The Scottish government’s Climate Challenge Fund, which funds projects designed to address the threat of climate change, has announced its latest round of funding.
Since its inception in 2008 the Climate Challenge Fund, overseen by the Keep Scotland Beautiful campaign, has allocated more than £104 million (€121 million) to more than 1,100 community-led projects aimed at raising awareness of climate change, building a sustainable legacy and working towards a carbon neutral Scotland. The fund’s Capacity Building Programme also offers support free of charge to help community-led organisations across Scotland develop their capacity to engage in initiatives which work to tackle climate change, providing training, peer-to-peer education and networking opportunities.
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our society today, but it’s a challenge that communities across Scotland are responding to with enthusiasm and imagination thanks to the support of the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund. Keep Scotland Beautiful has been proud to manage and develop the Climate Challenge Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government for the last decade. In addition to providing tailored support for projects awarded funding, we are delighted to offer free training, events and networking opportunities for any Scottish-based, community-led organisation wanting to take action on climate change.”
The 2019-21 funding round will support 87 projects in total: 65 multiyear projects are set to receive ongoing funding; while 22 new projects have been accepted. The new funding recipients include:
- Arran Eco Savvy, which will receive £293,638 (€342,728) to build community awareness of home energy efficiency and emissions reduction on the Isle of Arran;
- SCOREScotland, which has been allocated £282,867 (€329,793) for initiatives to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills in Edinburgh, including a community fridge, food sharing schemes and repair workshops;
- Thurso Community Development Trust, which will receive £122,568 (€142,908) to establish a community growing space with the dual aims of reducing food miles and providing local residents with education on growing food, reducing food waste and how food choices can affect wider climate issues; and
- Gilded Lily CIC, which will receive £178,518 (€208,077) for its Waste Into Wishes project, supporting women in the Glasgow area to reduce waste; with activities including upcyling workshops, community meals and swap shops for unwanted goods.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “We all know the significant threats posed by climate change. It is a pressing global issue requiring action on an international scale, but positive and meaningful change can, and must, also take place at a local level. This funding will allow a network of initiatives to continue to give people opportunities to embrace low-carbon living and do their bit to protect our planet, including car-sharing initiatives, making buildings more energy efficient and promoting sustainable, healthy food growing.”
