Climate Action Hubs programme: evaluation

Executive summary

This report presents findings from an independent process and impact evaluation of the Scottish Government’s Climate Action Hubs programme. The programme was established in 2021 and has since expanded from two pathfinder Hubs to a national network of 24 Hubs across Scotland. It aims to provide communities with the resources, networks and confidence to shape and deliver locally relevant climate action that supports Scotland’s transition to a net-zero, climate-resilient future.

The evaluation used a mixed-methods approach aligned to the programme’s Theory of Change. Evidence was drawn from a review of over 300 monitoring and reporting documents, qualitative interviews and focus groups with 110 participants across all 24 Hubs, and an online survey of 175 respondents.

Key findings

• Delivery model: Hubs operate as locally rooted, flexible, place-based structures that adapt their models and activities to local priorities and contexts. This flexibility was consistently described as a core strength.
• Range of activity: Hubs deliver a wide mix of support and engagement, including small grants, training and learning events, convening and networking, the development of resources and toolkits, communications and outreach, and support for community participation in local and national policy processes. The variety across Hub activity supports the programme’s place-based nature and is a key feature of the programme’s success.
• Community awareness and engagement: Evidence suggests Hubs are contributing to improved awareness and understanding of climate change and local climate risks. Survey data indicates 88% of respondents agreed Hubs have helped bring more attention to local climate change issues and risks.
• Building community capacity and action: Small grants and practical support were widely viewed as key enablers of Hub impact in terms of building community capacity and driving climate action. In the first three quarters of 2025–26, Hubs awarded close to £1 million across 572 community projects, alongside the provision of wider non-financial support such as advice, mentoring and help to develop projects and funding applications.
• Policy influence: Hubs are supporting communities to engage with policy and decision-making, including by running workshops, supporting consultation responses and acting as trusted intermediaries between the public and policy makers. In the first three quarters of 2025–26, Hubs submitted 41 responses to local/regional consultations and 39 to national consultations. Survey data indicates 68% of respondents agreed that Hubs have provided opportunities for communities to engage in influencing policy and decision-making.
• Equity and inclusion: Hubs have broadened participation in climate action by targeting underrepresented groups and removing access barriers (e.g. cost, travel, childcare, physical accessibility and language barriers). Survey data indicates 75% of respondents agreed the Hubs have contributed to making climate action more equitable, diverse and inclusive.
• Partnerships and joined-up working: Hubs commonly act as convenors who bring together communities and organisations through shared climate goals and action. Survey data indicates 87% of respondents agreed the Hub helped bring people together locally to act on climate change.
• Wider benefits: In addition to climate outcomes, stakeholders described secondary benefits delivered through the programme, including improved wellbeing and reduced social isolation, household cost savings (e.g. through energy bills and circular economy activity), and the creation of local green jobs and capacity within the environmental sector.

Challenges and barriers

• Annual funding cycle: Short-term funding and late confirmation were widely described as disruptive, constraining long-term planning, staff recruitment and retention and the ability to build and sustain relationships.
• Administrative burden: Some Hubs described reporting and administrative requirements as time-consuming, diverting capacity away from delivery.
• Capacity and geography: Limited staff capacity, particularly in rural and remote areas, alongside travel constraints, can restrict reach and intensity of support.
• Role clarity and expectations: Some Hubs reported tensions in balancing national priorities with local expectations and navigating complex local landscapes where multiple climate bodies operate.

Recommendations

The report sets out recommendations to strengthen the programme’s future impact. These focus on: exploring options for longer-term funding and earlier confirmation; strengthening network-level coordination and peer learning; streamlining monitoring, evaluation and learning processes; building shared identity and public awareness; providing targeted support to enable consistent engagement with underrepresented groups; formalising Hub roles in policy processes; and providing clearer strategic direction while preserving local flexibility.