Central Scotland Green Network

Community growing projects invited to apply for funding

The Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) ‘Growing Food Together’ Fund is once again offering a cash boost to community growing projects across the whole of Scotland.

Supported by the Scottish Government, projects can apply for part of the £100,000 fund that aims to foster community engagement in growing and learning about food, as well as promoting healthy eating and outdoor exercise.

The Green Action Trust is managing the fund as part of its work to drive forward the delivery of the Central Scotland Green Network.

Following the success of last year’s fund, the Trust is again expanding the application criteria to welcome applications from across Scotland. Community growing projects are a key part of creating an environment that allows Scotland and its people to thrive. The Trust is particularly interested in applications that fit community growing into Scotland’s recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and deliver aspirations to become a Good Food Nation.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, commented:

I am delighted that the Growing Food Together Fund continues to support community growing projects. These projects are a key way in which the people of Scotland can enjoy a wide range of social, community, health and environmental benefits.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic can still be felt, and it is more important than ever that people can continue to access greenspaces and growing projects which are crucial in promoting healthy physical and mental wellbeing. This funding is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in community growing spaces and enjoy the myriad of health benefits that these projects can provide.”

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive at the Green Action Trust, commented:

“We are delighted to be playing a role in delivering this important fund and supporting communities to develop their outdoor growing spaces. These projects are fantastic, as they enable people to come together, build more resilient communities, and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of growing their own fresh food.”

The closing date for applications to the CSGN Growing Food Together Fund is 5pm on Monday 8 August 2022.

To apply, please download the application form below. Guidance on completing the form is provided in the document.

Any queries about the fund or the application process can be emailed to funding@greenactiontrust.org

Ayrshire Food Hub needed funding to create an educational garden, so we were thrilled to receive funding from the Growing Food Together Fund. It allowed us to realise our ambitions for the site and it’s great to see the raised beds and polytunnel being built by volunteers and used by members of our local community.

Mary Laidlaw
Secretary, Crossroads Community Hub (recipient of Growing Food Together Funding in 2021)
Projects can apply for a share of
100,000
to foster community engagement in growing and learning about food.