Tag: funding support

Creative projects awarded £265,000 in immersive technology funding

17 projects spanning Stornoway, Forres, Fort William, Dundee, Lochgilphead, Greenock, Glasgow and Edinburgh have received £265,000 in the second round of Immersive Arts funding to support artists from all backgrounds to utilise immersive technologies.

With three distinct grant amounts available – £5,000, £20,000 and £50,000 – the funding supports artists at different stages of their creative development: to explore, experiment or expand how they make work that uses technology to actively involve an audience.

The Game by Biome Collective (Malath Abbas and Andy Truscott) received a £50,000 Expand grant to create an immersive sound-walk artwork through Dundee. Using a mobile app and headphones, audiences will walk through the city to explore football as a lived culture; their route, pace and pauses triggering different audio elements and composition.

Inspired by Andy Truscott’s father, a lifelong Dundee United supporter living with dementia, it preserves everyday journeys as a public artwork. The current prototype will be expanded through co-design with Alzheimer Scotland and local partners including Dundee United Community Trust, UNESCO City of Design Dundee and V&A Dundee, with the aim of a public release and city-wide launch event rooted in Dundee’s football heritage.

Malath Abbas said: “We’re proud to have secured Expand funding from Immersive Arts for The Game. For Biome Collective, this support recognises our ongoing work to push the boundaries of immersive arts and create experiences that extend beyond traditional screens into shared public space.

“It enables us to develop ambitious ideas with our partners and deliver innovative, accessible work for real audiences.”

Andy Truscott added: “Being a part of the Immersive Arts programme is a huge step forward for our project. Fundamentally, The Game is about the rituals that define us. By weaving together personal memories of Dundee’s football culture with the physical act of walking through the city, we’re creating a living archive.

“This support allows us to honour stories, like those of my father, and transform everyday matchday routines into a shared, immersive experience for the whole community.”

Benefitting from a £20,000 Experiment grant, Wild Wings of Hope in Edinburgh are developing an Augmented Reality (AR) experience for hospice patients and families bringing art, nature and technology together to create moments of beauty and connection in times of loss.

A £5,000 Explore grant for Lana Enix in Greenock will support development of responsive environments using large-scale projections of 3D simulations that metamorphosise in real-time in response to audience presence and behaviour.

Funding for Immersive Arts is provided through a collaboration between the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Arts Council England (ACE), the Arts Council of Wales (ACW), Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI). Funding from Creative Scotland, ACW and ACNI is provided by The National Lottery.

Morgan Petrie, Creative Industries Manager at Creative Scotland, said: “Our congratulations to this round of funded artists whose innovation and creativity are truly inspiring.

“The power of Immersive Art’s focus on technical and artistic innovation, balanced by a deep commitment to inclusion at all stages, means that we are developing a strong grassroots network of tomorrow’s global leaders in the emerging fields of creative technology.

“Today’s recipients will be key participants in the interdisciplinary networks of production and distribution needed for this ecology to thrive.

“Our support for this programme reflects our commitment to driving innovation across the creative economy. By investing together with partners from all four UK nations, we are helping to build a stronger network of people and organisations working in creative innovation.

“The new ideas and approaches supported through these awards will open up fresh ways for audiences to connect with culture, helping to shape how the arts continue to enrich people’s lives throughout the 21st century.”

Verity McIntosh, Director of Immersive Arts and Professor of Immersive Arts and Culture at University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), said: “We are delighted to be able to support so many extraordinary UK artists and projects through this latest funding announcement.

“Our thanks to the incredible partners and funders who continue to make it possible for artists to develop their practice and make bold new works with powerful cultural impact, connecting UK creativity with audiences around the world.”

