Climate Engagement Fund
Fund to help build people’s understanding of the climate emergency, how it relates to their lives and how they can take action. The fund is currently closed.
Overview
The Climate Engagement Fund (CEF) is currently closed while we support eight organisations to deliver projects in 2026 to 2027.
The CEF offers funding for projects that help build understanding of climate change and encourage climate action.
It supports our Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change, which is a statutory requirement under the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
Funding
Since the Fund was launched in 2023, grants totalling over £1.3 million have been distributed across 24 projects.
Who can apply
Eligible organisations include community groups, trusts, colleges, universities, cultural organisations, environmental organisations and equality-based organisations with a registered address in Scotland. Applicants must be incorporated and not-for-profit.
Organisations can apply as a partnership, but cannot apply as lead organisation if they are a private sector business, local council, or primary or secondary school.
We welcome applications from partnerships, although there must be an eligible lead organisation, all partners must be aware of the application, and arrangements must be clearly defined.
How to apply
We will promote the launch of future funding rounds and update this page with full details on how to apply.
How projects are assessed
For 2026 to 2027, project proposals were assessed against three criteria.
Audience engagement – projects should use innovative or varied approaches and demonstrate a clear rationale for their activities, target audiences, and engagement methods.
Building understanding - projects should help audiences connect climate change to their lives, recognise the benefits of climate action, and understand what is being done across Scotland to tackle and adapt to climate change. Topics can include clean heating, sustainable transport, flood resilience, protection of nature, and the circular economy.
Alignment with the Public Engagement Strategy for Climate Change – projects should demonstrate how their work contributes to delivery of the strategy.
Previously funded projects
You can find examples of projects we have funded in previous years on the funded projects pages.
Related initiatives
The CEF is part of a wider programme of work on climate change engagement, including:
- 24 Climate Action Hubs supporting community engagement across Scotland
- the Climate Action Schools framework, supporting climate literacy among children and young people
- the Net Zero Nation website and Let's Do Net Zero marketing campaign
- Scotland's Climate Week, an annual series of events celebrating climate action
- the Carbon Neutral Islands project, supporting six islands to become carbon neutral by 2040
Contact
Email: climatechangeengagement@gov.scot.