SCOTTISH 4G INFILL COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND

Cellnex UK operates Community Benefit Fund

Cellnex UK is the Infrastructure Provider on the Scottish 4G Infill (S4GI) Programme, working in partnership with the Scottish Government and Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) to deliver 4G LTE infrastructure and services to rural “not spots” across Scotland and bring important mobile connectivity to local communities. Cellnex UK is helping the Scottish Government to deliver its important Digital Strategy and ensure that every part of Scotland and every community within it can have access to good quality connectivity now and in the future.

As part of this programme, Cellnex UK are proud to operate and administer the Community Benefit Fund on behalf of S4GI. Local community groups can now apply for funding towards eligible projects. Applicants may bid to a limit of £2,000 in funding, though the award may be less than the full amount requested, depending on the funding available and the number of applications received.

Who can Apply?

Communities who have assisted the S4GI programme are encouraged to apply for the funding – provided they are a registered charity, not for profit organisation or registered local community group. The fund is especially interested in supporting projects that have a digital connectivity theme, such as:

A capital contribution for equipment or digital connectivity services.
Education or training on how to maximise the use of improved connectivity e.g., e-marketing, learning, e-commerce, remote working, etc.

Applicants are not required to have directly benefited from 4G coverage provided by S4GI to qualify for funding, however they must be local to S4GI infrastructure (within 10km radius).

Previous Community Benefit Fund Projects

In line with the Scottish Government's Digital Strategy, the Community Benefit Fund has supported various digital connectivity projects, including: • Collieston Harbour Heritage Group (Aberdeenshire) – A new donation post on Collieston Pier which can take donations via a QR code as well as cash. • The Pair Trust (South Lochs, Isle of Lewis) – Provided funding towards the locally owned community centre which helps to promote digital inclusion in the community, such as “Digital Drop-In” sessions. • Cabraich Community Arts Group (North Lochs, Isle of Lewis) – Funded two blocks of “Tea and Technology” workshops providing support and training to elderly members of the community on new technology.

Funding was also provided to Grimsay Community Association (North Uist, Isle of Lewis) and Burray Community Association (Orkney) for similar educational workshops on technology.
Hundreds of people in remote communities across Scotland are now equipped with the knowledge and confidence to enter and participate in today’s increasingly digital society, thanks to 4G coverage provided by the S4GI Programme and project funding from the Community Benefit Fund.

SCOTTISH 4G INFILL COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND

Cellnex UK operates Community Benefit Fund

Who can Apply?

Previous Community Benefit Fund Projects

Governance Process

How to Apply