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Communities across Scotland are being supported to take climate action, thanks to the realisation of a nationwide network of Climate Action Hubs.
A total of 24 hubs have been set up across Scotland – fulfilling a 2024 Programme for Government commitment.
The Hubs are helping empower people to act in their neighbourhoods and have supported a range of projects including those linked to local energy generation, flood mitigation and food growing.
A total of £5.5 million has been allocated in 2024-25 for Climate Action Hubs alongside a support package for delivery.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Tackling climate change is our collective responsibility and requires collaborative action at all levels.
“Communities are uniquely placed to play a key role in sharing and driving forward Scotland’s transition to low carbon and climate resilient living. It is vital that we continue empowering people to take action in their neighbourhoods in a way which is right for them – which is why I am proud of supporting our hugely successful framework of regional climate hubs.
“The national hub network are a way communities to come together and engage in collective grass roots action. Through the hubs we will continue to support people and communities to take action, helping Scotland decarbonise by 2045 and prepare for the impacts of climate change which lie ahead.”
Mel Sutton, Project Delivery Manager from Twechar Community Action, said: “I am delighted that East Dunbartonshire Climate Action Hub will be a part of a national network of community action hubs across Scotland.
“This will be an opportunity for local community groups to benefit from the support of the Hub to develop projects, access funding and enjoy the benefits of being part of a national network.
“Over the next few months, we will be mapping out the current climate action projects in the area and delivering climate emergency awareness events and taster sessions which will help community groups develop new climate projects.
“We will then use these events to launch a seed fund to support local communities in making changes that reduce energy use, waste and carbon emissions – and have the added benefit of improving people’s health, wellbeing and resilience.”
Funding for the climate hubs is allocated as follows:
Organisation
Budget
Angus Climate Hub
£165,000.00
Argyll & Bute Climate Action Network Hub
£145,000.00
Ayrshire Climate Hub (covering North, East and South Ayrshire)
Support for Climate Action and Innovation in Edinburgh’s Communities
The Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) is excited to announce the recipients of its annual GreenLight Seedgrant Fund, worth £100,000.
The overwhelming response to this year’s grant, with applications totalling £386,522 from 49 organisations, underscores a strong desire across the city to drive meaningful climate action.
This year’s awardees reflect a wide spectrum of grassroots campaigns and innovative, community-driven solutions aimed at tackling the climate crisis. These projects will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for Edinburgh, building upon the creative and impactful work that is already happening in our communities.
The GreenLight Funding Awards were presented at ECCAN’s Autumn Assembly on Wednesday (25th September). This gathering brought together members, individuals, and policymakers from across Edinburgh.
The event was held in alignment with Scottish Government’s Climate Week, a celebration of the positive climate action being taken across the country, whilst inspiring further collective, transformative change.
Seed Grant Funding Across Key Categories
TWENTY-ONE recipients were selected for the GreenLight fund, with projects spanning several critical areas, including:
1. Mitigate climate change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and damaging environmental impacts.
2. Biodiversity Protection: Initiatives that protect, enhance, or increase local biodiversity.
3. Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Projects helping communities adapt to and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
4. Climate Awareness and Action: Raising awareness and inspiring action on climate-related issues.
5. Community Collaboration: Encouraging communities, organisations, and residents to work together in addressing the climate emergency.
A Commitment to a Sustainable Future
Mark Dowey, ECCAN Network Lead, said: “ECCAN is proud to support these exceptional individuals and organisations. The GreenLight Seedgrant Fund not only sustains the progress already being made in Edinburgh’s communities, but it also serves as a catalyst for others to join the collective fight against climate change.
“We were blown away by the ambition and energy of the 49 applications we received. It was incredibly challenging to narrow it down to 21 awardees, however we believe that the projects we’ve selected are set to make a real difference in Edinburgh.
“I am excited to see the impact these initiatives will have in the coming months, and I hope we can continue to build on this momentum as we continue to ambitiously tackle climate change.”
