NRS celebrates socio-economic investment
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-16)

Almost £20 million funding was invested to help NRS communities grow and thrive in 2024/25.

NRS has supported 149 projects to bring positive social change to benefit people living in communities across the UK – from Caithness to the tip of North Wales, down to the Bristol and English Channels.

Every £1 of the £2,287,696 NRS has invested unlocked another £8.23 in match funding, elevating the community support to over £18.8m. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority also directly supported four transformational projects with a share of over £900,000 - taking the total to almost £20m.

David Calder, head of sustainability and socio-economics for NRS Dounreay, said:

Our UK wide footprint enables us to play a key role in working in partnership with other public sector and increasingly private sector organisations with community benefit obligations in addressing a variety of social and economic challenges and opportunities.

This partnership investment approach enables us to align with regional and national priorities while creating meaningful impact where it matters most - in our communities.

Alan Krailing, head of sustainability for NRS Sites, added:

Our mission goes beyond decommissioning and site restoration – we want to shape the future for generations to come.

The first step to building a sustainable legacy is investing in our communities to create shared value and resilient and thriving economies that meet local needs. Our socio-economic programmes are bringing this legacy to life by creating a ripple effect of social impact across the UK.

NRS funding helped 215 new or growing businesses, awarded 70 start-up grants and created 142 jobs to develop thriving and resilient economies in remote, rural communities. Six graduates were placed or retained in employment, as well as projects supporting over 10,000 training opportunities, 15 apprenticeships, 900 employment opportunities and 160 work experience placements, improving access to sustainable incomes.

With over 9,000 voluntary hours and more than 33,000 individual health and well-being interventions, people of all ages have been empowered to work toward long-term solutions to social challenges. These efforts have not only improved outcomes but also fostered stronger, more resilient communities.

Some examples of the projects supported include:

Caithness Business Fund: A £50,000 contribution to the £150,000 Future Skills apprenticeship grant scheme has tackled skills shortages and driven investment in new opportunities for SMEs and young people in the North Highlands - a region on the cusp of becoming a renewable powerhouse for the UK and beyond.

During its first year in operation the scheme has supported seven apprentices and stimulated business growth.

Prysor Angling Association: £65,000 funding has revitalised a café, community hub and created four jobs on the banks of Trawsfynydd Lake in the heart of Eryri National Park, North Wales. School children are learning about conservation and biodiversity in the lakeside classroom and gaining essential life skills whilst they cast off on the Fishing for Schools programme.

A new bird hide and three accessible fishing platforms have improved the leisure offer to all. Three EV Chargers and a 50 KW solar array are generating income to offset running costs and help support the organisation becoming self-reliant, sustainable and carbon neutral.

Tumbledown Farm: £85,000 funding helped to create a carbon neutral forest school at a 27-acre former farm owned by Weymouth Town Council. The new building provides community led learning, employment and well-being opportunities for local schools, families and people with additional needs in an inclusive, nurturing greenspace.

We are incredibly proud of being a good neighbour to the schools, clubs, community groups nearest NRS sites where funding has helped to meet the local needs of 82 grass roots organisations.

Watch the video below to find out much more.

NRS socio-economic impact 2024-2025 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJVifKzr1q4)