Climate Action Hubs programme: evaluation
An independent evaluation conducted by The Lines Between on the impact of the community climate action hubs.
6. Conclusions and key learning
This section presents conclusions and a summary of key learning from the evaluation of the Climate Action Hubs programme.
Findings from the evaluation indicate that the Climate Action Hubs programme has played an important and valued role in strengthening community level climate action across Scotland. Hubs have helped embed climate awareness, skills and behaviours in communities by providing accessible opportunities for learning, participation and collective action. The flexible, place based model has enabled Hubs to respond to local priorities, build strong relationships with communities and partners, and act as trusted intermediaries in conversations about climate adaptation, resilience and policy.
Hubs have been most effective where they have built credibility as collaborative, community‑focused organisations able to convene local groups and build new partnerships. These relationship‑building functions are difficult to replicate through national‑level programmes and highlight the added value of having locally rooted staff who understand community contexts and can facilitate discussions about climate impacts and adaptation.
The evaluation also highlights that capacity and funding stability are essential for maximising impact. Annual funding cycles have constrained longer‑term planning, staff retention and the ability to embed consistent approaches across regions. Hubs reported the benefits of having dedicated staff funded through the programme, enabling them to dedicate resources to community climate action, broaden their reach and support a wider range of organisations. Longer‑term funding would allow Hubs to strengthen strategic planning, deepen partnership work and continue developing the infrastructure needed for sustained climate action at community level. Additionally, clearer and more proportionate reporting requirements would help to protect delivery time and reduce administrative burden.
A further learning point relates to the value of peer learning and shared practice across the Hub network. Opportunities for collaboration such as joint events, shared funding bids or informal knowledge exchange have supported the spread of innovative ideas and enhanced the quality and efficiency of delivery.
Finally, the evaluation shows that community‑level climate action can result in a range of secondary benefits, including increased wellbeing, financial savings during a cost‑of‑living crisis, and new green job opportunities that strengthen Scotland’s wider climate sector. These wider benefits reinforce the value of the programme not only for meeting its core climate-related objectives, but also for supporting community resilience, social cohesion and economic opportunity.