Sizewell C Community Fund reaches about £4.1m after two years of grants in East Suffolk

The Sizewell C Community Fund has awarded about £4.1m to 61 organisations across East Suffolk in its first two years, the nuclear project's developer said as it marked the fund's second anniversary.

Suffolk Community Foundation manages the fund, which provides about £2m a year for projects that support the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of communities closest to sites linked to the power station. Grants since the first round in autumn 2024 have ranged from £2,000 to more than £330,000, Sizewell C said.

Marjorie Barnes, Head of Community Relations at Sizewell C, said: "Reaching £4.1m in funding and supporting 61 organisations is a fantastic milestone, but what matters most is the difference these projects are making to people's lives."

The anniversary was marked at a community day at High Lodge in Darsham. Sarah Mortimer, Sizewell C Community Fund Project Manager at Suffolk Community Foundation, said the event brought together representatives from 37 funded organisations alongside partners including Community Action Suffolk, East Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council.

The projects

Among the recipients, 1379 Leiston Squadron RAF Air Cadets received £21,088 for six kayaks, water safety equipment and a trailer. Flight Lieutenant William Mayhew, the squadron's Officer Commanding, said the equipment had allowed it to introduce a full paddlesports programme.

The Rural Coffee Caravan was awarded almost £45,000 last year to keep visiting six villages, including Aldringham, Darsham and Kelsale.

Earlier rounds included £201,881 over two years for Home-Start in Suffolk, awarded in January 2025, and £86,264 for a two-year programme at The Art Station, awarded in May 2025.

Recipient	Grant
1379 Leiston Squadron RAF Air Cadets	£21,088
The Art Station	£86,264
Home-Start in Suffolk	£201,881

How the fund has grown

The fund opened for applications on 9 July 2024, with about £2m available each year for 10 years and a total value of £23m, according to Sizewell C. Suffolk Community Foundation says it will provide up to £23m over the next decade.

At the launch, Julia Pyke, Sizewell C Joint Managing Director, said: "It’s a key part of the legacy we want to leave for East Suffolk."

The first round, announced on 4 November 2024, gave nine charities and not-for-profit groups more than £300,000. A second round announced on 27 January 2025 funded 11 groups and took the total awarded to £1.4m across 20 projects. Suffolk Community Foundation announced a third round of £550,000 to nine organisations on 6 May 2025, bringing the total to almost £2m. The latest figure of about £4.1m covers 61 organisations.

The rules

The fund is open to projects in the East Suffolk Council area, with priority given to those benefiting communities within 5km of a Sizewell C development site, according to Suffolk Community Foundation. A small grants programme awards up to £10,000 a year for a maximum of three years.

An awards panel with representatives from Suffolk Community Foundation, Suffolk County Council, East Suffolk Council and Sizewell C meets four times a year to decide grants. It is chaired by Helen Taylor, a trustee of the foundation. Applications are accepted all year round.

The wider project

The Energy Secretary signed the final investment decision for Sizewell C on 22 July 2025, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The government said the project would support 10,000 directly employed jobs at peak construction and create 1,500 apprenticeships.

The government put the construction cost at around £38bn, spread between consumers, taxpayers and private investors, and took an initial 44.9% stake, making it the single biggest equity shareholder. Sizewell C's joint managing directors said £4.4bn of construction spend is committed to the east of England.

The community fund is due to run for 10 years from its July 2024 launch, with about £2m available each year.