Did you know reusing everyday items can save money, reduce waste and help tackle climate change? Here are some easy tips to try today:
• Glass Jars: Perfect for storage, candle holders, or even flower vases. • Old Clothes: Turn them into cleaning rags, pet bedding, or fun tote bags. • Tin Cans: Make herb planters, pencil holders, or night lights. • Plastic Containers: Great for leftovers, organising toys, or planting seeds.
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.