The Scotland-based projects will be supported by cultural organisation Cryptic, and can be found below:

Organisation/Individual Activity Amount Location 
Dæmon Clelland Charged Encounter £50,000 Glasgow 
Biome Collective The Game £50,000 Dundee 
Adrian Hon Strandfall £20,000 Edinburgh 
Wild Wings of Hope Wild Wings of Hope in VR £20,000 Edinburgh 
Company Hame The Shape of Grief -VR £20,000 Forres 
NOCTURN Good Enough: Multisensory Queer Storytelling in Scotland £20,000 Glasgow 
Robbie Thomson Synapse £20,000 Stornoway 
Yulia Kovanova & Louis McHugh Hall of Hushes £20,000 Edinburgh 
Andrew Lawson Maclean Learning Skills. Exploring Potential. £5,000 Fort William 
Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland By Leaves We Live. When Morris Met Geddes. £5,000 Edinburgh 
OPECC ‘Reactive Determinism’ £5,000 Glasgow 
Lana Enix Responsive Simulations £5,000 Greenock 
Bootleg Parlour Magic Exploring spatial audio for games £5,000 Glasgow 
Nils Aksnes Sonic Obscura £5,000 Lochgilphead 
Sophie Bancroft  Exploring Immersive Storytelling Pathways £5,000 Edinburgh 
Stuart Brown Audiovisual Percussion in Immersive Performance £5,000 Glasgow  
Vida Boudin Otherworldly Fashion £5,000 Glasgow 

Inspiring Scotland: Seven campaigns receive funding to drive social change 

Seven organisations have been selected to receive funding for campaigning projects aimed at improving the lives of people in Scotland.  

Covering a wide range of issues from access to health checks for disabled people to helping older people connect with their communities, these projects will lay the essential groundwork and build momentum for larger campaigns.  

Celia Tennant, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland, said: “Achieving long term, systemic change requires sustained effort and commitment. And while there is no shortage of people with the required passion and good ideas, funding for the crucial early stages of social justice campaigns is often limited. 

“Our goal was to support those with a clear vision, deep knowledge of the issues, and confidence in building larger campaigns, but requiring resources to explore ideas, gather evidence, and test approaches for maximum impact.” 

For this funding call, we partnered with Changing Ideas, an organisation with a strong track record of supporting campaigners to tackle social injustices in the UK and worldwide, and we’re excited to bring their experience and investment to Scotland. 

David Graham, founder of Changing Ideas, said: “We are delighted to fund charities and groups working for change across the environment, childcare, women’s and girls’ rights, and more.

“We see this as the first step in building momentum for wider systemic change, and we are excited by what our partners will go on to achieve.” 

Although this call focused on supporting a small number of projects, we were overwhelmed by nearly 100 applications, clearly demonstrating the strong appetite for campaigning in Scotland. 

We wish all those who weren’t selected best of luck in their efforts. 

After careful consideration and interviews with shortlisted applicants, the following seven projects were selected for funding: 

  1. Children First: £10,000 to progress their campaign against online harm to children and young people.  
  2. Coastal Communities Network: £10,000 to campaign for better access to information on water quality, increased centralised water testing, and improved access to community water testing equipment.  
  3. Enable Scotland: £9,928 to support people with learning disabilities in leading local and national campaigns to improve access to regular health checks.  
  4. Vintage Vibes: £10,000 to campaign against isolation, declining confidence and stigma surrounding ageing, and help older people feel valued and sure of their place in their community.  
  5. YWCA Young Women in Scotland: £9,983 to run a Scotland-specific campaign addressing digital violence against women and girls (VAWG), led by young women themselves.  
  6. The Motherhood Plan – Pregnant then Screwed: £10,000 to undertake the groundwork for a large Scotland-wide campaign that secures bold, credible childcare commitments from MSPs and holds the next Scottish Government to account.   
  7. Parenting Across Scotland: £8,600 to co-ordinate a campaign group with other children and families organisations to campaign for a Scottish hobby model to address the current inequity in hobby provision in Scotland.

Amy Woodhouse from Parenting Across Scotland explains how the funding is going to help the organisation realise their ambition for all children and young people in Scotland to have access to a hobby of their choice: “Hobbies are brilliant for so many reasons – they help children develop new skills, make friends and boost confidence.

“They can provide solace when times are tough and offer positive spaces for children to grow and develop. They should be a part of every childhood, but sadly they’re not. Cost, accessibility, lack of choice, transport difficulties and long waiting lists all prevent children from taking part. 

