We are happy to announce that nearly £10,000 of funding has been distributed to projects as part the East Lothian Climate Hub’s Community Climate and Nature Action Grant funding programme! Best of luck to these projects in carrying on their amazing and inspirational work.
We will be re-iterating our grant programme for 2025-26. Please get in touch at hello@eastlothianclimatehub.org if you’d like to provide feedback about this process. We will announce the next round of funding here and on our social media channels.
Friends of Winterfield – Winterfield Wildlife Garden
Friends of Winterfield, a community group in Dunbar, created a wildlife garden in Winterfield Park, enhancing biodiversity with saplings and hedging. Volunteers regularly maintain the area, but the group seeks funds for additional tools, gloves, and a storage box to support more community participation and ensure proper care for the garden in its early stages
Pencaitland and District Community Council – PAD Wombles
PAD Wombles aim to improve biodiversity through bulb planting along verges and greenspaces, benefiting pollinators and enhancing the local environment. They also plan a hedgehog conservation project with feeding stations and webcams, encouraging residents to engage with local wildlife. The project fosters community pride and environmental stewardship
Tranent Wombles – Forest Garden Celebration
Tranent Wombles transformed a public area into a thriving forest garden for biodiversity and community use. They seek funding to host a celebration event with entertainment, workshops, and activities, raising awareness about the garden’s impact and fostering ongoing community engagement
St Adrian’s Church Eco Group – Biodiversity Garden
St Adrian’s Church in Gullane enhanced its garden as a community and wildlife space, with wildflower areas, bird boxes, and improved accessibility. The group plans to further biodiversity efforts with more wildlife boxes, signage, and a produce-sharing box, promoting sustainability and environmental care
The Ridge – Biodiverse Urban Gardening
The Ridge SCIO in Dunbar is addressing biodiversity loss caused by urban expansion by enhancing its community gardens and teaching gardening skills. The project includes creating a patchwork of biodiverse spaces across new housing developments, fostering environmental appreciation and community collaboration
HeatHack – Community Workshop
HeatHack will deliver a workshop to 6–12 community groups, focusing on heating efficiency in community buildings. The interactive session covers thermal comfort, retrofit strategies, and funding options to support sustainability and community needs. By empowering participants with actionable insights, HeatHack aims to reduce emissions, energy costs, and the risk of building closures, while fostering a stronger network of environmentally conscious groups in East Lothian
Tyninghame Community Farm – Green Manures for Biodiversity
Tyninghame Community Farm promotes sustainable farming through agroecological practices. Funding will enable the purchase of green manure seeds to improve soil health and boost biodiversity. This enhances habitats for pollinators and beneficial insects while preparing land for future cultivation, and lovely wildflowers. The farm’s work supports food security, reduce agricultural emissions, and foster community engagement through education and volunteering opportunities
Sustaining Dunbar – Beehive Garden Project
Sustaining Dunbar’s Beehive Garden at Dunbar Nursery provides children with opportunities to grow food, observe wildlife, and play imaginatively. Funding will support the purchase of a battery-powered mower to maintain paths and growing areas sustainably. The garden promotes hands-on learning, environmental awareness, and wildlife conservation, fostering early connections to nature and enhancing the nursery experience for students, staff, and residents.
GetOut Outdoor Learning CIC – Climate Action Forest School
GetOut will run a Forest School project for P6 students at Yester Primary School, focusing on climate action and sustainability. Over six weeks, children will learn about biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and practical ways to combat climate change. This immersive experience aims to nurture environmentally conscious adults and create a replicable model for other schools across East Lothian
Campie Primary School Parent Council – Garden Gang
Campie Primary’s Garden Gang project aims to create a sustainable vegetable garden for pupils. Children will learn to grow, maintain, and harvest vegetables, linking practical skills with learning objectives. The project enhances teamwork, environmental awareness, and healthy eating habits while teaching about sustainability and seasonal foods
Our Community Kitchen – Inclusive Garden Development
Partnering with Tynebank Resource Centre, this project revitalises a garden to grow food, foster biodiversity, and promote inclusivity. The garden supports individuals with complex needs, provides fresh produce for community meals, and hosts volunteer opportunities. Funding will enhance wildlife habitats, refurbish furniture, and purchase hedgehog houses, bird boxes, and native plants. The initiative builds community connections, encourages outdoor activities, and fosters environmental awareness
The Fraser Centre – Wee Green Week and Festival
This community hub in Tranent will host educational and practical activities during Green Week and the Wee Green Festival in March 2025. Events include workshops on fast fashion, wildlife gardening, and sustainability, alongside a reuse event and environmental storytelling. Aimed at all ages, the initiative promotes environmental awareness, links local groups, and empowers individuals to take climate action
Fraser Payne – Sustainable Toolkit for Small Businesses
This project develops a digital toolkit and blog series to guide freelancers and small businesses in East Lothian on implementing sustainable practices. Resources include templates, case studies, and practical advice on reducing environmental impact. The initiative fosters a culture of sustainability, strengthens local businesses’ resilience, and contributes to community-wide climate action.
