Seedcorn Fund
Applications currently closed!
Next funding round will be announced in 2026.
For reference, you can still read our guidance on the application process, however details may change between rounds.
Need some inspiration? See what projects we have funded in the past!
If you have any questions about any stage of the application process, please email bruno.santos@midlothianclimateaction.org.uk.
Young Changemakers (£2,000 Fund)
You can apply for up to £250. The Young Changemakers Fund is designed to engage children and young people (up to 25) in climate-related activities. This fund supports projects that educate, inspire, and involve youth in environmental action, especially during the summer holidays.
Examples of what you could use the fund for include workshops on gardening or upcycling, nature-based activities like tree planting or building insect hotels, climate-themed arts and crafts sessions, or organising a woodland litter pick.
Growing fund (£4,000 Fund)
You can apply for up to £500. The Growing Fund supports small-scale projects that enhance community gardens, green spaces, and sustainable growing initiatives. Whether starting a new project or improving an existing one, these grants aim to support communities around sustainability, biodiversity, and outdoor engagement.
Examples of what you could use the fund for include purchasing tools, seeds, or compost, installing water butts, compost bins, or raised planters, building supporting structures (e.g., trellises, greenhouses), improving communal spaces or wildlife-friendly areas, planting saplings or wildflowers to boost local ecosystems.
Community Action Fund (£9,000 Fund) NOW CLOSED
You can apply up to £1,500. The Community Action Fund supports new and existing projects to help them launch, grow, or become more resilient. Whether piloting an idea or building your capacity, these grants aim to empower community-action that focus on mitigation or adaptation to climate change, protecting natural spaces, or creating a fairer, healthier and more sustainable future.
Examples of what you could use the fund for include starting a repair café, community orchard or swap-shop, installing community solar panels or rainwater harvesting systems in your community building, organise a tree-planting action or plant a native wildflower meadow that supports local pollinators, undertake a citizen science project, organise a training or workshop to fill a skills gap or training need, get vital equipment that will help support your projects.
Who can apply?
Any constituted, non-profit distributing, and community-led group or organisation based in, and working in, Midlothian can apply!
If your group is not constituted and without a bank account, you could ask another group/organisation which is constituted, for example your local Community Council or Community Development Trust, to apply on your group’s behalf.
If you don’t have access to a constituted group, please get in touch!
How can I apply?
To apply, please email bruno.santos@midlothianclimateaction.org.uk with:
- A complete application form.
- Your Constitution/Governing document (if your don’t have one, please read our Guidance).
- A recent bank statement for the account the grant will be paid into to confirm details
- If leasing or working in public/private property, evidence of permission to carry out work
We ask for these documents in advance to speed up the process in case you are shortlisted. If you are not successful we will delete any documents shared, though we might keep your application.
Deadline for applications is on a rolling basis until all funds are awarded.
Each week we will award grants on a first come, first served basis as long as you meet our basic funding criteria.
Key Dates
- Project Completion & Reporting: 15th March 2026
What happens if I’m successful?
If your application is successful, you will receive a Grant Letter which needs to be signed by the organisation who holds the funds. We may also request a Risk Assessment (depending on your project).
Once we receive your signed Grant Letter, you will receive your funds in your bank account.
If you have any questions about the application process or need support drafting any documents, we’ll be more than happy to help! Please get in touch using the details at the top of the page.
What are the reporting requirements?
Once you’ve made your purchases and completed your project you will need to send us a short report, any receipts from your purchases and some photos of your project.
Please read our Application Guidance for more details.
The deadline for submitting reports and receipts is Sunday, 15th March 2026.
How will my application be scored?
We want to ensure transparency in our selection process. These are the guidelines we use to choose which applications get shortlisted.
Your application must meet these two essential criteria to be considered:
- Alignment with your chosen fund’s specific aims
- Feasibility to deliver the project within the agreed timescale.
Note: We understand unforeseen challenges may arise during your project that may delay it or need changes to its initial purpose. If this happens, we’ll work with you to find solutions.
Please read our Application Guidance for more details on the specific criteria for each fund.
The panel will also check if the proposed budget fits with the funding proposal. The panel will then make a decision on who to award the grant funding to based on the total score.
The panel might decide to part fund a project, if funds are limited or only part of the project fits the category above.
Sharing your project
Short Presentation or Talk
We ask you to give a short talk or presentation about your project at a Hub event during the project delivery or within the next financial year. We’ll work with you to schedule this at a convenient time. While this is not a requirement for the grant, we want to encourage learning between groups and would love for all grantees to take part.
Social Media
When sharing your posts on Social Media, please tag us (@MidlothianCan) and use the hashtag #MidlotihanClimateAction so we can follow your updates. You can find us on:
Do i need to be a member of MCAN?
You don’t need to be an MCAN member to apply but you will need to join before getting your funds.
Membership is free, enables your group to have a say on the future direction of the hub and network, and ensures that your group is informed of the hub and network’s activities and opportunities. The application process is simple via the online application form here.
The Seedcorn Fund is administered by the Midlothian Climate Action Hub, a community-led initiative in partnership between the Midlothian Climate Action Network and Midlothian Community Action. The Hub is funded by the Scottish Government to encourage community-led climate action across Midlothian.
If your project is the result of a partnership of 2 or more organisations, you can apply for our Collaborative Projects Fund of up to £2,000.
Applications are currently close. To stay up to date about future rounds, please subscribe to our newsletter.
