Granton Community Gardeners – Page 2 – The NEN

Edinburgh’s Regenerative Futures Fund Moves into Next Phase

Edinburgh’s pioneering Regenerative Futures Fund has reached a major milestone in its long-term effort to shift power and resources into the hands of communities tackling poverty, racism and the climate crisis.

From 97 proposals, a Panel, made up of 15 Edinburgh residents with direct experience of poverty and racism, selected 34 projects to advance to the next stage of funding.

50% of selected projects are led by Black and People of Colour, reflecting the city’s commitment to dismantling racism, tackling the climate transition, ending poverty, and addressing the interconnected challenges shaping a just and thriving future.

Included among the projects initially selected are local initiatives Lauriston Farm Collective, Muirhouse Youth Development Group and R2 (above).

The Resident’s Panel has spent months listening, learning and working through each application with care, mapping projects across the City by geography, theme, and approach. Projects selected will enter the capacity-building phase, from August until December, giving groups the time, space and funding to develop full proposals for long-term, unrestricted funding.

Proposals submitted at the start of 2026 will then be considered for an annual award of £100,000, for ten years. Between 10 and fifteen projects will be selected.

However, the work of the fund goes beyond this as all 34 groups, and dozens more from the initial 97 projects, have registered interest in joining the Regenerative Futures Fund wider network for peer learning, collaboration and collective action – a shared movement for the future of Edinburgh.

“We’re here to build movements, as well as to distribute funds,” says Aala Ross, Co-Head of the Fund. “If we accept that the Fund exists to redistribute power, not just resources, we can reimagine our role as something more powerful.

We nurture conditions for collective power, we build trust across difference, and we learn together, to challenge the systems that shape our lives.”

Leah Black, Co-Head, adds: “We’re flipping the usual script on funding. We’re saying: here’s the time, here’s the space, here’s the support – now let’s imagine and build the future we actually want.

“That’s what makes this different. It’s rooted in care, equity and collaboration, and it’s led by the people who live and breathe these challenges every day.”

The Regenerative Futures Fund is backed by some of the UK’s biggest charitable funders, including the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Robertson Trust, Turn2us Edinburgh Trust, Foundation Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council.

Crucially, these funders have stepped back from decision-making, placing control firmly with local people.

City Council Leader Jane Meagher said “Five years ago, Edinburgh became the first UK city to set a target date to end poverty. To achieve this, we must be ambitious and drive the change that is so greatly needed, which means being brave and being innovative.

“We know this is a challenging time for the third sector and we’re working to increase stability for organisations. By giving greater, longer-term support to community projects, they can get on with what they do best – supporting residents, tackling poverty, and changing lives.

“Edinburgh’s Regenerative Futures Fund is a unique new fund to help us achieve just that and end poverty together.

“I’m excited to see a shortlist drawn up by individuals with lived experience of poverty and looking forward to funding awards being presented early next year.”

In September, the wider network of applicants and community groups will come together for the first time to begin a city-wide journey of learning, connection and shared action.

The Fund is also inviting new partners, funders, donors, philanthropists and supporters to join this long-term collaborative effort to reimagine how resources are shared in the city.

For more information, including the list of the 34 projects in the capacity-building phase, visit Services 4 — Regenerative Futures Fund | Working Together Towards A Regenerative And Just Future For Edinburgh | Community Fund | Scotland – UK

Tomorrow: Summer BBQ with Granton Community Gardeners

SUMMER BBQ THIS WEDS 30th JULY 2-5pm (or when the food runs out). FREE, at the community garden (10 Wardieburn Road).

With BBQ from Scran Academy, bread from Granton Garden Bakery, and salad from Lauriston Farm (Edinburgh Agroecology Coop). ALL WELCOME!

Wednesday gardening club is on as usual from 1pm.

Dr Bike will be in 2-4pm -Free bike safety checks (thanks to R2 and North Edinburgh Arts)

Please note, this event with the Scran Van is earlier than our usual 5pm for the last Wednesday of the month.

Granton Nature Watch

LEARN ABOUT LOCAL NATURE WITH COMMUNITY GARDENERS

Can you help us learn about nature in Granton?

We have a new project to survey, map and learn about our local wildlife and how nature and people can live well together in Granton.

We’d love to see your nature photos and hear about the wildlife that you see!

We’re also looking for people who would be willing to do regular surveys on a walk, in a park or in your own garden.

No experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Suitable for children too.

Get in touch with Katie on katie@grantoncommunitygardeners.org to find out more.

Dr Bike sessions in North Edinburgh

Why not get your bike checked, serviced, and fixed for FREE by Dr Bike experts?

