Climate Engagement Fund opens to support rural and island communities

Rural and island communities across Scotland are being encouraged to explore a new opportunity to strengthen local understanding of the climate emergency and inspire meaningful action.

The Climate Engagement Fund (CEF) is now open for applications, offering grants of £25,000 to £80,000 for projects running between April 2026 and March 2027.

With a total pot of £275,000, the fund aims to support organisations that can act as trusted messengers—those rooted in their communities and well placed to spark conversations about climate change in ways that feel relevant, practical, and grounded in local experience.

Supporting Local Leadership on Climate Action

The CEF recognises that Scotland’s rural and island areas face unique challenges and opportunities in responding to the climate emergency. From crofting communities adapting to changing weather patterns, to island groups exploring renewable energy solutions, local knowledge is central to shaping a fair and effective transition.

The fund is designed to help organisations lead engagement activities that create lasting impact, with a focus on one or more of the following priorities:

• Reaching all parts of society, including people who may be less engaged or harder to reach
• Influencing high‑impact lifestyles, supporting behaviour change where it can make the biggest difference
• Building knowledge and skills, helping people understand how climate change affects their daily lives and what is being done across Scotland to respond
• Highlighting the benefits of climate action, such as lower heating costs, improved health and wellbeing, new job opportunities, and enhanced local nature
• Empowering communities to shape local decisions, using place‑based and participative approaches to ensure people have a voice in climate policy
• Strengthening consensus, helping maintain broad public support for climate action and the protection of natural resources

For rural and island groups, this could mean anything from community workshops on home energy efficiency, to youth‑led projects exploring local climate impacts, to participatory mapping of nature‑based solutions.

Delivering Scotland’s Public Engagement Strategy

The Climate Engagement Fund plays a key role in delivering the Scottish Government’s Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change, which is built around three core objectives:

• Understand – improving public awareness of climate change and its local relevance
• Participate – enabling people to get involved in shaping climate solutions
• Act – supporting individuals and communities to take practical steps that reduce emissions and build resilience

By supporting organisations that already have strong relationships within their communities, the fund aims to ensure that climate engagement is meaningful, inclusive, and rooted in lived experience.

A Timely Opportunity for Rural and Island Innovators

For many rural and island areas, climate action is not an abstract concept—it is tied to land, livelihoods, and long‑term community resilience. The Climate Engagement Fund offers a chance for local organisations to lead the conversation, share knowledge, and help shape a future where communities are better prepared and more empowered.

Applications are now open, and eligible organisations are encouraged to consider how their local insight and community connections could support Scotland’s wider climate ambitions.

Be inspired and see details of the funding recipients for the 2025-26 fund at: Climate Engagement Fund – gov.scot 

Apply at: Climate Engagement Fund