Funding for Green Spaces
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.
O2 Its Your Community Grants
O2 provide grant funding for green space improvements up to £1000. More information and fantastically simple on-line applciation form (other funders please take note!) are available here - www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk
Help Yourselves
Grants of up to £1000 available to young people who wish to take action to improve their local community. See www.helpyourselves.org.uk for more information.
The Big Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery Fund are a great place to start. There are a number of grant giving programmes that range from small grants up to £5000 to much larger ones. See www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/scotland
Local Development Committee 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.
Playground Partnerships
£250 - £10,000 awarded to help schools to improve their school grounds. Free resource pack and application information at www.playgroundpartnerships.org
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.
HBOS Foundation
Grants of up to £10,000 available for developing and improving communities. See www.hbosfoundation.org form 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.
Environmental Justice Fund
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.
Go4 Volunteering
The majority of voluntary organisations in Scotland depend on volunteers for the services they deliver, the activities they run and the huge range of work they carry out in their local communities. GO4Volunteering helps the management committees and staff of local grassroots organisations to build their skills around recruiting and supporting their volunteers. See the Voluntary Action Fund web-site for more information.
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.