More of this year’s Greenlight funded projects announced!
We’re delighted to introduce three more projects receiving funding through ECCAN’s 2026–27 Greenlight Fund, each creating practical and creative opportunities to engage with climate and nature in our everyday lives.
From sustainable arts and nature-based activities for children and young people to community growing and cooking, these projects demonstrate something important about climate action: done well, its benefits are felt on many levels — in our own lives, in our relationships and communities, and in the environment we’re working to protect.
Art Buds Collective – Earth Stars
Art Buds Collective, working in partnership with Starpic Project, will bring creative environmental activities to children and young people in Bingham.
Based at Bingham Community Centre, the project will use sustainable arts and outdoor activities to explore climate action and our relationship with nature. Children attending Starpic’s after-school clubs will experiment with activities including land art, sculpting with natural materials, natural inks and dyes, fibre arts and eco-printing.
Young volunteers will also be trained and mentored to help deliver sustainable creative and environmental activities, building their confidence, skills and experience while helping embed the programme within the community for the future.
The project will culminate in a community exhibition at Bingham Community Centre and Café, sharing what participants have created and learned with families, friends and the wider community.
The Green Team – NeuroSpicy
The Green Team will deliver NeuroSpicy, a co-designed nature programme for neurodivergent young people aged 14–18.
Running at Bawsinch Nature Reserve, the programme will create a safe, sensory-friendly outdoor environment where young people can spend time in nature, build friendships and take part without the pressure to mask their differences.
Monthly sessions will include nature exploration, sensory activities, fire lighting, outdoor cooking and shared meals, nature art, hammock time and environmental action. Young people will also help shape the programme around their own interests and needs.
Through regular time outdoors and opportunities for peer connection, the project aims to support wellbeing and confidence, strengthen friendships and help young people develop a deeper connection with nature.
Fresh Start – Growing Connections
Fresh Start will strengthen its community growing work in Pilton and Muirhouse, helping more local people take part in practical climate action close to home.
The project recognises that climate action can sometimes feel distant, expensive or inaccessible, particularly for people experiencing poverty, homelessness or isolation. Community food growing offers a practical way to take part while also bringing people together, improving local green spaces and increasing access to fresh, seasonal food.
Greenlight funding will support regular growing sessions alongside seeds, compost, tools, planters and cooking resources. Participants will be able to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs, learn how to cook with seasonal produce, reduce food waste and spend time outdoors.
The project builds on Fresh Start’s existing growing, cooking and community food work, creating more opportunities to volunteer, share skills, cook together and care for local growing spaces.
More Greenlight projects to come
These three projects join a growing number of community-led initiatives receiving support through the 2026–27 Greenlight Fund.
From improving our wellbeing and building skills to strengthening relationships and creating healthier neighbourhoods, they show how the benefits of taking action for climate and nature can extend well beyond environmental outcomes alone.
We’re continuing to review applications and will be announcing more Greenlight-funded projects over the coming weeks.
Keep an eye on ECCAN’s website, newsletter and social media for the next announcements.