Check out the dates for the upcoming bike sessions in North Edinburgh. No booking needed, just drop in!

Open to all local residents.

16 July – Fresh Start (2–4pm) Fresh Start

24 July – Lauriston Farm (3–5pm)

30 July – Granton Community Gardeners (2–4pm) Granton Community Gardeners

6 August – Fresh Start (2–4pm)

14 August – Lauriston Farm (3–5pm)

27 August – Granton Community Gardeners (2–4pm)

Part of R2 North Edinburgh Active Travel Project

Over £450,000 in funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in Scotland’s cities and towns

WINDFALL FOR GRANTON COMMUNITY GARDENERS

The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees

Future Woodlands Scotland (FWS), the charity dedicated to creating and conserving woodlands across Scotland, has selected the first seven projects to receive large grants of up to £100,000 from its Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund.

The Urban Forestry Programme is an ambitious ten-year project that sees FWS working alongside project founding partner bp to support and improve green spaces in Scotland’s cities, towns, and urban areas.

The seven successful projects focus on increasing access to green spaces in underserved areas, promoting biodiversity, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. They aim to create a long-lasting impact on local communities, offering opportunities for outdoor education, mental and physical health improvement, and strengthening community ties.

The projects include:

Govanhill Baths Community Trust, Creative Canopy Project, Glasgow (above)

An arts and environmental project based in Govanhill which invites residents, artists and growers to co-create a dispersed orchard across the neighbourhood.

Glasgow City Council, The Glasgow Canopy Project

Planting street trees, woodland planting, hedgerows and habitat creation in the Govan and Dalmarnock areas of Glasgow.

St Marks Primary School, Planting our Way to a Better Future, Glasgow

Planting a combination of whips and standard trees in school grounds in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire.

Edible Estates, Nature Around Us, Edinburgh (above)

Working with residents, schools and community organisations to establish woodlands and orchards within two council housing estates in Edinburgh.

West Lothian Council, West Lothian Urban Tree Planting Project

Planting trees in parks and public green spaces, residential areas and school grounds and giving residents the opportunity to be involved.

South Lanarkshire Council, Removing Barriers to Tree Planting

Planting trees in strategic locations across South Lanarkshire, with a link to Clyde Climate Forest to allow collaboration with partners.

City of Edinburgh Council, Canopy Communities Project

A partnership project with Granton Community Gardeners to support tree planting and ecological connectivity in three areas of the city including co-design with residents.

Funding for these projects follows an announcement earlier this year about the first three projects – Friends of Inch Park, Friends of Linn Park and Norton Park SCIO – to receive small grants of almost £51,000 between them.

A total of 33 applications were submitted across two competitive grant categories: projects ranging from £2,000 to £20,000, and those ranging from £20,000 to £100,000.

Shireen Chambers, CEO of FWS said: “It’s been fantastic to see the response to the first year of the Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund with 10 projects selected for funding across both grant categories.

“We looked for projects with a strong urban focus which prioritise areas most in need of trees and woodlands. We want to ensure everyone can benefit from trees – by learning about them, engaging in their care or simply spending time around them.

“These greening projects will bring more trees into the heart of our towns and cities – enhancing spaces, strengthening communities and helping more people connect with nature.

“We are proud to lead this important initiative with the backing of our founding partner bp and we look forward to seeing how these projects create lasting change over the coming years.”

Projects were chosen based on the contribution they could make to the Urban Forestry Programme goal of helping towns and cities across Scotland achieve the 3:30:300 rule: everyone should see three trees from their home, every neighbourhood should have 30% tree canopy and quality green space within 300 metres

The City of Edinburgh Council was awarded £100,000 over three years to recruit a Canopy Development Officer for its Canopy Communities project.

The project will support the co-design of greener spaces in three areas of the city, educating residents on species, biodiversity and the importance of trees, with the aim of achieving 30% canopy cover.

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Trees make life better for everyone and this is an opportunity to plant more, where people want them.

“We know just how important green spaces are to people’s health and wellbeing and initiatives like Canopy Communities, alongside others like our commitment to become a Million Tree City by 2030 and our Thriving Green spaces 2050 strategy, are about involving communities to create, protect, and sustain woodland and biodiversity across Edinburgh.

“I’m delighted with this funding, which will let us progress essential work on our Canopy Communities project. It recognises the impact this project will have on enhancing and growing green space in the city where it is most needed.”

Increasing the number of trees in Scotland’s cities and towns is crucial in supporting the journey to net zero and delivering a wide range of socio-economic benefits. Urban tree cover is currently less than 16%, much lower than the EU average of 30.2%.

