Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund Now Open

Last week saw the launch of the second round of the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund (Monday 20 January 2025), which supports community-led project groups in Scotland to develop local nature restoration projects.

The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund seeks to inspire, encourage, and enable communities to explore and develop ambitious ecosystem restoration projects locally. It also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of locally-led ecosystem restoration and address barriers faced by communities.

The first round of funding included projects to support freshwater and wetland habitats, undertake an ecological survey of the aquatic, amphibian and invertebrate biodiversity of ponds and woodlands, and to develop plans for community-led peatland restoration.

Community groups can apply for up to £13,500. The deadline for applications is midday Monday 3rd March 2025.

Funding will be administered by Inspiring Scotland and is supported by the Carman Family Foundation, the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (managed by NatureScot) and other funders.

Erica Judge, Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland said:

“We’re pleased to open the second round of the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund. Communities have a wealth of knowledge and passion for their local areas – community groups can bring more nature and biodiversity back to Scotland’s diverse places.

“We want to help communities develop their ideas for ecosystem restoration into a pipeline of deliverable projects. The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund is filling a gap in the landscape by funding the development stages of locally-based ecosystem restoration. The response so far has shown that there is very much an appetite and need for this work.”

Bill Carman of the Carman Family Foundation said:

“It has never been more important to revive Scotland’s damaged, degraded and destroyed ecosystems. Local community groups are deeply connected to their local areas and are well placed to design ambitious and meaningful projects which can have a lasting positive impact. We are excited to reopen this fund for applications, providing more opportunities for communities to spearhead this crucial work.”

NatureScot’s Head of Funding Iain Sime said:

“It is great to see initiatives like the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund tackling the unprecedented nature-climate crisis within local communities, helping us to bring about the nature transformation Scotland desperately needs. Our local communities across Scotland are vital for steering and helping achieve positive and sustained change that benefits people and nature.”

The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund helps communities develop their ideas for ecosystem restoration into a pipeline of deliverable projects.  We know that communities are at different stages of this work and that it can be challenging to get support for the early stages of projects.   

• Community groups can apply for up to £13,500
• Place-based community groups with an income of under £200,000 can apply  
• Projects should focus on the development and feasibility stages of undertaking ecosystem restoration, rather than physical delivery.  
• Successful applicants will receive up to £1,500 in professional fundraising support in addition to their grant. 
• Projects must be delivered between 1 June 2025 – 31 March 2026
• The deadline for applications is 12pm (midday) Monday 3 March 2025.  

For more information and how to apply, please visit inspiringscotland.org.uk/fund/neighbourhood-ecosystem-fund