional fund supporting projects with a significant impact at a large regional scale, and local funds, which are dedicated to communities that are close to the proposed infrastructure. Both have their own independent panel, made up of community members in the case of local funds, to ensure transparent funding decisions. The amounts distributed to the Fund by SSEN Transmission are £530,000 for each substation, converter station and switching station and £200,000 per km of overhead line. 

SSEN Transmission’s approach relies on several principles:  

• Sharing value: Delivering positive benefits across the North of Scotland, while ensuring that funding is distributed fairly and in collaboration with the communities involved. 

• Co-creation to maximise impact: Working with communities to ensure that local priorities are taken into consideration, and that any funding will have the maximum possible impact for the community.  

• Flexibility: Having a flexible approach to changing priorities and project environments to quickly respond to emerging issues.  

• Good governance: Building trust with communities and ensuring that all decision-making for funds is independent and representative of communities.  

• Transparency: Treating communities with respect and providing honest, open, and meaningful engagement at all stages of engagement. 

Residents or organisations wishing to receive funding can apply through the Community Investment Portal. The applications are then reviewed by the regional or local panels, based on which awards are attributed. For example, this is how SSEN Transmission awarded £5,000 to The Growspace Network in the context of the East Coast 400kV Upgrade Local Fund. 

Located on Moncreiffe Hill, near Bridge of Earn in Scotland, The Growspace Network have created a community gardening space, aimed at supporting the community to connect with nature and learn new skills relating to growing their own food and flowers. The £5,000 award from the East Coast Fund has enabled this vision to become a reality, by funding the purchase of a polytunnel, a compost toilet for visitors and volunteers, and the compost required for the initial planting at the site. This critical infrastructure for the site will enable ongoing sustainable food growing, wellness activities and community connection.  

Working with other local community groups, The Growspace Network are aiming to make the site a key community space, reaching up to 500 people. Community members will be able to meet others and socialise, pick their own food and flowers, and attend free sessions on practical topics such as permaculture, food preservation and seed saving.  

Chrissie Valluri, from The Growspace Network, said: “It’s such an amazing feeling to receive this support, especially as we only launched The Growspace Network in early 2025. The funding has helped us build a polytunnel and buy plants and compost, helping create a welcoming, beautiful space where people can connect with nature, spend time together, and enjoy growing things. This award allowed us to share and engage more deeply with our community – passing on knowledge, building confidence, and supporting people to grow both food and resilience. Our long-term vision is to build a wider food-growing and mental wellbeing network, and we hope this is the first of many spaces where we can create lasting impact through connection and care.”