Climate Engagement Fund

We welcome applications from a range of organisations with existing community connections:

Place-based organisations: 

• local community or voluntary groups 

• community trusts 

• community planning partnerships 

Sectoral and institutional organisations:  

• educational organisations (colleges, universities) 

• cultural organisations (libraries, museums, sports clubs) 

• science organisations (science centres, festivals) 

• environmental organisations 

Equality-based organisations 

• disabled people’s organisations 

• minority ethnic groups

• LGBTQ+ community organisations 

• faith/belief groups 

• age advocacy groups 

• gender-focused organisations 

Organisation requirements

Your organisation must be: 

• incorporated (SCIO, Scottish-based charity registered with Companies House or FCA) 

• OR a Community Benefit Society regulated by FCA 

• OR a Community Interest Company meeting regulatory requirements 

• OR a social enterprise or other type of not-for-profit organisation  

AND must: 

• have a registered address in Scotland 

• operate on a not-for-profit basis 

• follow National Standards for Community Engagement 

• be solvent with a UK bank account and approved accounts 

• control project income and expenditure 

We welcome 'new to climate action' organisations. You don't need experience of delivering the exact proposed activities, but you should: 

• show experience of doing similar work 

• explain how you'll address any expertise gaps to support your project 

Who is not eligible 

The following cannot apply (as a lead organisation): 

• private sector businesses 

• individual influencers 

• local councils 

• primary and secondary schools 

These organisations may act as a partner on a project led by an eligible organisation.  

Community Climate Action Hubs may also act as a partner on a project but not a lead organisation. 

Partnership applications

If you are applying as a partnership:  

• there must be an eligible lead organisation 

• all partners must be fully aware of the application 

• arrangements should be clearly defined 

 Organisations recently funded by Scottish Government may need to show funding diversification plans.

Key criteria

Projects will be evaluated against:

1. Audience engagement

• using innovative or varied approaches - we expect projects to demonstrate a clear rationale for the proposed activities, target audience(s) and/or engagement methods, drawing on evidence about effective climate change engagement 

• designing engagement methods suited to specific audiences

Projects will need to specify their intended audience, such as:

• People with the means to make lifestyle changes to enable climate action

• People who are underrepresented or less engaged in climate policy and/or vulnerable to the impacts of climate change

• People who can be supported to access green jobs and careers

• Communities of place or interest, including children and young people, who are interested in having a genuine role in decision making

• Multiple, intergenerational or wider audiences (inc. national)

  2. Building Understanding

Showing how the project helps audiences to:

• Connect the impacts of climate change to their lives, and show how climate action can be part of their lives

• Recognise the co-benefits of climate action, including those felt in the longer term

• Be aware of the action being taken across Scotland to tackle and adapt to climate change - by individuals, communities, businesses, and Government

• Recognise the need for societal/systemic change as part of a just transition to a net zero and climate resilient nation

Projects should indicate which of the following topics they will incorporate into engagement (please select one or more):

• Clean heating and energy efficiency

• Sustainable transport: promoting active travel, public transport, driving less, sharing cars, switching to electric vehicles

• Adaptation, resilience and environmental management - e.g., flood resilience, delivered through activities like peatland restoration and tree planting

• Protection of nature and natural resources - e.g., reducing water usage, prevention of wildfires, and enhancing biodiversity

• Circular economy, such as reuse and repair, food waste and links to the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map, and Circular Economy Strategy

  3. Alignment with our Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change

• Demonstrating understanding of the Strategy and how the project contributes to its delivery

• Addressing its objectives and principles in how the project is designed

Projects may be keen to focus on the benefits of climate action, such as on health and wellbeing, as the key driver for participation in activities rather than overtly badging the engagement as climate change focused. Projects will still be assessed and measured on climate engagement outcomes.

The project delivery period is April 2026 to end March 2027, when all funded activity must be completed. 

The total value of the Climate Engagement Fund in 2026-27 is £275,000

You can apply for a grant of between £25,000 to £80,000 for your project.

The deadline for applications is 23.59 on Sunday 1 March 2026

Please see examples of previous projects funded on the Scottish Government website: www.gov.scot/publications/climate-engagement-fund/pages/overview

To apply for a grant, please complete and submit the application form  

Strong applications will: 

be evidence-based with: 

• a clear understanding of proposed activities and expected outcomes and impact 

• a credible methodology, with consideration of participant recruitment 

have a strong 'golden thread' with:

• a well-defined purpose, audience, outputs, and outcomes 

• comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and risk management 

• demonstrate awareness of, and connections to, Scotland's wider climate engagement landscape – e.g. Community Climate Action Hubs, Just Transition Fund 

set out a value for money rationale: 

• why government funding is required for the proposed activities 

• how the project balances the expected outcomes, impact and scale with the use of evidence, budget and resources 

• A full definition of value for money can be found in the following link to Scottish Public Finance Manual. 

Key considerations 

• larger organisations: should focus on how the project demonstrates additionality beyond core activities  

• smaller organisations: should make sure they can establish credibility to deliver successfully 

This is based on feedback from previous funding rounds.

Further information on the Climate Engagement Fund can be found here, including on previously funded projects: 

https://www.gov.scot/publications/climate-engagement-fund/

The Scottish Government's Public Engagement Strategy, Net Zero Nation, can be accessed at:

https://www.gov.scot/publications/net-zero-nation-public-engagement-strategy-climate-change/