Shetland to benefit from new Green Participatory Budgeting activity
We’re pleased to announce our Green Participatory Budget Project for Shetland – Climate Action Ting.
The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub have successfully secured funding from The National Lottery Community Fund and the Coastal Communities Fund from Shetland Islands Council. We now look forward to distributing grants of up to £7500 to community projects seeking to take climate action. The funds will be allocated via public vote at an event held in Mareel on the 14th March 2026. Community organisations will give a presentation to a public audience in a bid to secure votes for their project. Those with the most votes will receive grants up to £7500 until the allocation has been used. A total of £40,000 is available and will be distributed to progress climate action projects in Shetland.
Over the Autumn/Winter, community organisations interested in applying are encouraged to attend one of the planned events to understand how the process works and how to apply. The first of these sessions takes place on the 8th November at Islesburgh Community Centre where community groups will be encouraged to share their experience with climate action projects to inspire project design and development. December will see another event, this time online which will explain how the public vote in March 2026 will work and give some examples of projects which have previously been supported by similar participatory budgeting audiences. Lastly, in January applications will open, and the Highlands and Islands Hub team will be on hand to support groups through the application process. Details of these events will be available here very soon.
Highlands and Islands Climate Hub Community Development Officer for Shetland, Andrea Sanchez Quiroz said:
“I’m so pleased to have been awarded this funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Coastal Communities Fund from Shetland Islands Council. Being able to share it with communities on projects that residents are most excited about is incredible. I can’t wait to see what projects come to the table. As part of the pre application process, I’d love to engage with community groups that are interested in dipping their toes in the climate action water as well as those well versed in delivering projects that fight the climate crises. The Climate Ting Project is a huge opportunity to learn from one another as well as secure funds for project delivery.”
Highlands and Islands Climate Hub Chief Executive Officer, Joan Lawrie said:
“The Climate Action Ting project is an incredible way to showcase and encourage community decision making. At the Hub, we’re huge advocates for inclusion and love the PB model for its ability to allow communities to make decisions on where public monies should be spent. I’m very thankful to the National Lottery Communities Fund and the Coastal Communities Fund from Shetland Islands Council for trusting us with this important work. One of the reasons I love participatory budgeting is because regardless of the outcome of the voting system, attendees learn more about what’s going on within their communities. I’ve experienced groups come away with what might be considered unsuccessful as their project didn’t manage to secure funds however they’ve had the opportunity to tell a room full of likeminded people about their project. It’s incredible to witness.”
Read more about Climate Action Ting here and keep your eyes peeled for announcements on the upcoming events. We were thrilled to launch Climate Action Ting at the Shetland Climate Festival which took place as part of the Highlands and Islands Climate Festival on Saturday 13th September.