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  • Funding Support for Sustainability Projects

    Are you part of a community or community group that is looking for help to become more sustainable, or to start creating projects that will help your community become more sustainable? Projects like community gardens, community pantry & energy schemes have all benefited from funding support, and you could too!

Find the right funding for your community project

NESCAN Hub is here to help

Navigating the world of funding can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help you find the fund that is the best fit for your community project - why not start with our simple two-step process?

NESCAN Hub is involved in a range of funding opportunities aimed at empowering communities and organisations to create and develop climate action and biodiversity projects. What's more, if one of the three highlighted funds isn't right for you we can help identify alternative funding 'pots'  and support you through the application process.  

STEP 1

Each fund has basic criteria that must be met. As a first step look at two of our funds - SEED, and LEAF shown below. If you meet the basic criteria stated then this may be the fund for you, if not make sure you review the criteria under the other fund. Once you have identified a potential fund you can find out more via the links provided.

STEP 2

If these two funding opportunities are not suitable, or if you want further advice about any of these funds or funding in general then please complete the form at the bottom of this page, or email rachel@nescan.org

1. SEED Fund. 

You may be able to apply for the Seed fund if you are a not-for profit community group based in Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire with an income under £50k. For more information, examples of previous projects and how to apply - click here.   

Hazlehead Squirrel Woodland Management 17 March 2018 (4)

2. LEAF Fund 

Are you looking for funding for your new environmental project in Aberdeen City?

You may be able to apply for the Local Environmental Action Fund

Find out more here about the fund.

LEAF Round 2 Dec 2024
muddywellies

How to find guidance & apply for funding

If you are seeking to explore funding sources for community projects, our team will endeavour to help with each step of the funding process. Support will range from identifying potential funders to reporting back to funders.

For advice, please complete the form at the bottom of this page, or email rachel@nescan.org

Although written with the heritage sector in mind, the Inspiring Fundraising website is an excellent resource for those seeking funding for climate action projects. They have provided a detailed step-by-step manual about how to research and apply for funding. 

Kickstart your project!

Are you looking for starter funding to kickstart a new project?

As well as being able to help you identify potential funding sources, NESCAN Hub also has funding available as seed funding for new projects in the North East of Scotland.

Seed Funding is now open. 

community garden member holding basket of vegetables

Key funding websites & sources

 

The National Lottery

The National Lottery provides funding for voluntary or community groups with a written constitution as well as those with charitable status. Awards for All grants can now be up to £20k

 Home | The National Lottery Community Fund (tnlcommunityfund.org.uk)

Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)

Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) maintain a free online funding search engine at Funding Scotland, with some information restricted to members only.

ACVO

Aberdeen City's third sector interface, Aberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations (ACVO) has a wealth of funding information available on their website. 

AVA

Aberdeenshire's third sector interface, Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action (AVA) have lots of funding information and host a funding search engine, including local funders such as windfarms, on their website.

Foundation Scotland

Foundation Scotland have a diverse range of funding programmes waiting to benefit communities across Scotland. With donors representing a broad spectrum of aims and wishes, the funds available range in size, intent and purpose.

 

Greenspace Scotland

Greenspace Scotland focus on funding sources for greenspaces. Find out more here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We support not-for-profit community-based organisations to explore climate action projects, or to make their organisations more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Please become a member of our Network to receive free information, support and updates. Click here to join.

We can provide support at all stages of the funding process, from designing aims and objectives, project planning, identifying suitable potential funding sources, preparing applications, planning monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, and preparing accounts and reports for funders.

Climate action encompasses all sorts of activities that help to create more sustainable and resilient communities, to address inequalities and and to protect and enhance nature and the environment. 

Climate action is many things at many different levels. Climate action tackles the causes and consequences of climate change. It is about reducing carbon emissions and changing the way we live to create more inclusive and sustainable societies that respect, protect and enhance nature. Climate action is about civic, political and business leaders taking the decisions necessary to reduce our harmful impact on the climate and environment and communities holding those in power accountable for these decisions. Climate action is all of these things, and more.

Mitigation refers to actions that reduce the use of greenhouse gases, such as switching to renewable energy and burning less fossil fuel.  

Adaptation refers to actions that will help us to cope with the impact of climate change, like building resilient infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather conditions.

For Further Support?