Grant Programmes – All grant application programmes are currently paused. Further updates will follow.
The Environmental Key Fund provides funding through four different grant schemes: a Community Activity Fund, a community grant scheme, a small grants programme and a main grants scheme.
Application Deadlines
The closing time and dates for receipt of applications are 12 noon on:
2026
5th March, 4th June, 3rd September and 3rd December
Community Activity Fund
This scheme provides grants of up to £300 – £850 for projects which consist of:
- A community group with open membership
- Any form of membership structure
- A bank account in the community group’s name
- A community purpose based on non profit
Examples of the type of projects which this scheme will support include grass roots community groups to carry out activities and ensure basic operational and event costs,s including such things as hiring meeting spaces. Paying accreditation and affiliation fees, eg for Sports Scotland in the case of football leagues, refereeing costs. The funding would be sent directly to groups for support and administration purposes after a few basic verification checks. Eligible groups for this type of award would include Scouts, Cubs, Girl Guides, Boys Brigade, After School Clubs, Junior Football Teams, Seniors clubs, Pensioners Groups, Toddlers play groups.
Community Grants Programme
This scheme provides grants of up to £2,000 for projects which either:
- Provide or improve a public green space
- Encourage positive use in public green spaces
- Remove litter and waste from public green spaces
- Provide or improve biodiversity in public spaces
- Encourage environmental education and engagement
Examples of the type of projects which this scheme will support include small-scale environmental improvements to a public green space, improvements to a wildlife area or encouraging access to public green spaces to encourage education, the purchase of all-weather equipment to allow for all-year access to green spaces and community volunteer litter removal.
Small Grants Programme
This scheme provides grants of up to £20,000 for projects which either:
- provide or improve a park or other public amenity for leisure or recreational purposes
- conserve biodiversity at a specific site
- maintain, repair or restore a place of worship or building of historical or architectural significance
- Improve energy efficiency
- Reduce fuel poverty
Examples of the type of projects which this scheme will support include: small-scale environmental improvements to a community space or play area, improvements to a wildlife area or garden or the provision of disabled access ramps to a community hall or church.
Please note, this grant scheme is focused on providing funding for small-scale community-based projects and not for part-funding larger-scale initiatives. As such, projects eligible to receive funding under this grant scheme must have a total project cost of less than £10,000.
This grant scheme also aims to fund groups that cannot easily access other funding or have limited capacity to manage larger projects.
Start by reading the Small Grants Programme guidance notes.
Ensure your project fits the criteria for this grant programme. When you have done so and have confirmed that your project is eligible, click the button below to go to the next step in the process.
Main Grants Programme
This scheme provides grants of up to £100,000 to projects which either:
- remediate contaminated land or water
- reduce or mitigate the effects of pollution
- provide or improve a park or other public amenity for leisure or recreational purposes
- conserve biodiversity at a specific site
- maintain, repair or restore a place of worship or building of historical or architectural significance
This grant scheme will provide 100% funding for projects where this ‘funding need’ can be clearly demonstrated. However, applicants are, where possible, encouraged to source other match funding for projects supported through this scheme.
Start by reading the Main Grants Programme guidance notes.
Ensure your project fits the criteria for this grant programme. When you have done so and have confirmed that your project is eligible, click the button below to go to the next step in the process.