Tag: Edinburgh Communities Climate Action Network

ECCAN to announce GreenLight awardees at Autumn Assembly

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.”

Community climate projects get the green light

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.