Tag: community gardening

Applications now open for the Grow Your Own grant scheme

Community groups in Edinburgh are being invited to apply for funding from a £50,000 pilot scheme by the City of Edinburgh Council to establish new food growing projects.

The “Grow Your Own” community grant initiative will welcome applications from projects aimed at establishing new community growing projects. Applications for funding are invited to help the creation of new growing spaces, supporting the establishment of growing groups, and promoting education around urban food production.

Grants of up to £5,000 will be awarded to constituted voluntary and community groups across the city, with projects running for up to 12 months.

The £50,000 funding has been allocated from the Flood Prevention/Biodiversity (including food growing) budget, which was approved in the Council’s budget on 22 February 2025. This fund aims to provide smaller community groups with essential support to establish community growing initiatives.

Funding can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Purchasing seeds, plants, and tools
  • Equipment for community garden cooking areas
  • Education and training activities
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Staff time directly related to establishing the growing area

Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Edinburgh communities to get involved in urban food growing.

“The city already hosts over 45 allotment sites with over 1,700 council-managed plots, along with more than 70 community growing projects. Through Edinburgh’s Food Growing Strategy (2021- 2026) and Allotment Strategy (2017 – 2027) we aim to expand local food growing initiatives.

This year’s scheme will operate as a pilot program, and its impact will be assessed. If successful, and funding permitting, we could see this becoming an annual initiative.

To apply, groups must meet the Council’s Standard Conditions of Grants. Full details can be found on the City of Edinburgh website.

The application process will be administered through the City of Edinburgh Council’s Your Voice platform, designed to ensure a simple and efficient application experience.

The deadline for applications is noon on 12 May.

Community gardening at PYCP

To all our PY Parents, Guardians, Family, friends and Neighbours.

Do you want to join us in the Community garden (behind PYCP) on Wednesdays 10 – 12 midday and get gardening!

Enjoy fresh produce, herbs and flowers. Meet new friends and neighbours and enjoy the outdoors.

Find out more by emailing gardening@pycp.co.uk

#greenthumb

#communitygardening

Make friends through plants at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

A study commissioned by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has highlighted that more than half of adults consider themselves to be ‘lonely’ because they are too busy or shy to socialise with others. Continue reading Make friends through plants at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Edinburgh enjoys first taste of community gardening

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Around three hundred people – and at least one giant panda – visited Edinburgh’s first ever Power of Food Festival last weekend. Organisers are delighted with the public response and now hope to stage the event again next year.

The inaugural Power of Food Festival offered a packed weekend of events and family activities celebrating community food growing. All across the city, community food gardens opened their gates to the public, inviting visitors to try everything from insect hunting to tattie lifting and poetry writing, and offering them the chance to listen to music from local bands and choirs. And of
course there was also the opportunity to taste local produce and sample plenty of yummy food!

The Festival, which is entirely volunteer ­run, showcased 15 diverse garden spaces ranging from transformed wasteland to a farmhouse, connecting different initiatives and bringing people together. With lots of laughter and a great sense of community spirit, the weekend was even topped off with a splash of sunshine!

One community gardener and Festival visitor said: “We all seem to be linked by a joy in being outdoors together and working with the environment. Food at the end of it is just one of the rewards.”

The first Power of Food Festival saw an estimated 300 visitors over the two­ day event. It was inspiring with lots of energy, passion and enthusiasm on show in the gardens and lots of interest. Visitors took the opportunity to learn about herbalism and growing tomatoes, to hear food­-inspired storytellers and to pick up some new recipes to try out.

A cycle ride led by Sustrans volunteers also gave visitors the opportunity to explore a range of gardens while enjoying the capital city’s extensive off-­road cycle network. The event also marked the launch of the Edible Edinburgh Charter promoting good food for all.

So all in all, a great weekend – second helpings next year, please!

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Pictures from the Festival are now available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghPowerofFoodFestival/photos_stream

For further information about how to get involved visit the website: poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/

Twitter: @PoFFest

Facebook: Edinburgh Power of Food Festival