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ARE:
Edible Estates
Earth in Common
The Edinburgh Tool Library
Porty Community Energy
BANZAI – Bruntsfield Area Net Zero Action Initiative
Bikes for Refugees (Scotland) SCIO
The Meaning Map Project
Rhyze Mushrooms Cooperative CIC
Drylaw and Telford Community Association
EALA Impacts CIC
Youth Vision
Broomhouse Community Growers Association
Bridgend Farmhouse
Edinburgh Building Retrofit & Improvement Collective (EdinBRIC)
The Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) is excited to announce the recipients of its annual GreenLight Seedgrant Fund, worth£100,000.
The overwhelming response to this year’s grant, with applications totalling £386,522 from 49 organisations, underscores a strong desire across the city to drive meaningful climate action.
This year’s awardees reflect a wide spectrum of grassroots campaigns and innovative, community-driven solutions aimed at tackling the climate crisis. These projects will contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future for Edinburgh, building upon the creative and impactful work that is already happening in our communities.
The GreenLight Funding Awards will be presented at ECCAN’s Autumn Assembly today (Wednesday 25 September). This gathering will bring together members, individuals, and policymakers from across Edinburgh.
The event is being held in alignment with Scottish Government’s Climate Week, a celebration of the positive climate action being taken across the country, whilst inspiring further collective, transformative change.
Seed Grant Funding Across Key Categories
A total of 21 recipients were selected for the GreenLight fund, with projects spanning several critical areas, including:
1. Mitigate climate change: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and damaging environmental impacts.
2. Biodiversity Protection: Initiatives that protect, enhance, or increase local biodiversity.
3. Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Projects helping communities adapt to and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
4. Climate Awareness and Action: Raising awareness and inspiring action on climate-related issues.
5. Community Collaboration: Encouraging communities, organisations, and residents to work together in addressing the climate emergency.
A Commitment to a Sustainable Future
ECCAN is proud to support these exceptional individuals and organisations. The GreenLight Seedgrant Fund not only sustains the progress already being made in Edinburgh’s communities, but it also serves as a catalyst for others to join the collective fight against climate change.
Mark Dowey, ECCAN Network Lead, said: “We were blown away by the ambition and energy of the 49 applications we received. It was incredibly challenging to narrow it down to 21 awardees, however we believe that the projects we’ve selected are set to make a real difference in Edinburgh.
“I am excited to see the impact these initiatives will have in the coming months, and I hope we can continue to build on this momentum as we continue to ambitiously tackle climate change.”
Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network (ECCAN) are excited to announce a new £100k climate action fund for communities in Edinburgh – called “GreenLight”.
Funded by the Scottish Government, ECCAN’s mission is to encourage transformational change across all of Edinburgh’s communities. The new £100k GreenLight fund will be open to community groups and organisations, to help them deliver projects which increase local action to combat climate change.
ECCAN’s membership is free and open to individuals, community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. You can apply for amounts from £375 up to £20,000 for larger projects. Proposals could include ways to cut vehicle carbon emissions, refurbish or recycle to avoid waste, raise awareness, provide training, or other ideas to act, understand or participate in community climate action.
ECCAN’s Network Lead Mark Dowey said: “In our first round of seed grants earlier this year we funded some terrific projects including those promoting cycling, re-distributing surplus food, refurbishing electrical items and providing information on home energy efficiency.
“We’re keen to hear from anyone in Edinburgh who wants to help our city transition to net zero, as well as those already taking action. Let’s keep the momentum going and deliver real change in our communities.
“As well as empowering people to act and to raise awareness, we are working to link up Edinburgh’s network of groups, to build climate resilience. A portion of the GreenLight fund will be available specifically for projects which enhance collaboration and co-ordination between communities, to help drive capacity in the city to deliver substantive change on the ground.”
Two key principles of the programme are to incorporate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and to support a just transition that is fair to all.
ECCAN’s Members & Events Lead Victoria Briones said: “We want to make GreenLight funding accessible to all, and welcome applications from minority groups, young people and those from disadvantaged areas.
“We would also love to hear from groups that might not have a climate focus but wish to get involved. This might include sports clubs, faith groups and anyone else that sees a pressing need to adapt to climate change in their community.”
Applications will open 19th August for three weeks, with awards announced at the end of September during Climate Week.
For guidance on how to apply please visit www.eccan.scot.
To note an expression of interest or for any other queries, please contact greenlight@eccan.scot.
