The Viking Community Fund has awarded over £1,000,000 to 52 projects since it was launched on 1st September last year. Shetland Community Benefit Fund, which manages the Viking fund, said this was a milestone it was proud to have achieved in just over six months.
From £500 to local youth clubs and sports teams up to £200,000 for the MRI Scanner Appeal and the £200,000 Energy Efficiency programme.
Eleanor Gear, the SCBF Fund Manager, said: “It’s not always the largest grant awards that deliver the greatest value to our communities, often those smaller grants to enhance a project or test an idea have just as big an impact.”
Projects meeting the Strategic priorities for funding account for over £600,000 and include, £114,349 to the Brae Rural Energy Hub towards staffing costs over 4 years from November 2025 to October 2029.
Andrew Hall, Director of the Brae Rural Energy Hub board said “We are delighted to have been awarded funding from the Viking Community Fund. Having staff within the Brae Rural Energy Hub is essential to its success. Our staff will be located within the Hub at the Brae Youth and Community Centre daily, offering the public support in our services such as hiring electric bikes, using our co-working space and electric chargers. As well as this, they are there to co-ordinate events and offer energy advice, supporting the community to reduce energy costs and increase awareness of simple ways to reduce carbon footprint”
The South Nesting Boating Club have been awarded £79,800 for an Environmental Impact Assessment to progress their marina project, £60,000 for the Scalloway Community Development Company for a District Heating Feasibility study and £17,273 to the Fair Isle Marine Research Organisation (FIMRO) for a sand eel survey.
A Community Grant Scheme supported project with a Shetland-wide reach is the employment by Ability Shetland of a Family Support Worker who will coordinate and supervise all aspects of Ability Shetland’s Family Support programme. The Viking Community Fund has supported the post with a grant of £15,000.
Other projects include £34,200 to the Brae Community Hall to upgrade the surface of their car park and the Bigton Community Shop also received £3,850 for a similar project. Youth focused projects included £920 for new equipment and roller skates for the Lunnasting Young Ones Club, £1,000 for the 1st Aith Brownies for filmmaking equipment and £766 for sports equipment and craft kits for the Tingwall Youth Club.