“The solutions are possible, but we need a co-ordinated national approach to really make progress. Support from the Ideas for Change fund will help us to build momentum behind our hobbies campaign and ensure that all children and young people, regardless of their circumstances, can benefit.

“We are very grateful to Inspiring Scotland and Changing Ideas for this award.”

A spokesperson for Vintage Vibes said: “We are delighted to be selected by Inspiring Scotland as one of seven fantastic organisations to run a campaign to improve the lives of Scottish people in 2026.

“Our campaign will launch later this year, building on our highly acclaimed Ten Years Bold campaign, and will aim to spread empowerment in older people across Scotland, tackling ageism and challenging stigmas. We can’t wait to start!”

Inspiring Scotland are proud to partner with Changing Ideas and the seven funded organisations, and look forward to supporting their efforts and sharing updates as their campaigns progress.

Miller Homes supports Edinburgh United Football Club 2013 with funding boost

Miller Homes Scotland East is supporting Edinburgh United Football Club 2013 with its Community Fund initiative by donating £1,000. 

Since launching in 2022, the Community Fund has made a meaningful difference to local communities across Scotland, awarding £344,000 in grants to 538 organisations. The initiative has helped a wide range of projects, from supporting foodbanks, sports teams, music groups and creative spaces. 

So far in 2025 Community Fund has supported seventeen groups across Scotland with a share of £20,000, including Edinburgh United Foodball Club. Miller Homes’ donation to the group will go towards purchasing essential equipment and aiding team building activities.

Duncan Wright, head coach at Edinburgh United Football Club said: “Thanks to a generous £1,000 donation from Miller Homes, we can continue to provide our players with the equipment and support they need to develop both on and off the pitch.

“This funding will make a real difference to our team-building activities and overall experience for the players. We’re incredibly grateful for Miller Homes’ support and their commitment to football groups in the community.”

Neil Gaffney, Regional Sales Director for Miller Homes Scotland East, said: “We are delighted to be able to continually support causes within the communities that we have developments. It has become one of the most important things that we do at Miller Homes. 

“We’re thrilled to support Edinburgh United Football Club 2013. Grassroots clubs like this bring young people together, build teamwork, and create lasting memories. We’re pleased this funding will help provide essential equipment and support team-building activities, helping the players enjoy the game and thrive in their community.”

For more information on Miller Homes’ Community Fund and to find out when the next round of funding opens, visit www.millerhomes.co.uk/communityfund.

More support for disabled people as Improving Access Fund launched

A new fund launched yesterday offers £1.5 million in grants for projects designed to break down barriers and strengthen services that disabled people depend on.

The Improving Access Fund is a key part of the Scottish Government’s £3 million Disability Equality Plan. Jointly designed with Disabled People’s Organisations, the Fund will provide grants for projects that improve access to essential services and promote independent living, choice, and participation.

It will focus on three priorities:

  • Accessible financial advice and support
  • Inclusive participation in communities and everyday life
  • Better mental health and wellbeing.

Minister for Equalities Kaukab Stewart said: “Scotland should be a country where disabled people can live the lives they choose – supported, empowered, and included every step of the way.

“Today’s launch of our Improving Access Fund is a really important step towards that – it has been designed with disabled people, for disabled people.

“Through our Disability Equality Plan, we are making a clear commitment: disabled people are a priority for the Scottish Government. By investing £3 million in this work, we are strengthening access to the services and support that enable independence, choice, and participation.

“In contrast, disabled people in Scotland remain deeply concerned about the potential effects of planned UK Government welfare reforms. We call on the UK Government to abandon these damaging proposals and to follow the Scottish Government’s lead in investing in and enhancing the social security safety net, rather than tearing it apart.”

Heather Fisken, CEO of Inclusion Scotland said: “Disabled People’s organisations are led by disabled people ourselves and know best what needs to change.

“For too long our organisations have had to shift shape to ‘fit’ with funders’ missions and requirements, missing out on critical funding to keep our organisations running and to make the changes desperately needed so that disabled people are empowered in their own lives.

