May Funding Finder

Welcome to the latest Funding Finder from the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub. This guide details current funding opportunities which are designed to support climate action both generally and in specific adaption or mitigation measures. This guide is published on a monthly basis, new funds are marked with a star.


 

⭐ CARES - Community Energy Generation Growth Fund | 25th June 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £250,000

The Community Energy Generation Growth Fund can help community organisations with grant funding, advice, and loan funding to progress your renewable energy projects. Support can be at the feasibility, development or construction stages of a project.

Communities interested in applying are encouraged to attend the upcoming fund webinar hosted by CARES to gain an overview of the fund’s objectives, eligibility criteria, and the application process and support available from the Local Energy Scotland team.

The webinar will take place on Thursday 29 May 2025 from 6pm-7pm on Zoom. Register here.

 

⭐ Climate Engagement Fund - Scottish Government | 8th June 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £80,000

Groups and organisations can apply for funding to help people understand how climate change affects their lives and what actions they can take.

The Climate Engagement Fund will support groups to act as ‘trusted messengers’ in their communities, and lead climate change initiatives that reach all parts of society build understanding enable participation in policy development encourage climate action.

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

The project period is August 2025 to 31 March 2026, when all funded activity must be completed.

Funding cannot be used to cover capital costs.

⭐ SSEN Powering Communities to Net Zero Fund | 25th June | Mitigation

Max award: £20,000

The Powering Communities to Net Zero fund has recently reopened with two funding strands: Low Carbon Technology fund and Physical and environmental resilience fund.

The Low Carbon Technology Fund is for third sector organisations to apply for grants to go towards the purchase of new technology including Solar Panels, Battery Storage, Heat Systems, Renewable Energy, Smart Heating Controls, Energy Efficiency Measures and EV Charging.

The Resilience Fund is available to enable communities to apply for grants that will bolster community-led physical and environmental resilience measures.

The fund’s eligible area is the North of Scotland distribution network.

 

 

Closing Soon

 

Community-Led Local Development Fund | 30th May 2025 | General

Max award: £10,000

This fund is a partnership between the Highlands & Islands Climate Hub and Highland Third Sector Interface.

Third sector organisations are invited to apply to the Hub for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects which develop sustainable and/or resilient communities. Communities can apply to HTSI under the themes of enterprising & growing communities, and inclusive & engaged communities.

More info

Patagonia Innovation Environmental Grants | 31st May 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £11,596

Grants are available to small grassroots activist environmental organisations in the UK and Ireland that are working to protect local habitats and frontline communities through bold, original actions.

Grants of between US$5,000 and US$15,000 are available. Only one proposal is accepted per group, per fiscal year (1 May - 30 April). Only non-profit organisations with a non-governmental status, doing environmental work in the UK or the Republic of Ireland can apply for funding.

The Company is happy to fund risk-taking, off-the-beaten-track groups.

There are two annual deadlines:

  • 31 May for a response by the end of August.

  • 30 September for a response by the end of December.

Applicants should take the eligibility quiz on the Patagonia website. If the proposed work is eligible, applicants will be directed to the application form.

More info

⭐ Benefact Group - Movement for Good | 2nd June 2025 | General

Max award: £1,000

You can currently nominate a charity to enter a £1,000 draw via the Movement for Good from the Benefact Group.

Nominations close on the 2nd June 2025, and the more nominations a charity receives, the more entries they get to the prize draw.

For this prize draw, there are 50 donations of £1,000.

More info

D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust | 3rd June 2025 | General

Max award: £6,000

The funding is for charitable work in the UK that addresses the objectives of the Trust, which are:

  • The advancement of the arts.

  • Health and medical welfare.

  • Environmental protection or improvement.

Grants generally range from £500 to £6,000. The majority of grants are one-off grants for one year.

More info

Better Community Business Network Grant Initiative | 8th June 2025 | General

Max award: £3,000

There is a total funding pot of £36,000 each year, with 12 grants awarded annually. The following types of organisation may apply:

  • Community, self-help or voluntary groups.

  • Charities, including local branches of national charities.

  • Organisations with charitable aims.

To be eligible, all organisations and community interest groups must be registered with a recognised governing body (such as the Charity Commission or Companies House) for a minimum of 18 months (they should have annual accounts available and submitted). If selected for a grant award, applicants will also need to provide their organisation’s articles of association or constitution, demonstrating clear objectives related to community interest and improvements.

Round 1 opens on 28 April and closes on 8 June 2025. Shortlisted applicants notified on 2 July 2025. Awards announced on 16 July 2025.

More info

⭐ Naturesave Trust | 15th June 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: £5,000

We are looking for grant applications from charities, community groups, and organisations who are working to connect communities to nature through:

  • Arts and cultural activities

  • Community gardening

  • Green gyms

  • Eco anxiety and mental health

  • Training a community with green skills

  • Conservation volunteering

  • Urban nature programmes

  • Social prescribing

  • Access to nature

  • Community wildlife surveys

  • Nature mindfulness

More info

Community Cycle Parking Grant | 21st June 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: not stipulated

The Community Cycle Parking Grant supports improvements in places like transport hubs (e.g. bus stations, ferry terminals etc), schools, residential areas, and community venues.

Local authorities and community organisations can apply for items such as cycle parking hoops, sheltered cycle parking or public bike repair stands.

Applications are welcome from both the public sector and the community sector.

More info

Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant | 21st June 2025 | Mitigation

Max award: not stipulated

The Workplace Active Travel Infrastructure Grant returns with an increased budget and a renewed focus on encouraging employers to improve facilities for staff who travel actively to, from, or during work.

Open to businesses, charities, public sector bodies, and not-for-profits, the grant can be used to install secure or conventional bike shelters, bike repair stations, improved changing/showering areas, and drying facilities for outdoor clothing.

This scheme which helps support active travel become part of everyday working life is a great opportunity to create healthier, more sustainable working environments.

More info

 

Sustainable Spaces

 
 

National

 
 

Local & Regional Funds

 
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April Funding Finder