Seedcorn Fund
Applications for our 2026-2027 Seedcorn round are now open!
The deadline for this fund is Monday the 8th of June, 2026.
Scroll down for more details on our fund, and download our guidance and application form to get started.
We are excited to hear your ideas!
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 hub@midlothianclimateaction.org.uk.
Community Action Fund (£15,000 Fund)
We only have one funding pot this year – 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. We are hoping that the projects create community, encourage accessibility and encourage a just transition.
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! You can apply again if you have applied for Seedcorn funding before, as long as your report has been submitted.
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 hub@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 the 8th of June, 2026.
Key Dates
- Application Due Date: 8th of June 2026
- Project Completion & Reporting: 15th March 2027
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 fill out our reporting form, send us any receipts from your purchases and send us some photos of your project.
Please read our Application Guidance for more details.
The deadline for submitting reports and receipts is Monday, 15th of March 2027.
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 the aims of our fund – supporting mitigation or adaption to climate change
- 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 additional criteria we score the applications on.
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
Learning & Sharing Meeting
This year, we are planning on organising a sharing and learning meeting for the groups that have received Seedcorn funding to chat about what they learned. 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.
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