“The Improving Access Fund is different because it targets Disabled People’s Organisations and DPOs helped to design it.”  

Tressa Burke, CEO of Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “Our survey of 756 disabled members found 91% are deeply concerned about equality and human rights, feeling under attack and de-prioritised.

“This has led to poverty, exclusion, poorer mental health, and reduced participation in daily life. Glasgow Disability Alliance and our members welcome the Improving Access Fund, which will advance equality, independent living, choice, and participation.”

Lyn Pornaro, CEO of Disability Equality Scotland said: “Disabled people demand justice and access to services, buildings, events and public bodies – in the same way as non-disabled people. 

“This fund is a starting point to improving access to the key areas of focus in the Disability Equality Plan and, most importantly, in the lives of disabled people daily.”

Disability Equality Plan

The Fund is being administered by Inspiring Scotland and more details are available here

Resilence Fund support for city’s small third sector organisations

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: FRIDAY 4 JULY 1pm

Phase 2 of the City of Edinburgh Council Resilience Fund aims to provide short-term support to small and medium third sector organisations in Edinburgh that work to end poverty.

Grants: Up to £10,000

Deadline: Fri 4 Jul, 1pm

Phase 2 aims to provide short-term support to small and medium third sector organisations in Edinburgh that work to end poverty. The fund helps organisations facing financial difficulties maintain their services and financial stability during 2025/26.

Eligibility criteria 

To be eligible for this funding organisations must

  • deliver activities which address or prevent poverty and which align with the city’s End Poverty in Edinburgh framework (further details about this can be found in the fund specification)
  • be headquartered in Edinburgh
  • have registered charitable status or be a non-profit distributing organisation
  • have a gross annual income of less than £500k
  • be experiencing financial challenges, for example
    • an unexpected drop in grant funding or other income
    • an unexpected increase in running or delivery costs, or
    • an unexpected increase in service demand
  • not be in receipt of funding from the Council through Phase 1 of the Third Sector Resilience Fund or the Income Maximisation Grant Programme.

Organisations can apply for up to £10,000 from this phase of funding. Funding can be used to support core costs or to maintain service delivery where this is at risk from the loss of expected grant funding, increased costs or unexpected increases in demand.

You will find detailed information in the Third Sector Resilience Fund Specification and a summary in our Frequently Asked Questions.

How to apply

To apply, please complete our online form.

Before submitting your application, you will need to confirm that you have read

Please attach a copy of your most recent years Annual Accounts via email to policyandinsight@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Applications close at 1pm on the 4th of July 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact policyandinsight@edinburgh.gov.uk

Edinburgh’s community groups encouraged to apply to Co-op’s Local Community Fund for share of £5m

Applications are now open for Co-op’s Local Community Fund and local charities and community groups can apply for a share of the £5 Million fund. 

Co-op is looking to support local community causes across the UK that enable people to access food; improve mental wellbeing; create opportunities for young people; promote community cohesion; or build sustainable futures.    

Co-operation and people working together, can be a very powerful tool in making a positive difference in local communities. That’s why Co-op is seeking new local causes that provide opportunities and resources that help people to thrive. 

Thanks to Co-op Members,  the Local Community Fund has helped 39,000 causes across the UK since 2016.

David Luckin, Head of Community Partnerships, Funding and Impact, Co-op, said: “It’s always exciting to start the search for local causes to take part in a new round of funding.

“Our members have told us that they want Co-op to focus on the real issues affecting people’s lives, and act on the issues that matter most. We know that things are  increasingly challenging for communities and through this funding we can make a difference locally and help people to thrive.’’ 

Applications are open until Sunday, 6 July – for more information, and to apply, visit coop.co.uk/causes   

With its history dating back 180 years, Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives. Its 6.5m members own the business and play an intrinsic part in its governance with a say in how the organisation is run.

£5.5 million for ‘Extra Time’ football partnership with SFA

Funding boost for activities clubs for children from low income families

Funding of £5.5 million for the Extra Time programme, which provides free activities clubs before school, after school and during the school holidays for primary age pupils, will support families on low incomes outwith school.

