Our Seedcorn Grants help community groups across Midlothian bring their ideas to life. From planting native hedges and wildflower meadows to youth-led climate action, the grants help local initiatives grow, thrive, and inspire others. Since 2023, we’ve had:
Explore some of these projects below and get inspired. Use the filters to see projects that match your interests, and start thinking about how your ideas could become the next Seedcorn success story!
Appliances Testing to Reduce E-waste
- 2024-25
Newtongrange Development Trust ran a fully booked PAT training course for 12 volunteers, giving them the skills to safely test appliances in their charity shop. The new PAT kit helps reduce electrical waste while supporting the local community with safe, reusable items. The project strengthened volunteer skills and promoted a culture of sustainability and practical action.
Making a Thriving and Welcoming Community Garden
- 2024-25
Growing Families transformed their community garden into a more inviting and accessible space. New signs and seating areas now give visitors and Green Health Prescribing referrals a place to slow down and connect with nature. Extra tools and a garden shredder help manage the wildflower meadow and create homegrown compost.
Extending Native Hedges on Local Reserve
- 2024-25
Friends of Roslin Moat and volunteers planted around 500 native hedge saplings along the reserve’s boundary. Tree guards were used to protect the young plants from local roe deer. Across multiple sessions, adults and young people contributed, helping extend the hedge and strengthen the community’s connection to local nature.
Raised Beds and Bulb Planting
- 2024-25
Roslin Guerrilla Gardeners installed three raised beds filled with compost, bulbs, and small plants. They involved local schools for further planting, with around 40 pupils expected to take part in growing vegetables and creating a thriving community garden.
Accessible Thermal Imaging for the Community
- 2024-25
Penicuik Library of Things purchased a new thermal camera to help community members identify heat losses in the homes. The camera has already been borrowed multiple times and will help the community reduce energy costs and associated carbon emissions.
Water Capture & Storage for Local Growing
- 2024-25
Penicuik Community Gardeners designed and built a water storage shelter with support from local volunteers. The project helped share building skills across the community and will play a vital role in growing fruits and vegetables for the coming season.
Seasonal Community Events Engaging Kids and Their Families
- 2024-25
Newtongrange Community Garden ran seasonal events over autumn and winter with fun activities that helped connect kids and their families with the seasons. These included an Apple Harvest Day, Pumpkin Party, and stargazing with WWF Winter Wander.
Youth-led Climate Action Sessions
- 2024-25
Young people from Seeds of Disruption and Growing Families’ Wild Kidzran four climate action sessions across Midlothian. They planted 100 trees with Friends of Roslin Moat, cleared 11 bags of litter near Newbattle High School, and planted edible native plants at Burghlee Woods. Four earned Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards and all 14 are inspired to keep making a difference!
Pollinator Highway and Wildflower Meadow
- 2024-25
Penicuik Guerrilla Gardeners & Penicuik Pétanque Club created a pollinator highway from the town centre to the pétanque piste. Joined by local pupils, they installed recycled and wooden planters filled with perennial plants and sowed a new wildflower meadow near the piste, which they have now adopted long-term.
Community Cooking Sessions Preventing Waste Food
- 2024-25
Newtongrange Community Garden and Newtongrange Development Trust ran community cooking sessions and meals that fed around 150 people over 10 weeks. The project helped save food from landfill, taught cooking skills, and supported those facing food poverty and social isolation. This initiative brought the community together and boosted local pantry use.
Scything Skills and Meadow Management
- 2024-25
Midlothian Wildflowers and Three Hares Community Woodland brought new scything skills to Midlothian. They ran a workshop with expert Rob Brodie and bought tools to manage meadows and clear paths. The groups plan to share their knowledge and equipment with others to support biodiversity and climate action across the region.
Keeping Bikes Roadworthy for Longer
- 2023-24
Re-Cycles Penicuik got specialised bike tools for volunteers and session workers. The new equipment helps repair more bikes safely and efficiently, keeping them roadworthy for longer. This supports affordable, sustainable transport for the community, both making active travel more accessible but also diverting bikes from landfill.
Supporting Young Gardeners to Grow from Seed and Explore Rewilding
- 2023-24
Newtongrange Community Garden supported children in learning to grow from seed and explore rewilding. With gloves, coveralls, mini tools, plants, and guides for identifying plants and animals, the young gardeners discovered the joys of nature. All P2s call it their secret garden and one child has even inspired their parents to join!
Kickstarting a New Community Cultivation Initiative
- 2023-24
Cousland Smiddy Trust expanded their community allotments to kickstart a new Community Cultivation initiative. Raised beds, water butts and compost have made growing easier and more accessible. Fresh produce is now available to local residents and visitors to the historic Smiddy site.
Community River Monitoring on the Esk
- 2023-24
The River Influence Project gained essential equipment and resources to monitor the Esk catchment. This support allows them to expand their work safely, train new volunteers, and keep vital community research moving forward, helping to protect Midlothian’s rivers and the wildlife that depends on them.
Upgrading the Community Charity Shop
- 2023-24
Newtongrange Development Trust upgraded their online community charity shop with new clothes rails, storage boxes, a steam cleaner, and an iPad. Volunteers can now sort, prepare, and upload items faster and more efficiently. These improvements have helped increase revenue, created fresh opportunities for the team, and helped reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Curling Pond and Bird Hide Restoration
- 2023-24
Friends of Roslin Moat improved their local curling pond and bird hide, an important haven for local wildlife and walkers. Volunteers cleared and widened the pond with new tools and waterproof gloves, and the bird hide got a much-needed repointing. The area is looking great and even the frogs have returned!
Building a Thriving Community of Volunteers and Young People
- 2024-25
Roslin Guerrilla Gardeners installed new signage across the village to make their green spaces more inviting. Volunteers and local children used tools to plant vegetables and strawberries, while a new picnic bench provides a meeting spot for the group and park visitors. Branded T-shirts help the team share their work and recruit new volunteers, inspiring the community to get involved.
Equipping Volunteers for Hands-On Nature and Permaculture Work
- 2024-25
Midlothian Wildflowers got new tools, safety gear and resources to strengthen their hands on projects across Midlothian. The equipment helped volunteers learn new skills, deliver creative workshops and take part safely in tree planting and habitat work. With two polytunnels supporting year round projects, they are building skills in permaculture and community growing while keeping everyone safe and supported. Their annual plant sale also grew in scale, offering more native, locally grown plants and supporting the local economy.
Renewable Energy Exploration Kit for the Brownies
- 2023-24
1st Rosewell Brownies bought a renewable energy demonstration kit. The kit allows members aged 5-14 to explore and learn about renewable energy sources like wind and solar in a fun, interactive way. The kit will continue to benefit current and future Brownies and other local children’s groups.
Kitting Out Creative Activities in the Woods
- 2023-24
Health in Mind Midlothian kitted out their Branching Out project with outdoor tools, fire safety gear and camping kit. These nature-based sessions help people build confidence, learn hands-on skills and connect with nature through conservation, forest skills, and creative activities in the woods.
Community Orchard Planting
- 2023-24
Edgehead Village Committee planted a community orchard in the village park with 10 hardy fruit trees including apples, pears, and cherries. This orchard will provide delicious fruit for everyone to enjoy and create a welcoming home for local wildlife for years to come.
Heritage Apple Tree Planting Across the Village
- 2023-24
Roslin Guerrilla Gardeners planted 16 Scottish heritage apple trees in community spaces around the village. From the school to the medical practice, these trees are bringing nature closer to the community and brightening shared spaces for all to enjoy. The project sparked lots of positive feedback and even some unexpected cups of tea!
