Making Financial Power Work for Local Places
What this means in Orkney
We aim to increase flows of investment within Orkney by aligning anchors, funds and finance so they support community priorities and keep money circulating locally, while meeting required returns and governance standards.
Our starting point
- Multiple local funds (e.g., Highlands and Islands Enterprise, some OIC business grants, Crown Estate Community Led Development Fund, Community Led Local Development via the Local Action Group) already back CWB‑aligned projects and Fair Work First.
- Major opportunities include the Islands Growth Deal and the Orkney Fund Board, which are steered to maximise local social and economic benefit.
- OIC’s Community Wind Farm will retain profits locally for services and just transition goals.
Priorities for 2025–2030
- Explore local investment vehicles (e.g., community bonds/green bonds or a local bank model) to channel residents’ and anchors’ capital into local CWB projects.
- Support Orkney Community Housing Bonds (OHAL) to unlock more affordable homes.
- Align community benefit funds to CWB priorities and reducing fuel poverty.
- Examine how reserves and pension funds, within the rules, might support suitable local investments while ensuring commercial returns.
Examples
- Development trusts as investment magnets: Island trusts have leveraged significant inward investment to deliver housing, services and grants—recycling benefits locally.
- Community Wind Farm: A council‑owned renewables project designed to generate long‑term surpluses for local services.
How you can get involved
- Communities and community groups: Develop investment proposals that will give a good return on those investments will bringing about positive social change.
- Residents & employers: Register interest in community/green bond opportunities as they come forward.