On a visit to the St Mirren Charitable Foundation’s Extra Time service at Kirklandneuk Primary School in Renfrew, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville saw how the programme is helping parents to get into and stay in work or training, or increase their working hours.

The 2025 Extra Time Evaluation Report, published today by the Scottish FA, highlights the potential for the scheme to support the Scottish Government’s priorities of growing the economy and eradicating child poverty.

Ms Somerville said: “The Extra Time programme is helping us to better understand how providing activities clubs before school, after school and during the holidays can improve outcomes for families on low incomes by supporting parents into work, training, studying or providing respite.

“We are increasing our funding by £1.5 million to invest £5.5 million this year to expand the Extra Time Programme – increasing the number of football clubs and trusts we are working with from 31 to 53. This national programme will provide around 5,000 children and their families on low incomes with access to vital services.

“The evaluation demonstrates that, as well as helping realise our priorities in growing the economy and eradicating child poverty, the Extra Time programme is supporting kids with their school attendance and attainment, helping tackle food insecurity and improving children’s health and wellbeing.”

Ian Maxwell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Football Association, said: “Today’s announcement of increased funding for the Extra Time programme is a significant boost, and testament to the success of the initiative and the impact it continues to have on families across the country.

“While this may be a football-based programme, with obvious health and education benefits to children who participate, the positive effects of Extra Time are felt throughout the entire family and it is another example of how the power of football makes a tangible difference across Scotland.

“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for this additional investment which will allow clubs to continue to bring Extra Time to life. It’s a hugely worthwhile programme and something we’re delighted to be involved in.”

Scottish FA Extra Time impact report

FROM STEM TO THE SEA: Scottish charities benefit from share of £1.2m Scottishpower Foundation fund

Seven Scottish charities are set to receive a share of funding pot of over £1.2 million from the ScottishPower Foundation.

From environmental conservation to helping to provide education and opportunities to those in need, the projects, along with thirteen other charities in England and Wales, will receive a funding boost to empower them to continue to support the local environment and the communities they serve. 

Aberdeen Science Centre’s ‘Sustainable Superstars’ is set to benefit from funding. The soon-to-launch project is designed to make learning accessible and enjoyable for all to inspire a lifelong passion for science.

The new ‘Sustainable Superstars Roadshow’ will take interactive climate change lessons to 30,000 people in communities across North East Scotland within some of the most deprived Scottish neighbourhoods.

Exploring topics like sustainable travel, fashion and food as well as carbon emissions, the project seeks to inspire children and adults to embrace innovation for a greener future.

Bryan Snelling, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “As a STEM education charity that aims to inspire the next generation and instil a lifelong interest in science, we are always looking for fresh and creative ways to reach our audiences.

“We are very grateful to the ScottishPower Foundation for this funding, with our team busy developing activities for our new ‘Sustainable Superstars Roadshow’, which will help to educate and inform participants.”

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “Aberdeen Science Centre’s ‘Sustainable Superstars Roadshow’ is an excellent community-based project that will inspire the next generation of STEM experts, helping pupils in the north east to get a better understanding of how each and every one of us can make a difference to our global climate challenges.

We’re always looking to back organisations we feel will drive positive and lasting change across the UK and believe this year’s funded projects play a crucial role within our society – tackling some of the toughest challenges faced by communities across the country. We’re inspired by volunteers and charity workers doing incredible things in these communities and we can’t wait to see the extraordinary things they achieve this year.”

Another project receiving a share of the funding is Camphill Blair Drummond, an organisation providing residential places and day service activities for adults with learning disabilities. The ScottishPower Foundation’s funding will support the renovation of its media studio to create a new space for filmmaking and recording with advanced equipment.

By equipping individuals with the skills required for potential employment or further study, the project hopes to foster confidence and creativity within the community. Additionally, the project plans to expand its learning disability film festival, celebrating diversity through the arts and giving a voice to the learning disability community within Scotland and beyond.

On the Isle of Mull, The Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust has been a pioneering force for the conservation of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in western Scotland for the past three decades.

