June Updates: Festivals, Funding & Ways to Get Involved Across Edinburgh

As summer begins, communities across Edinburgh continue to come together through festivals, events, creative projects and climate action. Yet the unusually hot, dry weather and the fire on Arthur’s Seat also served as a reminder that the climate and nature crisis is already affecting the city around us, with consequences for local habitats, wildlife and communities.

This month brings opportunities to connect with others, apply for funding, discover local initiatives and get involved in community-led action across the city.

Here are some highlights from this month’s newsletter – click below to read the full update.

What we’ve been up to

May was a month of sunshine, connection and community action across Edinburgh. Alongside a fantastic turnout for our People’s Emergency Briefing, we launched GreenLight 2026–27, welcomed Becca Gallacher as ECCAN’s new Events Lead, and joined community gatherings including Mwamba’s monthly lunch at the Heart of Newhaven.

We were also delighted to see one of our GreenLight-funded projects come to life, as Networking Key Services presented Climate Conversations: Through Our Family Lens at North Edinburgh Arts, bringing people together through storytelling, conversation and shared food.

Festival season is here

You’ll find the ECCAN team out and about at a number of festivals this month, including Meadows Festival, Edinburgh Canal Festival and Edinburgh Climate Festival. These events are a great opportunity to meet others taking action across the city, discover local projects and find out more about how to get involved.

We’re also looking forward to Inchcolm Ark, a unique participatory artwork exploring climate change and rising sea levels through collective performance, sound and movement on Inchcolm Island.

Funding & support

Applications are now open for GreenLight 2026–27. This year, grants of up to £5,000 are available on a rolling basis, while larger grants of £5,001–£20,000 will be shortlisted and voted on by ECCAN members.

You’ll also find information in this month’s newsletter about funding opportunities from Midlothian Climate Action Hub, Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op and the ESHC Community Events Fund.

Opportunities to get involved

There are plenty of ways to get involved across the network this month. From community meals, workshops and film screenings to volunteering opportunities with organisations including Gorgie Community Farm, WHALE Arts and Shrub Co-op, there’s something for everyone.

We’re also sharing consultations, surveys and community opportunities, including the Blue Coastal Communities Survey, Edinburgh Tool Library Volunteer Assembly and Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival open call.

Jobs across the network

Several ECCAN members are currently recruiting, including North Edinburgh Arts, Impact Arts, Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust and Heart of Newhaven. If you’re looking for a new role in the community, climate or creative sectors, be sure to take a look.

For full details on all of this and more, click below to view our June newsletter.