Twenty charities across Scotland, England and Wales, are set to benefit from ScottishPower Foundation funding of more than £1.1 million.

The funding scheme is designed to support projects committed to tackling current issues, from helping to support economic security and raise aspirations for the next generation to protecting the environment and celebrating cultural diversity.

An exciting new project from Archaeology Scotland, Energy Through Time, is helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop transferable skills and build their understanding in STEM subjects. Through the project, young people will harness the power of the past by exploring the historic green spaces around Newbattle Abbey with the task to create innovative solutions for future energy sustainability, enabling them to become climate ambassadors for the future.

Supported by the ScottishPower Foundation, the first courses of the project will be kicking off as part of Meaningful May, a 4-week volunteering programme for young people aged 16-25 facing barriers to employment across Midlothian.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: "The Energy Through Time project is helping young people to take a look into the past to inspire their very own future in STEM, supporting them in developing a host of skills and become the next generation of climate ambassadors.

"At the ScottishPower Foundation we always want to nurture projects that we believe will make a real difference, not only to our planet but to our local communities and the people within them. That is why it's important for us to recognise and boost the incredible work of charities across the UK."

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Jane Miller, Learning Officer at Archaeology Scotland said: "At Archaeology Scotland, we're focussed on growing STEM literacy amongst young people from areas where people are experiencing disadvantage across various aspects of their lives.

"We're extremely grateful to the ScottishPower Foundation for supporting this new project which forms part of our Attainment through Archaeology courses, designed to offer all people the chance to develop and grow, whatever their background."

Supported in 2023, the ScottishPower Foundation is continuing to support Techniquest's Ocean Extravaganza programme for a second year, as the Cardiff based centre continues to teach children and young people on how to protect marine life from pollution. One of the UK's longest-running science and discovery centres, the additional funding is helping Techniquest to build on the success of last year's educational programme and provide free access to a further 4,000 children and young people.

Lesley Kirkpatrick, CEO of Techniquest, said: "We are truly passionate about bridging the educational attainment gap that hinders many of those from less affluent backgrounds in Wales. The continued support from the ScottishPower Foundation is crucial in helping us achieve this aim.

"With this funding we hope to continue to teach, entertain and inspire the youth of South East Wales to be inspired to become environmentally responsible adults, empowered with the knowledge to take positive action and look after our planet's marine life."

Among the other 2024 projects funded by the ScottishPower Foundation is East End Stories, a programme of training and cultural activities by the London-based film and photography centre, Four Corners. The project will celebrate the histories and culture of the capital's communities otherwise lost through a series of films, with local residents developing new skills to enhance their employability and wellbeing while working together.

Carla Mitchell, Development Director at Four Corners, said: "In response to the feedback from our previous projects which have utilised local archives as a source of inspiration for community arts projects, there is a clear need for activity such as this to bring our community together - demonstrated by an ever-increasing interest from the public as participants and audiences.

"The ScottishPower Foundation funding is helping people discover their heritage and tell the stories that will last long after we have gone. This is far beyond a small passion project, but a beacon of a communal spirit and something that we and all of those who are involved, are really proud of."

With more than £13 million given out to charitable initiatives across Britain, including more than 200 grants for projects, the ScottishPower Foundation is continuing to support a range of worthy causes, ranging from helping the next generation into STEM careers and reducing isolation among older people to helping improve the biodiversity of the oceans.

Melanie Hill, noted: "It is always a challenge to narrow down the number of applications, but we sincerely believe we have selected a group of incredible organisations that we are thrilled to be in partnership with over the next year. We simply cannot wait to see all the good these groups will achieve."