Climate Action Ting Funding boost!
Applications for Climate Action Ting are open now!
The Highlands and Islands climate Hub look forward to engaging with Shetland communities to learn about their climate action ambitions. The Climate Action Ting project opened for applications on the 14th January and on the same day, Community Development Officer for Shetland, Andrea Sanchez Quiroz hosted an online event to ensure communities know how to get involved.
Climate Action Ting is a participatory budgeting project designed to support Shetland communities taking climate action. From the 14th January, community groups are invited to apply to be in with the chance of securing up to £7,500 to fund their project. Applications will go to a funding panel but the ultimate decision on which applications are successful lies in the hands of the residents of Shetland.
The project was originally funded by the Coastal Communities Fund from Shetland Islands Council and the National Lottery Community Fund making a total pot of £40,000 to be distributed. Shortly before Christmas, the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub were thrilled to receive an additional £20,000 from Foundation Scotland, bringing the total to £60,000! The full amount will be issued to Shetland via public vote. The public vote will take place within Mareel on 14th March 2026. All residents are welcome and encouraged to come along, learn about each applicant’s ambitions and vote for their favourite.
Highlands and Islands Climate Hub Manager, Joan Lawrie said:
“I’m so grateful to our funders, Shetland Islands Council Coastal Communities Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund and Foundation Scotland for believing in Climate Action Ting. I’m a huge advocate for Participatory Budgeting and understand the impact it can have within communities. It’s been invaluable to work with Shetland Islands Council who are experienced in delivering Participatory Budgeting projects while we aim to make Climate Action Ting the best event it can be.”
The Climate Action Ting project was launched in September 2025 at the Shetland Climate Festival which took place as part of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub’s Highlands and Islands Climate Festival. Since then, the Hub’s community development officer for Shetland, Andrea Sanchez Quiroz has been working to highlight the project to as many community groups as possible. Over the last few months, Andrea hosted an in-person event in Lerwick where attendees learned more about the opportunity and they shared their ideas for applications.
Community Development Officer for Shetland, Andrea Sanchez Quiroz said:
“It’s been such an amazing experience to share Climate Action Ting with Shetland communities, I’ve been so inspired by the application ideas so far, I can’t wait to see them progress. Being able to distribute funds to groups who I know work so hard for the benefit of their communities is such a privilege. To be awarded an additional £20,000 from Foundation Scotland is such an incredible feeling, I knew the project would be popular and therefore, competition would be tough as the Shetland communities are knowledgeable, creative and resourceful so to be able to award more projects is incredibly exciting.”
Andrea at a community engagement event in 2025