The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund seeks to inspire, encourage, and enable communities to explore and deliver ambitious ecosystem restoration projects locally. It also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of local ecosystem restoration and address barriers faced by community-led efforts.
This Fund is supported by the Carman Family Foundation, the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, which is managed by NatureScot, and others. Inspiring Scotland is administering this funding.
In 2024, the Neighbourhood Ecosystem fund was launched, providing funding and support for community-led ecosystem restoration projects across Scotland.
In the first round, 14 projects were successful with their applications and received £146,000 of funding. Additionally, each project will receive £1,500 to be spent on fundraising support to support the future development and growth of the projects.
The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund will reopen for applications in 2025. We will publicise when the fund will open.
Ecological surveys, wetland restoration, pond excavations, peatland restoration and biodiversity surveys are all projects that will be supported.
Projects are located in 12 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas with 8 in rural Scotland and 6 located in Scotland’s towns and cities.
The Calton Hill Conservation trust is funded by the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund to undertake surveys to inform a biodiversity management plan.
Learn MoreCove Woodland Trust is funded by the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund to apply for pre-application and planning permission from Aberdeen City Council, undertake excavation work for their pond, and purchase supplies to support planting, fencing, safety and monitoring .
Learn MoreEaster Breich Wood Community Group is funded by the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund to commission an ecological survey to identify biodiversity improvements for their pond/woodland.
Learn More
Catriona is passionate about the role of collaboration, innovation and creativity in addressing social challenges. She combines her experience in public, private and third sector policy and practice in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Before joining Inspiring Scotland, Catriona worked with Creative Carbon Scotland to develop knowledge, research, capacity and support for Scottish cultural organisations....
Find out more
Erica joined Inspiring Scotland in 2020 and was instrumental in launching Creative Communities and Rural Communities Ideas Into Action, two community-led development programmes. She brings with her over 20 years’ experience in change management, financial strategy and commercial delivery roles. A US native from New York City, Erica holds an MBA from the Wharton business....
Find out more
The Neighbourhood Ecosystem Fund is filling a gap in the landscape by funding the development stages of locally-based ecosystem restoration – There is need for more of this.
If you are seeking to make a difference and invest in ecosystem restoration led by communities in Scotland, and would like to become a funding partner for the Neighbourhood Ecosystem Restoration Fund,we would like to hear from you. Contact the team at nature@inspiringscotland.org.uk
We work with experts from the voluntary, public, private and academic sectors. Get in touch if you want to help us build a better Scotland.
Contact usA note on privacy
Inspiring Scotland will only use the personal details you provide here to respond to your enquiry and will not use them for any purpose, unless you give permission and agreed during any follow-up discussions.
Your details will be held on the server of our third party website provider host for 3 months but not for longer than is necessary, and will not be added to any marketing databases. By completing this form you are agreeing to the terms of Inspiring Scotland’s Privacy Statement