The fund will invest towards key areas of focus identified via the Invest Highland website and prospectus, released in December last year. This includes housing, jobs and skills, community infrastructure, as well as environment and biodiversity. 

The focus on housing centres around delivering new homes, retrofit projects and provisions for key workers. Enhancing local facilities also forms part of the area of focus. 

It builds on the ideas laid out in the Highland Social Value Charter, a nine-point framework agreed by the Council and Highland Community Planning Partnership during June 2024, to make use of the benefits of renewable energy and green infrastructure developments.
 
As part of the Charter, Glen Errach Energy has vowed to earmark 20% of its own Community Wealth Fund worth £20 million per annum, to help deliver projects in the Highlands.
 
Councillor Bill Lobban, convener of the Highland Council, said: “The Highland Wealth Fund will help ensure that the benefits of renewable energy development are shared more fairly across our communities.

“It provides a clear way to invest in housing, infrastructure, jobs and community projects that will make a lasting difference across the Highlands.”

Lobban added: “The Council will continue working with the Scottish and UK Governments to seek stronger, more consistent arrangements to ensure communities benefit from investment in energy projects.”
 
The Highland Wealth Fund will be overseen by a new Partnership Board. This will include representatives from communities, public sector organisations and developers, as well as Highland councillors - constituting a third of the Board membership.
 
The Council will serve as the accountable body. Its role will include administering the fund and overseeing how the fund is being spent.