University of Edinburgh Community Grant Scheme to open for applications

Save the date – our Community Grant scheme will open for applications on Monday 25 March 2024!

Our scheme helps the development of projects, community activities and sustainable local action through funding and collaboration. We support local people’s vision for a better Edinburgh.

We award project grants of up to a maximum of £5,000, but welcome applications for less

The application process is simple and a member of the Community team will be on hand to support you if you have any questions, just contact local@ed.ac.uk or call us on 0131 651 5000. 

  • Applicants may only receive one grant per project
  • Please read our guidance notes before applying, to check eligibility criteria and other helpful information
  • We do not fund projects that have already been completed
    • Please note: You should aim to start your project around four months after the deadline. 
  • Sign up to our e-newsletter to be the first to hear about the Community Grants Scheme
  • Our micro-grant scheme is open all year round for applications for funding of up to £500: apply for a micro-grant here

If you require application materials in an alternative format, please email local@ed.ac.uk or call 0131 651 5000, or ask a friend or family member to do so for you.

We can send you a printed copy of the form by post on request.

If you need any help completing the form, we are happy to try and help.

We can talk with you online, over the phone or in person (at a mutually suitable venue).

Edinburgh Local Community Grants

There are only SIX DAYS LEFT to apply for a University of Edinburgh Community Grant of up to £5,000.

Community Grants support charities and other groups to make a difference to people across the region, and increase engagement between the University and local communities.

Apply here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome for projects which could benefit people living in the City of Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, and should show how they could grow relationships between local communities and the University.

If you’re thinking of applying and don’t currently have a relationship with the University, the University’s Community Team is happy to try and put you in touch with members of the University who might be interested in your work. We have some specific drop-in sessions, or just email us to arrange a discussion.

The deadline to submit your application is 5pm onFriday 8 April 2022.

How much funding can I get?

Applications for up to £5,000 are welcome. However, if you require £500 or less, you may also be interested in the University’s Micro-grant scheme.

Since the University launched its Community Grants scheme in 2017, it has awarded almost £500,000 to more than 100 fantastic local organisations.

Apply here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

Recycl-age Art Exhibition at granton:hub

granton:hub are excited to announce more details about the granton:hub Recycl-age Art Exhibition happening July 9-11th. This event is FREE entry.

Our Recycl-Age Art Exhibition has been included in the Edinburgh Science Festival. The exhibition has also been selected to be part of the Coastal Knowledge and RSE Young Academy of Scotland project, as the satellite arts venue for a 3-day show and artist-run workshop, funded by Edinburgh Local.

The exhibition is featured in the Edinburgh Science Festival Programme under Coastal Knowledge.

The Recycl-age Art Exhibition will be held at granton:hub, Madelvic House, EH5 1HS, on 9th -11th July 2021 from 11am to 6pm each day.

There are 20+ artists exhibiting from painters, printmakers, collage artists, ceramicists, photographers, textile artists, jewellers, composers, poets and makers.

All the artworks that will be exhibited will either incorporate or be entirely made from recycled elements, or reflect on what recycling means, either figuratively or conceptually.

Find out more about the exhibition and view the artists exhibiting on the website:

https://grantonhub.org/recycl-age-art-exhibition-9-11-july-2021/

University of Edinburgh offers green micro-grants

In the run up to COP26, The University of Edinburgh is running ‘The Green Micro-grants’, a grants scheme for community projects with the natural environment and social impact at their heart.

Green handprints

In November 2021, Glasgow will be hosting the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). This conference brings together countries from all over the world in order to address the climate crisis.

Following Patrick Geddes (a Scottish biologist, philanthropist, pioneering town planner and lecturer at the University of Edinburgh), we want to encourage people to ‘think global, act local’ by funding grassroots projects that, in their own way, take action against the climate crisis.

And each of us has a part to play. That’s why,  in the run up to COP26, the University’s micro-grant scheme is going green!

  • We welcome applications for projects or activities that will involve and benefit people living and/or working in the Edinburgh City Region (The Region includes the City of Edinburgh, Fife, West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders).
  • Applications are welcome from not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises. 
  • The funding is available until Friday 19th August, but you can apply at an point up to that date, and all applications will be reviewed by a panel.  

If you would like to apply for a larger grant, please apply to our Community Grants Scheme, open twice a year for awards of up to £5,000.

The green microgrants

Through its micro-grant scheme, the University will support community organisations and charities based in the Edinburgh region to do their bit to tackle climate change and the biodiversity crisis, and improve the sustainability of our local spaces and communities.  

There is already lots of fantastic work happening across the city and wider region in relation to the climate crisis, and we hope that extra funding will enable some more great activities and projects to take place. 

Groups can apply for up to £1000 through our micro-grant scheme for small scale community activities. The purpose of the scheme is to provide micro-grants to community groups, charities or businesses for projects which aim to: 

  1. Improve their local natural environment and 
  2. Have a positive social impact for local communities 

What is meant by ‘supporting the local natural environment’? 

This is where projects will improve environmental sustainability, increase local biodiversity and/or contribute to tackling the climate crisis at a local level.  This might include seeking to reduce carbon emissions, reducing waste, teaching your community green behaviours, or other ways of improving your local natural environment. 

What is meant by ‘positive social impact’? 

This is the beneficial effect for local people and communities that you expect your project to create or contribute to. It could include improved wellbeing, access to better nutrition, improved educational opportunities, improved quality of life, greater sense of community, reduction in anxiety or improved financial circumstances.  You should set out as clearly as possible how your project will involve and/or benefit local communities living in the Edinburgh City region (the City of Edinburgh and/or East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian, Scottish Borders, Fife). 

How to apply

The application process is simple and a member of the Edinburgh Local team will be on hand to support you if you have any questions, just contact local@ed.ac.uk.

You can apply for a  green  micro-grant at any time by filling in the application form below and sending it back to local@ed.ac.ukGreen micro-grant application form (83.83 KB Word)

Please read the Guidance notes below before completing your application form.

 Green Micro-grants Guidance Notes 2020-21 (79.06 KB Word)

You do not need to complete this form just yet, but please ensure you have read our Terms and Conditions before submitting your application:

 Community Grant Terms and Conditions (71.3 KB Word)

Accessibility

If you require the application form in another format, please email local@ed.ac.uk

Change local lives with a grant of up to £5,000!

The University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants scheme is now open!

The scheme helps the development of projects, community activities and sustainable local action through funding and collaboration.

Applications are welcome for projects which could benefit people living in the City of Edinburgh and/or the neighbouring local authority areas, and should show how they could grow relationships between local communities and the University.

If you’re thinking of applying and don’t currently have a relationship with the University, the University’s Community Team is happy to try and put you in touch with members of the University who might be interested in your work.

The deadline for application is 5pm on Friday 9th April.

Find out more and apply at https://www.ed.ac.uk/local/community-grants

University support backs locals’ vision for a better Edinburgh

Communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians are to benefit from a £70,000 project to support groups tackling vital social issues. The University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants Scheme will help to provide support for children with disabilities, tackle the causes of poverty and aid vulnerable women. Continue reading University support backs locals’ vision for a better Edinburgh