Applications for funding were assessed using the Tree Equity tool, which was created to address imbalances in urban tree distribution by American Forests, a US non-profit organisation, and was brought to the UK by the Woodland Trust and Centre for Sustainable Healthcare.

In addition to the 10 funded projects, the Urban Forestry Programme has also supported two pilot projects: a fruit and nut tree planting project in Stirling, and a tree warden volunteer scheme in Glasgow.

Applications for the 2025 Urban Forestry Programme Challenge Fund will open in November.

More information on the Urban Forestry programme is available at www.futurewoodlands.org.uk

Granton Community Gardeners AGM

WEDNESDAY 19th MARCH from 5.30 – 6.30pm

at ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE

Our AGM is coming up: Wednesday 19th March 5.30-6.30 at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. (room F40, upstairs -there’s an accessible lift).

You’re all invited! As well as some formal business like the presentation of accounts and trustee election, we’ll do a wee review of the past year, and a look ahead to the coming one.

We’ll provide some light refreshments, so if you’re planning to come it’s helpful if you can message us so we know numbers.

If you’re a member you should already have an invite, but please note we’ve had to change the venue as PCHP will now be closed that week for electrical works.

If you’re not a member but would like to sign up, all the relevant info is here:

https://forms.gle/wQet38pCgZpQkLYi6

Burns Night Community Ceilidh: Tickets go on sale tomorrow

Coming soon! Our 11th Annual Burns Night Community Ceilidh!

Saturday 25th January 5-8.30 at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.

Tickets on sale from tomorrow – Monday 13th January.

With Pilton Community Health Project

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Tinderbox Collective and many more..

Bake Sale at Granton Community Garden

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER from 1 – 4pm

NEXT Wednesday afternoon, a group are running this bake sale, as a fundraiser for a local disabled person.

Donations of baked treats are welcome and can be brought along on the day..

We’ll also have our regular gardening club open drop-in (1-4pm) and free lunch at 2pm. Dress for the weather!

Later at 5pm, we’ll also have our regular monthly community meal with the Scran Van. Free, all welcome! (Weds 27th Nov)

Community gardening project brings together over fifteen nationalities in North Edinburgh

Granton Community Gardeners features on a new episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast

A community-led food growing charity, based on Wardieburn Road in North Edinburgh, has been featured on the latest podcast episode from climate charity Carbon Copy.

Granton Community Gardeners, which was founded by a group of neighbours in 2010, is now a flourishing and vital community organisation, with weekly gardening and cooking sessions, a chicken co-op, cycle repair pop-ups and a beautiful permanent garden space used by diverse groups from around the area.

Speaking to podcast host Isabelle Sparrow, Mary, one of the co-founders of the charity, explained why a project like this is so important: “We have over fifteen different nationalities that come here.

[People come from] Germany, France, Kenya, India, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria…I wish each community could have something like this. When you come here, you eat fresh food, you engage yourself, your mind is relaxed, your wellbeing [improves]. You are not bored. When you come here, sometimes you work, even if you don’t work, you come and sit and eat!”

Granton Community Gardeners has recently been recognised for its important work by being selected as part of the Nature Neighbourhoods programme.

Led by the RSPB, WWF-UK and National Trust and funded by National Lottery Communities Fund and the Co-op, Nature Neighbourhoods is a UK-wide programme supporting projects in towns and cities that are helping to connect people with nature and wildlife.

Speaking on the podcast, Rory Crawford who is managing the programme for the National Trust said: “Community organisations are doing brilliant work at the community level in many of our towns and cities, and nature organisations are doing some excellent work at the national level, and you know in some places doing some really great work in towns and cities too.

“But there can often be a disconnect between those two parts of the sector. One bit which is perhaps higher capacity and works on big national policy issues, and another bit which is very much focused on the local: what matters to an individual place.

“We need to be able to work more meaningfully in towns and cities. We need more nature in towns and cities. We just need to have it. That’s where people will get that first spark if we’re going to have any hope of solving the nature crisis … it’s all about hearing what a community needs and wants from nature in their place.

“And that’s our starting point for it. So that’s why we’re working with anchor organisations in Nature Neighbourhoods like Granton Community Gardeners.”

To learn more about Granton Community Gardeners and how the Nature Neighbourhoods programme is supporting this and other local projects around the UK, listen to All Nature: Nourishing Connections, on the Carbon Copy website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Tomorrow: Granton Harvest Festival

Harvest Festival at Granton Community Gardeners

It’s that time of the year again – crisp air and vibrant leaves! Come celebrate Harvest Festival at Granton Community Gardens, a family-friendly event full of fun, great food, and community spirit.

When: Tomorrow 14th of September 3-6pm