From grassroots projects bringing communities together to new ideas for a fairer, greener Edinburgh, there’s plenty to explore in this month’s newsletter!
November also brings two big dates for the ECCAN calendar - our Autumn Assembly, Many Communities, One Table, and our online Annual General Meeting. We’re sharing the latest from across our network, including community-led climate action, campaigns worth getting behind and new opportunities to get involved.
Plus, discover upcoming events, funding opportunities, local jobs and ways to volunteer. Here’s a glimpse at what’s happening across Edinburgh this month!
What’s been happening at ECCAN?
Over the past month, we’ve joined Edinburgh councillors at City Chambers for a screening and discussion of the People’s Emergency Briefing, visited Bridgend Farmhouse for our October Climate Bites and celebrated the fourth Edinburgh SOUP, where local people came together to fund grassroots community ideas.
We’ve also added all 26 of this year’s Greenlight-funded projects to our website, making it easier to explore the brilliant work happening across Edinburgh and discover ways to get involved.
Join us for our Autumn Assembly and AGM
Wednesday 11th November | Autumn Assembly: Many Communities, One Table
Join us at Greyfriars Charteris Centre for a day exploring how food can bring people together, build connections and strengthen our communities. Expect shared food, conversation, creative workshops and plenty of opportunities to meet others across the network.
We’ll be heading to The Auld Hoose afterwards for a special People, Planet, Pint meetup, open to everyone!
Monday 23rd November | ECCAN Annual General Meeting
Our online AGM is an opportunity to reflect on the past year, hear what’s ahead and help shape ECCAN’s future. All members can vote in the re-election of our Board, and becoming a member is free!
Upcoming events across Edinburgh
There’s plenty to get involved in this month, including:
5–8 November | Edinburgh’s Radical Book Fair: Books, talks and discussions exploring social and environmental change.
7 November | Earth in Common Composting Workshop: Learn practical composting skills at Trinity Community Croft.
14 November | People’s Emergency Briefing: A film screening and facilitated discussion at Edinburgh Quaker Meeting House.
16 November | Communities Engaging in Nature Conference: Explore community-led approaches to nature recovery at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
24 November | Artist as Advocate: Join ECCAN’s Arts and Culture group for a walk and conversation exploring nature, place and creative practice.
28 November | ReMode Collective Youth Sewing Workshop: A free opportunity for young people to learn sewing, repair and clothing customisation skills.
Funding opportunities
Looking for funding for a community project? This month’s newsletter includes grants for local organisations working across climate action, biodiversity, poverty prevention and community development.
Opportunities include the Edinburgh Airport Community Fund, the Source to Ocean Action Recovery (SOAR) Grant, the AEB Charitable Trust and the International Tree Foundation’s community tree planting programme.
You can also explore more opportunities through the Funding section of our website.
Have your say and get involved
There are lots of ways to contribute to shaping Edinburgh’s future.
We’re inviting members to help develop ECCAN’s new Policy Circle, creating a space for community voices to influence local climate and environmental policy.
We’re also sharing a proposal for a basic income for farmers in Scotland, opportunities to help shape Edinburgh’s new Poverty Prevention Grants Programme, and a campaign exploring whether Edinburgh could go car-free for the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2027.
Elsewhere across the network, Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative has launched a new community share offer, while Edinburgh Remakery is crowdfunding to provide 50 refurbished devices to people experiencing digital exclusion.
Jobs and volunteering
Looking for a new role or a way to contribute to community climate action?
This month’s newsletter includes vacancies with Changeworks, Parents for Future Scotland, The Conservation Volunteers and Friends of the Earth Scotland, alongside opportunities in community food and creative education.
There are also plenty of ways to volunteer, from gardening and growing at Bridgend Farmhouse and Lauriston Farm to helping with cargo bike rentals at BANZAI Bikes or sharing practical skills with Edinburgh Tool Library.
There’s much more to explore in the full newsletter, including upcoming events, funding, community opportunities and ways to get involved across Edinburgh.