Inch Cape and the Community
Inch Cape works with the communities where the project will have an impact through regular communication and engagement. This includes programmes with schools and support of worthwhile initiatives through the Inch Cape Construction Fund.
Inch Cape Construction Fund
The Inch Cape Construction Fund provides grants to local community groups and charities benefiting the communities surrounding the site of the project’s onshore substation at Cockenzie, East Lothian namely within one or both of the following community council areas:
- Prestonpans
- Cockenzie & Port Seton
The Fund is now seeking applications from groups and organisations with projects or initiatives that aim to tackle the effects of poverty and inequality or to improve the local environment and support a sustainable future. The applying organisation does not have to be a registered charity, but the aim of funded activities must be charitable.
This Fund is specific to the project’s onshore substation construction phase and is separate from any community benefit fund associated with the project once the offshore wind farm is operational.
Foundation Scotland
The Fund is administered by Foundation Scotland, an independent grant-making charity.
To find out more information about the fund and how to apply for a grant visit the Inch Cape Construction Fund page here. You can also download this Inch Cape Construction Fund Poster with more information and contact details.
What the Inch Cape Construction Fund has supported
In its first year, the Inch Cape Construction Fund supported a total of 29 different community groups, awarding £44,294 to facilitate 30 local initiatives. More than 85% of groups who applied for funding received support and the organisations supported were able to leverage an additional £179,583.37 in matched funding. This means that for every £1 awarded through the Fund, an additional £4.05 was brought into the community. Read all about of the first year of the fund in the Foundation Scotland Inch Cape Report 2024.
In its second year, the Inch Cape Construction Fund supported a total of 20 different community groups, awarding a total of £37,507.63 to facilitate 20 community initiatives. More than 75% of those groups applying for funding were successful and the organisations supported were able to leverage an additional £231,845.14 in matched funding. In real terms this means that for every £1 awarded through the Fund, an additional £6.18 was brought into the community. To read more about the activity of the fund during its second year you can read the Foundation Scotland Inch Cape Report 2025.
To find out about the organisations and initiatives supported by grants to date visit the Construction Fund grants awarded page.
Community gallery
Christmas lights 2025
Working with young people
Inch Cape is actively working with schools and education providers to improve knowledge and awareness about offshore wind and to highlight the range of careers and opportunities available in the sector. To date this work has focused on schools closest to the onshore construction site but has also involved activities in Dundee & Angus, nearer to the location of our long-term operations & maintenance base.
At Cockenzie and Longniddry Primary Schools in East Lothian, Inch Cape team members have partnered with Siemens Energy on the nationwide Primary Engineer competition, asking students ‘if you were an engineer what would you do’? At Preston Lodge High School, the S1 home group of 190 students was set a term-long project to devise plans to regenerate the seafront, with support throughout from Inch Cape engineers and consents specialists.
The project has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Edinburgh College to support a range of STEM-focused, skills-related initiatives, including the purchase of two virtual welding kits, delivery of a Level 5 renewable energy unit and development of an interactive immersive package for P7 and S1 students.
With a long-term base in Montrose, Inch Cape is also starting to work closely with Dundee & Angus College, particularly on the development of the Montrose Port Skills Academy. More information on this exciting initiative and how to get involved can be found in this introductory booklet.
Inch Cape also works with the wider industry around skills and jobs related to offshore wind and can recommend this Career Opportunities across Scotland in Offshore Wind 2025 a good starting point if a career in the sector is of interest.
Education gallery
about the marine environment