The Trust will receive funding from the ScottishPower Foundation to support its latest initiative, Hebridean Marine Explorers: Connecting Scotland’s Seas and Communities.

Developed to inspire young people and local communities through unique outdoor education experiences and innovative co-design approach, the project comes complete with “floating classrooms” aboard the research yacht, Silurian.

The programme offers truly unique and immersive educational workshops where students can learn about marine life, conduct self-led research, and develop solutions to local environmental issues.

Additionally, a series of digital lessons will extend the project’s reach, fostering ocean literacy across Scotland and engaging a wider audience in marine conservation efforts.

Since 2013 the ScottishPower Foundation has donated over £15 million to more than 250 projects supporting people, communities and the environment. This year’s funding of over £1.2 million, aims to bolster projects focused on education, training, climate action, the arts and social initiatives that will make a real impact in their communities.

A full list of the 2025 ScottishPower Foundation funded projects are:

Three local projects backed by RSE and Williamson Trust

Three Edinburgh-based community projects have been awarded a total of more than £14,000 in research funding by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and Williamson Trust to promote healthy living.

Lauriston Farm and local environmental artist Natalie Taylor will benefit from a share of the funding pot, along with Leith-based Earth in Common.

Lauriston Farm, run by a workers’ cooperative, is dedicated to sustainable food production, biodiversity, and community. They will use their award of £4550 to develop a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisers using Aerated Compost Teas, a process of mixing compost with water and then introducing oxygen into the mixture. 

Despite their potential, practical guidance for integrating compost teas into commercial market gardens and the potential benefits remains limited. The project is aiming to bridge that gap by refining recipes and protocols to make knowledge of Aerated Compost Teas production accessible and effective for both commercial growers and people at home.

Grower and Coop Director Jossie Ellis said: “This funding will enable us to advance our experiments using Aerated Compost Teas in the Market Garden, which will help to improve soil health, crop resilience, and sustainable food production.

“With this support, we hope to refine our methodologies, share findings with growers, and contribute to a more regenerative food system.”

Environmental artist Natalie Taylor has received £4500 for her Scran Fir Bees project to extend a series of existing public space artworks incorporating wildflowers to provide nectar-rich habitats and food sources for pollinators.

Her long-term vision is that these artworks, using large-scale text cut into the landscape, will join up to eventually form a bee corridor across the North of Edinburgh.

Natalie Taylor said: “I am so pleased to be able to work alongside local communities to design, develop and implement the new environmental artwork, sharing skills in meadow maintenance and strategic seeding to increase local biodiversity.

“Through fun, creative workshops, I will highlight the importance of our relationship with insect pollinators, which contribute vital services to roughly one-third of our food. I see this creative action for biodiversity as really important at the moment due to the ongoing crisis in pollinator populations, especially in urban environments such as Edinburgh where there are so many natural spaces where we can potentially help them.”

The Edinburgh projects are among 16 innovative community-led research projects across Scotland to receive funding from the RSE and the Williamson Trust.

A total of £73,625 has been given to a range of creative projects to foster healthy communities as part of the Healthy Planet, Healthy People awards.

Meanwhile, Earth in Common, based at Leith Community Croft, which includes a market garden, an orchard, and a community area shared by over 100 growers, has been awarded £5000.

The Croft is situated on Common Good land inspired by the Gaelic concept of dùthchas – the deep-rooted connection between people and the land.

They will use the funding to gather data on cultivated and wild plants and pollinators, which will help formulate strategies for biodiversity conservation and inform a guidance manual for urban green spaces across Scotland.

Evie Murray, CEO of Earth in Common, said: “This award will boost our mission to demonstrate that urban crofts, such as our model Leith Community Croft, can effectively address multiple societal and environmental issues. With its orchard, wild areas, market garden and unique system of group-shared food-growing plots, it has already been shown to foster great biodiversity.

“This will empower our ‘Crofters’ – local residents – to develop citizen-science skills to monitor and further increase biodiversity. This should benefit them as individuals and foster pride and engagement in land stewardship in densely populated Leith.

“We hope that the methodology we collectively develop will be widely shared and can have a significant positive impact on nature and people’s relationship with it across Scotland.”

