Greener Leith aims to make it easy for other local groups to get hold of funding for Green Space improvements. If you have a good idea, but just need the funding, you may be able to get help from one of the organisations below. If you want help developing a project you may wish to contact us to find out what else is happening already and whether there are any other people who can help you.

This page focusses on funding sources that groups in Edinburgh are eligible to apply for. If you're looking for funding for Green Space improvements outside the city there may be other sources of funding available to you.

CSV Action Earth Grants

Grants of up to £50 for groups who want to undertake a small practical project. Grants awarded on annual basis. See www.actionearth.org.uk for more information.

Edinburgh Parks and Garden Capital Programme

Through the Parks and Gardens Capital Programme the City of Edinburgh Council is investing £5.6m, over the next three years, into parks and green spaces to improve their use and enjoyment by the public and to enhance and conserve the historic, geological and nature value of the sites. As part of this programme money has been allocated to aid community groups working to improve the environment in their local park, woodland or green space.

Downlaod the factsheet and application pack for more information. 

Community Food and Health Scotland - Small Grants Scheme

Community Food and Health (Scotland) has an annual small grants scheme available for groups and agencies in Scotland who wish to improve access to, and take up of a healthy, varied and balanced diet. Grants from £500 to £3000 are available and grant recipients are expected to spend their grant money within one year. See their website for more information.

Neighbourhood Partnership Grants

These grants are provided by the City of Edinburgh Council. Funding is usually available for projects up to £5000. Applications are assessed by council officers but local councillors make the final decision over whether funding is awarded. Call 0131 469 3595 for more information.

Waste Action Grants

These grants are also provided by the City of Edinburgh Council. Up to £2500 is available for community groups who wish to undertake a project that encourages people to reduce, re-use, or recycle waste in Edinburgh.

Biodiversity Grants

The Natural Heritage section of the City of Edinburgh Council has a small grant fund (up to £500) to assist with projects that help to support the biodiversity within the open spaces of Edinburgh. Call 0131 469 3677 for more information.

SNH Grant Schemes

Scottish Natural Heritage run a variety of different grant schemes that community groups can access. See www.snh.org.uk/about/ab-grants01.asp for more information.

Viridor Landfill Tax Credits

Accessing Landfill tax can be quite complex. However, the money can be used to pay for improvements to Green Spaces in the City of Edinburgh. Forward Scotland administer the Viridor Landfill Tax programme that will pay up to £20,000 and no more than 75% of total project costs. In addition, a third party (neither the applicant nor Viridor) must pay an extra 10% of the total grant to Viridor to release the money.

Funding to Help Get You Started

The following grants don't directly relate to open-space. However, they can help new organisations get started.

Leith Benevolent Association

The Leith Benevolent Association  provides small grants from £50 - £2500 for projects or activities run by individuals or groups for the benefit of people in or linked to Leith.

Scottish Community Foundation - Community Grant Scheme

Community Grants are one off sums of up to £5,000. The majority of the funding is directed at locally based work carried out, and often initiated by, members of that local community. Therefore we currently only consider applications from smaller organisations that have an income of less than £250,000 per annum. See the Scottish Community Foundation web-site for more info.