Funding / Opportunities
Funding Applications to Moray CAN for 2025-26 will reopen Monday June 23. Funding will be available for projects in Moray that support climate action or nature restoration. There will also be the opportunity to apply for a small grant (£250) to host an event during Scotland’s Climate Week. Check out previous projects funded, and browse other open funding opportunities below.
Just Transition Fund
Now open for applications, this fund offers capital funding to support projects in Moray, Aberdeen, and Aberdeenshire that contribute to a fair and sustainable transition to net zero.
This is a £500 million, ten-year Scottish Government commitment, and funding for this round must be spent between 1 September 2025 and 31 March 2026. Projects can request between £500,000 and £5 million, and additional weighting is given to those that include co-funding.
To be eligible, lead applicants must be a registered charity, business, or public sector body, with a strong connection to Moray, and demonstrate how their project supports the move away from carbon-intensive industries while creating jobs, skills, and economic opportunities.
You can apply for capital funding for things like:
Land, buildings, equipment, or inventory
Research & Development (where capitalisation criteria are met)
Projects that deliver on the fund’s core outcomes – particularly those related to jobs and skills in the green economy
The fund is competitive, and all applications will be assessed against set criteria. Collaborative bids are welcome, and support is available to guide you through the process.
Key Dates
Deadline: Tuesday 17 June 2025
Notifications issued: 14 July 2025
Project delivery: 1 September 2025 – 31 March 2026
Online info sessions:
• Thursday 29 May, 11:00–12:00
• Monday 9 June, 14:00–15:00
To register for a session or ask a question, email: justtransitionfund@gov.scot
Full guidance and application forms are available here:
Just Transition Fund – What you can apply for
Let us know if you’re thinking of applying!
Action Earth Grants
Now open! Volunteering Matters Action Earth has small grants of up to £250 for volunteer groups across Scotland in urban areas or near population centres who are boosting biodiversity through planting and habitat builds. This could include creating or improving community gardens, shared greenspaces, wildflower meadows, local ponds, community woodlands and other wildlife homes. Find out more and apply here.
Community Energy Generation Growth Fund
Now officially open! The Scottish Government is investing £9 million to support community energy projects and energy efficiency improvements, aiming to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, create jobs, and stimulate local investment. The funding includes £3.5 million dedicated for the Community Energy Generation Growth Fund.
This Community Energy Generation Growth Fund will support community groups passionate about renewable energy, who want to develop and operate projects such as installing wind turbines and solar panels. In the previous pilot phase of this fund, most funding was for capital costs, with Local Energy Scotland’s technical framework consultants providing additional support.
To find out more visit their website.and for full details visit the website. For case studies and background can be also found on the Local Energy Scotland’s website.
The CARES Community Buildings Fund
The CARES Community Buildings Fund offers grants to assist community organisations in lowering their building’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. This is achieved by funding the installation of renewable technologies such as heat pumps, battery storage, and solar (PV) panels, along with some energy efficiency measures.
The fund is accepting applications until the end of October 2025, or until all funding is allocated, whichever comes first. Find out more here
SSEN Powering Communities to Net Zero Fund
This funding assists communities in central southern England and northern Scotland in becoming more resilient to climate volatility. It supports the adoption of low-carbon technologies that contribute to decarbonising society. There are two funding streams available - low carbon technology and physical and environmental resilience. The deadline for submitting an application is Wednesday, 25 June 2025.
Find out more here.
Sea-Changers Scottish Learning Fund
The new Scottish Learning Fund aims to support early-stage or small community-based groups in Scotland involved in marine conservation activities. It seeks to facilitate learning, knowledge sharing, networking, and skill development among these groups.
Scotland is home to many examples of effective marine conservation practices. The fund aims to enable organisations to learn from one another, seek advice, share good practices, network, and collaboratively develop their skills. Find out more here
Riverwoods Development Grant
This funding will help grow opportunities to expand river woodlands and restore riparian habitats. The end goal is to enhance river health, improve habitats, boost species and ecosystem resilience and diversity, and improve access to nature.
Funds can support scoping, initial engagement, planning, and design activities for these vital river woodland creation and restoration projects. Applications close 28 July noon.
Find out more here.
BUPA Foundation Green Community Grants
Open for applications from 1 to 30 June 2025, administered by Groundwork UK. Previous grants were up to £2,000 for projects focused on the regeneration of green spaces in cities for community use, such as tree planting, the creation of an outdoor classroom or ‘forest school’ or establishing community allotments or gardens.
Find out more here.
The Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation
Offers grants of up to £15,000 to community-led projects that protect and restore nature. Find out about funded projects (including projects based in Moray) and apply here. Next Application deadline: 1st September 2025.
Grants to help businesses and social enterprises cut carbon
Businesses and social enterprises in the Highlands and Islands looking to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations can now apply to a new Green Grant Fund. The fund provides grants of between £20,000 and £250,000 towards projects that reduce carbon emissions and contribute to the region’s net zero ambitions. Find out more.
The green grants will cover between 10% and 40% of total costs of projects, or up to 50% for eligible applicants in remote and rural areas.
Scottish Landfill Communities Fund
Funding will only be granted to projects that fulfil one of six objectives. To check your eligibility and your if your project needs to fit within a designated location, find full information on the SEPA website.
Energy Redress Scheme
This scheme offers funding to support vulnerable people with their energy bills, the development of innovative energy related products or services and projects to empower individuals to reduce their carbon emissions. Funds available will be reviewed on a quarterly basis in January, April, July and October.
Funding Streams Available:
Main Fund: £27 million for projects seeking £50,000 - £2 million to support vulnerable households.
Small Project Fund: £1 million for projects seeking £20,000 - £49,999 to support vulnerable households.
Innovation Fund: £6 million for projects developing innovative products/services to benefit households, seeking £20,000 - £1 million.
Carbon Emissions Reduction Fund: £6 million for projects reducing UK carbon emissions and empowering households, seeking £20,000 - £1 million.
Climate Action Fund - Our Shared Future
The National Lottery Community Fund has a Climate Action Fund now open for applications. Grants between £1 million and £1.5 million over 3 to 5 years (min £500K), are available to support community-led projects that inspire more people to take climate action in their everyday lives. You do not have to be a climate or environment focused organisation to apply. To be eligible, applications must be submitted by partnerships consisting of a mix of organisations and sectors, and smaller groups working locally.
Landscape Connections - Hertiage Fund
£150 million pounds of funding is open to those who care for or can partner with National Parks and other world-class landscapes in the UK. The Fund will support our most precious landscapes which are facing immense challenges due to a changing climate, changes to agriculture and rapidly declining nature and biodiversity. Before starting your application, read more about applying for a Landscape Connections grant.
The John Ellerman Foundation - People and Planet
This funding stream offers grants of £10,000 to £50,000 per year for three years to UK charities and non-profits working on natural environment conservation. Priorities are around include enhancing ocean health, building healthier ecosystems on land and in freshwater, and addressing climate change and pollution impacts. The scheme supports UK and UK Overseas Territories projects. Applications have no deadlines and can be submitted anytime. Learn more here.
Useful Links to Funding and Funding Information
Scottish Rural Network Funding Search
Scottish Rural Network has teamed up with SCVO's Funding Scotland to provide a free local, online funding search for your charity, community group or social enterprise. Have a search here.
Environmental Funders Network
The Environmental Funders Network, gives the funding community the knowledge, networks and agency they need to address the key challenges of climate change. It aims to give a more strategically-deployed approach to environmental philanthropy.