Offshore wind community benefit funds should be overseen by independent boards representing a wide range of local interests to ensure fairness and trust. According to the authors of the newly released report, these funds must be managed transparently with regular public reporting and audits to ensure the money reaches the most vulnerable groups in affected coastal areas.
The report states that successful management requires that “decision-makers are primarily vested in a board or committee composed of local community members or stakeholders with a direct interest in the topic.” It further recommends the creation of “transparent community benefit funds with multi-stakeholder governance” that are “independently audited, tied to milestones, and accessible to vulnerable groups.”
Instead of letting power companies or a few local officials decide how to spend the money, the experts suggest creating a community trust. This trust would include people from different backgrounds, such as local residents, fishermen, and women’s groups, who work together to choose projects that help the whole area. By making the rules public and having outside experts check the accounts, the community can be sure the money is being spent properly on things like schools, clinics, or new job training.
Released in March 2026 by the Global Wind Energy Council, the report “Offshore Wind for Coastal Development: Socio-Economic Impact Study” explores the economic potential of wind energy in the Philippines. It was prepared by a joint team of experts from GWEC and the consultancy NIRAS, led by Ann Margret Francisco and Juan Miguel Consolacion.