This is the second year of the awards, generously funded by the Williamson Trust, a charitable organisation. The strength of the applications in the second round of the funding programme resulted in four additional projects being awarded financial support.

Professor David E Salt FRSE, Chair of the Williamson Trust, said: “This year, we again have an amazing diversity of projects, from dolphins, bees, seeds, orchards, woodlands and lochs to food banks, composting, urban crofts and coffee shops. We truly look to invest in hope and the power of ideas wherever they arise.

“The trustees at the Williamson Trust are excited to fund 16 great community-led projects from across Scotland.

“Applications to the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Community-led Research Awards continue to grow, demonstrating the strong desire of communities in Scotland to develop local solutions to the ongoing global challenges to our environment, our communities and our food.

“The Trust hopes that these locally focused projects can find solutions to the challenges the local communities face and that these solutions can also have wider application.”

RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE, commented: “This marks the second round of RSE ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’: Community-led Research Awards, which were introduced to expand the Society’s range of awards and the type of research we support.

“The health of people and the environment are closely connected, and I hope that these awards will strengthen these innovative research groups and drive positive change in both areas. I look forward to following their progress and achievements over the coming year.”

Applications open for Edinburgh’s Community Grants Fund

The City of Edinburgh Council is now accepting applications for its Community Grants Fund (CGF), offering grants of up to £5,000 to support community work in neighbourhoods across Edinburgh.

The Community Grants Fund (CGF) is a small grants scheme designed to empower local communities and support grassroots initiatives. Grants of up to £5,000 are available to constituted groups for community-based activities, with 13 local funds corresponding to different areas of the city.

If you are part of a community group with a project in mind, you may be eligible to apply to your local fund.

The CGF has previously supported a variety of important projects, including the Grassmarket Community Cinema Project, bespoke driven bikes for North Edinburgh Dementia Care and a a community orchard group at Lauriston Farm  – and your project could be next!

Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “Community-driven projects have the power to transform neighbourhoods and improve lives. Our communities are the lifeblood of our city, and we are committed to ensuring they have the resources they need to turn their ideas into reality.

“The Community Grant Fund offers a valuable opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I’m excited to see the incredible projects that will emerge from this round of applications.”

The deadline for applications is midnight on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.

All applications will be reviewed in June, and successful applicants will be notified soon after.

Quotes from past participants:

North Edinburgh Dementia Care (Craigentinny Duddingston)

Project: To trial a project getting older isolated people with a diagnosis of dementia out and about in the community using bespoke driven bikes.

Quote: “The grant has enabled us to work in partnership with Joy Rides to deliver an outdoor bike program to our service users, who have a diagnosis of dementia.
Service users enjoyed a ride on a trishaw which is a customised electric bike with a driver cycling from behind.

“Promoting their health & wellbeing and reducing isolation being outdoors in the fresh air, making them visible in their own community.

“The project enabled people who were no longer able to cycle independently to feel the wind in their hair and the exhilaration of the travelling on a bike through beautiful areas, in a safe, secure and supported environment.” (quote from participant)

Grassmarket Community Project (City Centre)

Project: Funding to hire a cinema director and two projectionists part-time to continue their valuable work curating and delivering a weekly film programme for the Community Picture House.

Quotes: “In summary, the Grassmarket Community Picture House played a pivotal role in enhancing the lives of its attendees by providing social interaction, cultural enrichment, and access to support services. This initiative promoted positive social engagement, reduced isolation, and empowered individuals to build connections and grow within a supportive community environment.” (quote from participant)

Edinburgh Agroecology- Lauriston Farm (Almond)

Project: to develop a community orchard group

Quote: “The Orchard project is beneficial to the community on many levels. Not only is it an investment in future fruit production, it is also where the wider community, especially children, can learn so much about natural food sources and the splendid variety of fruits.

‘For the group directly involved, the orchard is a joyful space for creativity and learning about simple, natural and organic technologies. The collaboration and commitment of stalwart Orchard Group Members combined with dedication of the directors of Lauriston Farm is second to none.” (quote from participant)