funding for community groups
The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub is pleased to be able to financially contribute to communities taking part in the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival.
We have two stages of funding available exclusively for Community Groups.
£150 event contribution
Invitation to apply for funding and support for Marketplace style larger events
Historically, this opportunity has been very popular and we anticipate that demand will be high for 2025. We really want to see as many communities as possible throughout Highland, Orkney and Shetland have the opportunity to take part in events during the festival therefore, we’re operating on an event contribution basis.
We are currently aware of some organisations experiencing issues with our online funding application. If you are experiencing any issues, please download the word document funding application form below and return via email to funding@hiclimatehub.co.uk.
Community Event funding
Open to community or voluntary organisations in Highland, Orkney or Shetland Islands Local Authority areas
Contribution of £150 to your organisation to stage an event from 13th September - 8th October 2025 as part of the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival
Applications for funding close on Monday 14th July at 5pm.
We will advise on your funding application no later than Monday 21st July and will consider applications on a rolling basis to be able to advise sooner.
The sooner you get your application to us then the sooner we will be able to advise and allocate funding to you.
All events funded must be confirmed with dates/time by 22nd August 2025 for inclusion in the Highlands & Islands Climate Festival Programme
Your event must be environmentally sustainable, please see our guide on Sustainable Events for further details
Your proposal must not be for events or activities which are otherwise funded from another source
To receive funding, you must be a member of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub.
To apply please complete the short form below. You will receive an automated response on submission to confirm that we have received your application.
Can you bring groups together in your area to create a larger event?
In 2024, we held or partnered in very successful marketplace style events in Lochaber, Caithness and Shetland where several groups came together to one larger style event. Events were held in halls or outdoors and it gave a spirit of collaboration and networking alongside enabling community members to see the scale of work taking place in their area and enjoy different activities and themes on the day.
We are looking to partner with a lead organisation in each area of Highland and Orkney (we already have a partnership event underway in planning for Shetland) to host similar events. You can either work as a collaboration across many organisations or nominate yourself as the lead organisation for your area to bring partners together.
We have funding available and also can provide Community Development Officer support and the support of our wider team to help you to plan and deliver the event. Our one criteria is that within your event there should be time and space for a Climate Engagement workshop which we will either provide the tools or the staffing to support. Community views from that engagement will help to shape our Climate Conference on 8th October 2025.
The event must take place between 13th September to 8th October
Events must take place in Highland or Orkney Local Authority areas
Your proposal must not be for events or activities which are otherwise funded from another source
Your events or activities must be environmentally sustainable, please see our Sustainability Guide for more details
To receive funding, you must be a member of the Highlands and Islands Climate Hub
Your event should bring together a wide range of groups in your area and include a range of activities
We can support with funding including venue & equipment hire, refreshments, activities, marketing and cover some staffing and organisational costs
Submission of proposals open on 19th June 2025
Submissions closed on Monday 21st July
We encourage applications as soon as possible so we can determine the funding which needs to be made available. Please submit your proposal outlining costs and date(s) of event using the button below.
