Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: What’s Valuable in terms of Network Support?

Lauri McCusker, Director, The Fermanagh Trust

Thursday 27th November 2014

About Us

• Fermanagh’s Community Foundation – working with

communities since 1995

• Barrow Cadbury Trust

• Dedicated to creating a partnership of donors, non-profit

making organisations and the community to find solutions to pressing community needs

About Us

• Support community and voluntary endeavours - community

and voluntary sector, good relations, social enterprises

• Range of funds and initiatives – Shared Education, renewable energy and local communities, social enterprise development

• Member of Community Energy Scotland and Community Energy Coalition

Working With Wind Farm Developers

• Callagheen Wind Farm Fund

• Advising wind farm developers

• Challenging levels and means of community engagement (including community benefit)

Maximising Community Outcomes From Wind Energy Developments

Why are we behind Scotland?

• Citizens – not engaged

• Collective Organisation Energy

• Policy Makers – informed / engaged?

• Soft Supports – lacking (planning, expert advice, guidance)

• Challenges to Developing Projects – planning time log, grid,

finance

Exploring the Potential of Community Energy

• Scoping exercise

• Meetings / events – community organisations

• Meetings – industry, government representatives etc

Community Energy, 18th February 2014, Stormont

Advocating for Community Energy: What needs to happen?

• Strengthen community engagement –

including the role of planning system • Coherent vision – community energy plan

• Put communities at the heart of policy

• Joined-up government – community energy recognition

Advocating for Community Energy: What needs to happen?

• Community ownership

• Financial framework and access to finance and support • Community benefit funds • Community capability and capacity

Support

• Community Energy Scotland

• Community Energy Coalition

What next for Northern Ireland?

• NI Executive to develop action plan on communities and energy

• Social enterprise model

• Outward Looking - Communities

• Partnership – Communities networking, learning and researching

What next for Northern Ireland?

• Government support – Joint Ministerial Council & British Irish Council

• ‘This ground-breaking study highlights the opportunities and the challenges in realising our shared renewables potential. It underlines the commitment of our three governments to work together to harness the huge potential of renewable energy.’

John Swinney MSP, currently Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth