Funding / Opportunities
Moray CAN Small Grants Fund - Opening Soon
The Moray CAN Small Grants Fund opens on Monday 4 May and closes on Monday 15 June at 5pm.
We offers small grants to support local action on climate and nature across Moray.
Individuals: can apply for up to £200
Community groups and organisations: up to £2,000
We welcome applications from both new and established groups, as well as individuals with ideas to support climate action, nature restoration and stronger local communities. Full guidance and application form will be available when the funds is officially open.
Thinking of planning a nature project in Moray? Check out this practical guide — developed by Sean Reed Ecology — it’s designed to walk you through the essentials of how to seek funding and make sure your projects are sound.
Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust
The Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust funds projects that support horticulture, including creating gardens or garden developments, conserving garden structures, plant study trips, publications, and plant‑conservation research.
Apply before the next trustees meeting: 15 August 2026 Find out more here.
Moray Council Community Identified Benefits Portal
Introducing the new Moray Council Community Identified Benefits Portal. This platform allows local community groups to request specific support from council suppliers or contractors, enhancing community projects and causes. It also allows suppliers to view requests and submit offers to deliver. Find out more here
Highlands & Islands Environment Foundation
The Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation (HIEF) are accepting applications for the next round of funding, with an Expression of Interest deadline of Wednesday 13th May. Community-led groups aiming to protect and restore nature are encouraged to apply for grants, ranging from £5,000 to £20,000. There are also opportunities to receive match-funding towards a Crowdfunder campaign (more here). More information on how to apply, and the types of projects supported, can be found on our website here. Any groups interested are encouraged to contact louis@hief.scot for feedback on their proposal prior to applying.
Just Transition Funding - Community & Social Enterprise Capital Projects - Moray
Up to £2.5 million is available to support community and social enterprise capital projects that help Moray and the Northeast transition towards net zero while strengthening local economies. Eligible bids can request £100,000–£500,000 in one‑year funding for projects that contribute to:
Tackling child poverty or fuel poverty
Improving climate resilience for communities
Advancing nature restoration and biodiversity
Projects must take place in Moray, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and be led by a registered charity, business, or public-sector body.
Deadline: 12 noon 22 May 2026 Find out more and apply here.
CARES Community Building Fund
Through The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), community groups can access support to install renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels.
A wide range of community buildings are eligible, with grants covering up to 80% of project costs, up to £80,000.
This is a practical way to reduce energy costs, improve efficiency and strengthen local sustainability.
Application deadline: The Community Buildings Fund will close to applications at the end of October 2026, or when funding is fully allocated, whichever is sooner. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis on receipt of fully submitted applications,
The Pebble Trust
Offering grants of up to £10,000, this trust supports small to medium-sized projects that contribute to a fairer, more sustainable, and low-carbon society. Projects must aim to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and promote ways of living that respect the planet’s resource limits.
Applications are welcome from charities, community groups, businesses, or individuals, as long as the project benefits the wider community and aligns with the Trust’s charitable objectives. The fund prioritises projects based in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, including Moray. There are no deadlines – applications are accepted year-round, and decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Community Care Fund (Caremark)
The Fund provides small grants up to £3k to support projects that improve wellbeing, connection and quality of life in local communities.
The fund welcomes applications that enhance community spaces, including community gardens and green or outdoor spaces, where people can come together, feel supported, and enjoy the benefits of nature. Nominate a local project here. Deadline for nominations 31st May.
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
Linder Foundation
This fund supports land-based projects focused on biodiversity, species preservation, sustainable farming, and habitat improvement. Grants average £15,000 and must cover at least 50% of project costs. Projects should involve community engagement or volunteers and aim for local or regional impact. Trustees meet quarterly throughout the year. Find out more here.
Scottish Land Fund
Grants ranging from £5,000 to £1,000,000 are available for community-led and community-controlled organisations across both urban and rural Scotland. Eligible groups must be defined by a specific geographic area and demonstrate a significant positive impact for the wider community.
Applicants will also receive guidance and support from a Scottish Land Fund Adviser, helping them to test and develop their ideas.
Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
Paths for All - Ian Findlay Path Fund
Grants are available for charities, community groups, third-sector organisations, and National Park Authorities to deliver projects that improve path networks and encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling across Scotland.
Funding ranges from £10,000 to £100,000, with 30% match funding required. For projects at an early stage, the fund can cover up to 100% of design costs
Applications on going. Find out more here.
Energy Saving Trust – Plugged-in Communities Grant Fund
Grants are available for community transport organisations across Scotland to help cover the cost of purchasing or leasing zero-emission vehicles. This fund supports the transition to cleaner, greener transport and aims to reduce emissions within community transport services.
Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
SEAD Fund (Scottish Education and Action for Development)
SEAD provides small grants (£250) to community groups and charities for projects that promote global citizenship, sustainability and social or environmental/climate justice. Find out more here.
Nature Save Trust
The Trust funds UK-based projects that advance sustainable development, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Typical grants range from £500 to £5,000, supporting initiatives such as habitat restoration, pollinator planting, wildlife gardens, pesticide alternatives, conservation volunteering, and community-led environmental education. It operates three funding windows per year, each with a specific theme. Next funding window will reopen in January 2026.
Find out more here.
Community Energy Generation Growth Fund
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.
SSEN Transmission Regional Fund
This fund supports strategic, transformational projects that benefit communities across the north of Scotland, offering grants between £40,000 and £500,000.
Applications will reopen in 2026 .The fund supports projects focused on skills and employability, community identity, and tackling fuel poverty.
Eligible applicants include not-for-profit organisations operating within the SSEN Transmission network area.
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
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.
The Banister Charitable Trust
This trust offers capital grants to UK registered charities for projects focused on conservation and improving the UK’s physical and natural environment. Grants can range from under £10,000 to over £100,000, supporting activities like habitat restoration, wildlife areas and land purchase. Applications must be made in writing with project details and budget. No set closing dates. See the Charity Commission entry for full details on trust and how to contact.
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.
Culture for Climate Scotland
This is an excellent funding resource providing funding options for arts organisations, who have sustainability/environmental work/projects/goals. There’s also comprehensive links to other funding sources too.
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.