In February 2019, ENGIE announced its partnership with the One City Trust as part of its delivery of the £35 million contract for the regeneration of housing in North Sighthill

The partnership will invest in community projects which look to assist citizens experiencing poverty and inequality and further develop the public realm.

ENGIE was awarded a contract with the City of Edinburgh Council in late 2017 to construct 184 affordable homes and 132 homes for sale on land previously occupied by high-rise housing in North Sighthill. As part of the contract, ENGIE agreed to work with the council and local representatives to add value by investing in community initiatives in the area.

Representatives from ENGIE joined One City Trust President Frank Ross, The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, to visit the projects to hear first-hand where the funding has been put to use. Funded projects include:

• Murrayburn & Hailesland Community Park & Neighbourhood Garden - this community garden will provide growing beds for over 70 households. The £8,500 grant will help establish a Growers Association, that will manage the garden, and build a community garden shed, which will be used for cultural events e.g. fetes.
• Community One Stop Shop - the £9,000 will enable an “Advice Plus” service and employ a specialised advice post where they can help an additional 40 clients.
• The ‘Calders Youth Work’ project - the £9,789 grant will help to deliver a diverse programme of opportunities engaging with young people aged 7 - 19 years old e.g. youth groups, outreach initiatives, activity programmes and one to one support service.
• Broomhouse Home Farm - the £9,000 grant will help create a neighbourhood-based community growing project in Broomhouse, to help alleviate poverty and social isolation as well as raise awareness of healthy eating. The ‘Home Farm’ will work with the local primary schools, church and local organisations on community growing activities.
• African Connections - the £8,500 grant will contribute to ‘EH11 has got talent’ which engages with local residents, particularly young people, through free of charge access to African arts, music and dance. The group hopes to showcase a show by local people as part of the 2020 Fringe Festival.

Frank Ross, the Rt. Hon. Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and president of the OneCity Trust, said: “It was wonderful to visit these projects and see the fantastic work that they are doing in assisting their communities with the help of this investment. This funding is helping to mitigate the profound impacts of poverty and inequality upon our most vulnerable citizens.

“Edinburgh is a wealthy city, but it is also divided, with 1 in 5 households living in income poverty. The mission of the OneCity Trust is to assist community projects which work to lessen the impacts of poverty and aid social inclusion.

“Projects like Murrayburn & Hailesland Community Park & Neighbourhood Garden and the Community One Stop Shop, which provides highly valuable out of hours benefits advice and access to a foodbank for local people, are examples of incredible projects which are assisting our communities.

“I’d once again like to extend my sincere thanks to ENGIE for their generous contribution. This fund forms part of their community benefits scheme for the North Sighthill development, which will consist of 184 affordable and energy efficient houses and flats, including 96 social rent and 88 mid-market rent homes.”

Brian Pettigrew, regional managing director for ENGIE’s places & communities division, added: “OneCity Trust were the perfect partner to support us in the delivery of our £50,000 community investment fund and to share our joint vision with the City of Edinburgh Council of investing in people to help transform communities.

“We are delighted to be able to support these five important community projects, positively impacting over 70 families, 40 individuals, 100 vulnerable young people, 80 primary school pupils and 400 local residents. We hope all of the chosen community projects continue to thrive and promote social inclusion throughout the south west of the city.”