Central Scotland Green Network

CSGN Growing Food Together Fund 2023 Now Open

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.

Funded 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.

Following the success of last year’s fund, the Green Action Trust, which is managing the fund, 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 local responses to the present cost of living crisis and deliver aspirations to become a Good Food Nation.

Joe FitzPatrick, Scottish Government’s Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, commented:

“I am delighted 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.

Recent events including Brexit, Covid 19 and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine have brought to the forefront of people’s minds the importance of access to greenspaces and growing projects which are crucial in promoting healthy physical and mental wellbeing. The joy which can be found from planting a seed, watching it grow, harvesting and cooking your own grown produce can never be underestimated.

This funding is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in community growing spaces and enjoy the myriad of health and social benefits which these projects can provide.”

Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of 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 Friday 14 July.

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

The CSGN Growing Food Together Fund is funded by the Scottish Government.

This project wouldn’t have been possible without this funding, a huge difference has been made within our community. The funding enabled us to buy all the integral tools and materials for this project as well as wood to create planters for new beds and to help us develop the existing beds we have.

Brenda Young
Funding Manager for Aberdeen Foyer, recipient of funding in 2022
Community growing projects can apply for a share of:
£100,000
to foster community engagement in growing and learning about food.