Greenlight Fund 2026-2027
Greenlight is ECCAN's seed grant fund for climate action projects delivered by community groups across Edinburgh.
Applications open 11th May 2026. Community members are invited to apply for grants ranging £250 up to £20,000.
Applications are open to ECCAN members only - if you're not already a member, you can join for free before applying.
How much can I apply for?
We have two funding pots this year, applicants will be decided in different ways.
MICRO GRANTS
A
£250 - £5,000
Decided on a rolling basis. No community vote required for grants up to £5,000.
MAJOR PROJECT GRANTS
B
£5,001 - £20,000
Decided by community member vote. Preference given to projects that involve multiple ECCAN members.
What kinds of projects do we fund?
Greenlight supports local not-for-profit and community-led organisations working on climate action in Edinburgh. We also accept applications from individuals on behalf of informal groups for smaller awards.
Projects should aim to reduce emissions, protect biodiversity, build community resilience, raise climate awareness, or support collaborative climate action. You'll find the full eligibility criteria in the application guide.
For larger awards we welcome projects that involve more than one member group. Use the Members Map to find groups near you.
This year we are particularly keen to fund:
Youth-led projects. We want to hear from young people taking the lead on climate action in their communities. Projects where young people are driving ideas and delivery are especially welcome.
Projects that widen access and participation. We prioritise projects that bring more people into climate action — particularly those who face barriers to engagement, including people from minority or disadvantaged communities.
Climate adaptation initiatives. As Edinburgh's climate changes, communities need to prepare. We welcome projects that help people understand, plan for, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change at a local level.
Carbon trading, offsetting, or market-based solutions
Equipment or activities that increase dependence on fossil fuels
Environmentally damaging activities
Commercial projects seeking to return a profit
Projects outside a community context
What we won't fund
Wondering what kinds of projects we support? Take a look at what we funded last year.
Micro to medium grants are decided on a rolling basis. Major project grants follow a fixed voting timeline.
Key Dates
MICRO GRANTS
A
£250 - £5,000
Applications open
11th May
Closure of offering ends when all funds have been awarded, with a target of 1st October 2026.
MAJOR PROJECT GRANTS
B
£5,001 - £20,000
Applications open
11th May
Application Surgeries
Late May
Applications close
15th June
Voting begins
17th June
Voting ends
10th July
Decisions announced
20th July
Ready to apply?
Applications are now open.
You can apply online here, or contact us if you require a paper form.
Want some help?
We’ll run applicant surgeries from mid-May, so you can discuss your application directly with the ECCAN team. Sessions are available online and in person - register below.
Need more info?
Not sure where to start? Our how-to-apply page walks you through the full process, step by step. You can also download our full Greenlight PDF guide from there.