FUNDING.
Discover funding opportunities tailored to your organisation’s climate action and community initiatives. This resource connects you with funding finder databases and highlights any relevant open grants.
Funding Finders
West Lothian 4 Community
A free to access portal to funding information setup by WLC for over 500 UK wide funds to support local voluntary organisations.
https://funding.idoxopen4community.co.uk/westlothian
SCVO Funding Scotland
Funding Scotland is a funding finder website run by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation. Here, you can filter funds by geographical area, activities and beneficiaries.
Funding Opportunities
CARES – Community and Renewable Energy Scheme
Local Energy Scotland manages the Scottish Government’s CARES programme. CARES supports communities across Scotland to engage with, participate in and benefit from the energy transition to net zero emissions. The main two paths are the Community Buildings Fund and the Community Energy Generation Growth Fund.
The buildings fund gives grants for communities that want to install renewable systems in community buildings such as faith buildings, village halls and community centres. Read more.
The energy generation fund offers grants and loans for communities that want to own and operate renewable energy technologies. Read more.
If you are new to community energy and not sure where to start, you can get help from the Community Energy Launchpad which supports groups exploring this for the first time. Read more.
Edinburgh Airport Development Fund
The fund issues awards to various community projects including those benefiting the environment. The last round of funding has now reopened. Proposed projects must align with one or more of the pillars of Edinburgh Airport’s Greater Good sustainability strategy. Rolling programme of funding that refreshes several times a year.
Walking Scotland
Previously the Ian Findlay Path Fund, this has been rebranded as Walking Scotland. This supports the improvement of local path networks within and between communities, making it easier for people to walk, wheel or cycle for everyday journeys. Funding of between £10,000 – £100,000 is available, with 30% match funding required (15% can be in kind). Applications can be made throughout the year. However, the budget is restricted for each financial year (April-March). Successful projects will have 12 months from the time an offer is made to complete their project.
Action Earth
Action Earth provides grants to help urban communities to respond to the climate crisis. Funded by NatureScot, these grants support volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities in practical outdoor activities in cities, towns and villages. Activities should emphasise local nature enrichment and biodiversity improvements: note they can’t support applications mainly about food growing. Applications for 2026 now open – work must be completed and reports submitted by 28 February 2027.
