East Coast Community Fund announce winners of Skills Fund for coastal areas of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

Decisions have now been reached on the eighth annual round of the East Coast “Skills Fund”. This forms part of the £465,000 East Coast Community Fund 20-year annual commitment and is part of the community engagement programme for Hornsea One and Race Bank offshore wind farms.

Over £80,000 is shared between four organisations delivering projects relating to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education and training.

The 2024 East Coast Skills Fund grant recipients are:

• Cambridge Science Centre – Science Hack Days
• National Careers Week CIC – Green Careers: Nurturing Sustainable Futures and inspiring STEM
• Stemettes – Stemettes in Offshore Wind
• Franklin College – Regional STEM Conference and Exhibition for Lincolnshire 2025

Using their grant award, Cambridge Science Centre will deploy an immersive STEM Innovation Centre experience at selected schools on the East Coast.

Rebecca Porter, Head of Development at Cambridge Science Centre, said: “We are thrilled and honoured to receive the East Coast Skills Fund award. This generous support will enable us to deliver STEM Hack Days, inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. We look forward to bringing exciting and engaging STEM experiences to students, fostering a passion for learning and discovery. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us make a positive impact in the community.”

Stemettes will deliver four offshore wind & STEAM events, engaging young women and non-binary people aged 12-16 years old.

On receiving the news of their successful application, Anne-Marie Imafidon, Charity Director at Stemettes, said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to deliver impactful events along the East Coast. This will connect and engage young women and non-binary people with powerful knowledge of the opportunities within the offshore wind sector. We can’t wait to see how the sector is transformed by increased diversity from such a significant contribution.”

Imran Nawaz, Senior Advisor & Community Benefit Fund Manager at Ørsted, said: “Congratulations to the four worthy applicants. This year has been another successful round for our skills fund. I look forward to seeing the results from the organisations.”

For further information about the Fund and when and how to apply, please click the East Coast Community Fund logo, below:

Photos: Courtesy of Cambridge Science Centre