6 Mar 2026
Thursday 26th February saw over 75 people attend a celebration of seven years of community benefit funding from the GDT, with funds from Blackcraig and Windy Rig Wind Farms.
In this period, the fund has distributed over £1.5 million in grants, which has unlocked a further £3.25 million in investment into the area from other funders. From funding science workshops for schoolchildren to fixing the roofs on village halls, helping local producers to find an outlet for their produce, or awarding financial grants for Glenkens residents to help them to gain work-related qualifications, the fund has had a huge impact on Glenkens communities and residents of all ages.
On the evening, almost fifty organisations were represented, along with members of the public, who joined invited guests including Emma Harper MSP and Francesca Vacca of the Scottish Government to learn about the 165 different projects that the fund has supported.
Feedback was very positive: attendees stated that they were impressed at the breadth and variety of the projects, the desire across the Glenkens to work collectively, and the fact that these funds have made such a difference for the whole community. There was unanimous agreement that it is important that decisions about funding are made by local people, who know the area and its needs best. Useful feedback about potential barriers for people applying to the fund was also received, which the GDT will take into account as part of its ongoing fund review.
One attendee commented 'I just want to add my heartfelt thanks to the GDT and all its associates for everything they have achieved for our community. The dedication of the volunteers - not only in stewarding funds but bringing projects to life - has been truly extraordinary. In the 25 years I have lived in the Glenkens, it has become a vibrant and inspiring example of how a community can work together towards a positive future, embracing diverse interests whilst delivering lasting benefit and a proud legacy for the people who live here.'
The event was hosted in Dalry Town Hall, between 3.30 and 7.30pm. Current and former GDT Trustees were present, as well as Sam Bramwell from Foundation Scotland, an independent charity that works with a number of community benefit funds, and supports the GDT in its grant making work.
If you missed the event, display material from the day can be seen here
https://www.flipsnack.com/76F9C977C6F/gdt-flipsnack-presentation
Here are some quotes from projects supported by The Glenkens & District Fund over the last seven years...
"The award from Glenkens & District Trust has allowed us to bring together a number of different partners and try some really innovative things, delivering social, ecological and economic benefits on our local woodlands. Our project has attracted attention on a regional and national stage, with part so if being replicated further afield."- McNabb Laurie, D&G Woodlands
"GDT’s financial support has been absolutely vital in enabling us to have the confidence to experiment with our business model and continue to deliver on our twin key aims of providing social cohesion and employment opportunities with in New Galloway." - Murray Johnstone, New Galloway Community Enterprises
"This project has safeguarded the future of the Loch Ken Trust Community Ranger Service, and allowed us to continue to thrive in our communities and make plans for the future. Since our launch in 2021,our Ranger Service has grown and is well established within our communities, caring for and protecting the wonderful environment we have here at Loch Ken through regular patrolling on land and water. We now have a regular programme of ranger education activity sessions for local schools and an established Loch Ken Youth Water Safety Programme, along with a host of environmental and community resilience projects." Lindsay Stewart, Loch Ken Trust
"The award from Blackcraig Windfarm Community Fund allowed us to leverage a grant from Scottish Government CARES Fund for our Net Zero project. The project will provide improved hall heating whilst offsetting energy usage by employing a PV Solar array and also enhanced heat recovery from our roof space. Moreover, as we move the project to completion, lessons learned by us can be shared with other local community spaces intent on the same journey." Jim Reid, Dalry Town Hall
The Glenkens & District Community Fund distributes funds provided from Blackcraig and Windy Rig Wind Farms. Decisions on grant awards are made by the Trustees of  Glenkens & District Trust, who are individuals appointed by our local Community Councils and others drawn from across the fund area, all of whom give their time as volunteers. The Fund is run in partnership with Foundation Scotland, an independent charity, which provides fund administration and grant management support.